Assistance League Coachella Valley

OPERATION SCHOOL BELL: Through Operation School Bell, new school clothes, shoes, hygiene kits, backpacks, and supplies are distributed to disadvantaged students attending public schools in the Coachella Valley. In 2023-24, the chapter provided new school clothes, shoes, and hygiene supplies to 4,450 disadvantaged students attending 46 schools in three school districts. Additional students were reached through program expansion including distributing backpacks and school supplies, supplying middle school and high school students with clothing, and hygiene items, as well as providing bedding, warm clothing and hygiene and school supplies to students from homeless situations. Additional clothing and supplies were purchased for inventory, enabling school administrators to distribute items throughout the school year as needs arose including the arrival of refugee and migrant students. Through a partnership with school nurses, 1,500 hygiene kits were provided to school nurses. The kits were used as teaching tools in Growth and Development classes for 5th graders and then distributed to students. The program expanded in the Coachella Valley Unified School District by providing the district wellness centers with clothing, hygiene and menstrual items, snacks, and sensory items. This program impacted 1,000 students in two months of operation.

SENIOR SERVICES PROGRAM: Through the senior services program, the chapter provides companionship, sponsors entertainment, and supplies clothing and incidentals to disadvantaged Coachella Valley nursing home residents. Musicians contracted by the chapter performed for residents at four low-income nursing homes. Chapter volunteers visited nursing homes, providing companionship to residents. Clothing, footwear, lap blankets and holiday gifts were distributed to residents. Games, puzzles, and reading materials were also distributed to residents. Over 600 seniors benefited from the program.

WE CARE FOCUS ON MILITARY FAMILIES: Our Assistance League chapter provides support to military families stationed at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. Annually, we host a Baby Shower luncheon for expectant mothers, both active-duty military personnel and spouses of active-duty personnel. Carefully selected gifts worth approximately $800 are distributed to each participating mother-to-be. Twenty-five mothers-to-be were honored at this year?s event. The shower is Assistance League's way to thank military families for their service and a way to support mothers-to be who may be far from home during an exciting yet challenging stage of their lives.