INDIANAPOLIS -- The Assistance League of Indianapolis, through 'Operation School Bell' has helped 57,000 children by giving them winter coats, hats, gloves, socks, pants and a book.
A'rayah Pastures, a third grade student at Forest Glen Elementary in Lawrence Township, helped them celebrate the milestone on Monday.
Children are referred by school personal from IPS and the Metropolitan School Districts of Lawrence, Pike, Warren and Washington Townships.
They are bussed to the 'Operation School Bell' shop, located in the IPS Forest Manor Professional Development Center.
Each child gets their own personal shopper, an Assistance League member, who will help them choose their new school items.
They receive a new winter coat, hat and gloves, socks, undergarments, and a belt. The children also receive two pairs of pants, a jumper or a skort, three collared shirts, hygiene items, a book and a duffel bag.
This is the 34th year that 'Operation School Bell' has helped children in Indianapolis.
In addition, Operation School Bell - Shoes began in 2000, providing new athletic shoes for more than 1,100 IPS students.
The program also includes children from the Metropolitan School Districts of Lawrence, Pike, Warren, Washington, and Wayne Townships.
