Thunderbirds Charities has announced an award of $20,000 to Assistance League of East Valley for its signature program, Operation School Bell.

Through Operation School Bell, Assistance League of East Valley provides new school clothes, shoes and hygiene kits to elementary school children in need in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe and Kyrene School Districts. In the 2019-2020 school year, the organization provided a record 10,466 children with new clothing, uniforms, shoes, hygiene kits and other essential items. The children are recommended by school resource officers.

“Assistance League of East Valley is changing the lives of our vulnerable youth in the East Valley by supplying school clothing and essential items needed to attend school,” said Scott Jenkins, President of Thunderbirds Charities. “We believe in strengthening our local communities, and the best way to do that is to empower our young people through education. We’re honored to have a small part in helping our youth succeed.”

Assistance League of East Valley is an all-volunteer group that raises funds through its thrift shop in Chandler and through various events through the year. It is a chapter of a national nonprofit organization.

“The donation from Thunderbirds Charities makes a huge difference for the families of the students we clothe for school,” said Joyce Godfrey, president of Assistance League of East Valley. “Many of these families were hit hard during the past year, either by having jobs that were low paying but essential or being laid off from service industry jobs. Having uniforms and other school items provided this coming year is a relief to them. Thank you, Thunderbirds, for your support!”

Assistance League of East Valley

This grant is part of the Spring 2021 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.