Operation School Bell rings in Eastpointe

EASTPOINTE — Students from Forest Park and Pleasantview elementary schools went on a stylish shopping spree Oct. 17 when the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan brought its Operation School Bell program to Eastpointe Community Schools.

The Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan, based in Rochester, is a group of volunteers who do philanthropic work in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. The nonprofit organization has a number of programs that benefit the community, including Operation School Bell.

During Operation School Bell, the Assistance League volunteers set up a temporary department store at Pleasantview and invited students to shop for new clothes and other items at no charge. The clothing hung neatly on racks, and each student who shopped picked out two shirts, one pair of pants, underwear, socks, a winter hat, gloves, a personal hygiene kit and a book.

All the clothing was brand-new. The students, too, will stay warm this winter as they each received a new winter coat. When trying them on, they were able to see how they looked with mirrors brought in by the Assistance League. The shoppers carried their new purchases in a duffel bag, which they got to keep.

“It went great,” said Carol Murphy, an Assistance League member who is one of several Operation School Bell co-chairs. “I love what I do. It’s a lot of work but it’s so rewarding.”

One of Murphy’s roles is to greet the students and pair them with a volunteer.

“Every student is assigned a personal shopper,” Murphy said. “I’ve had kids that tell me, ‘This is the best mall I’ve come to.’ It’s exciting for them. It’s exciting for us.”

While many volunteers were from the Assistance League, they also received help from three local companies — Miller Vein, First Merchant Bank and General Motors — who assisted the students with their shopping.

The group members shop year-round at Meijer, Kohl’s, Target, Walmart and Old Navy to purchase the clothing. Murphy also said that the Home Depot Foundation helped the Assistance League move into its new warehouse.

During the Oct. 28 Eastpointe Community Schools Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Christina Gibson provided an update on the district’s relationship with the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan.

“Operation School Bell has been coming to Eastpointe Community Schools for a number of years,” Gibson said. “The operation and flow of the donations to our students changed during the (COVID-19) pandemic, but we’re back to the regular flow.”

Approximately 85 volunteers participated in this year’s event.

“They became the personal shoppers for the students. Volunteers went around with students,” Gibson said. “Students got to pick out their own coats, their own outfits. All of the students at both schools, and even some students who were not able to make it, all got a duffel bag full of items. We are very grateful to all the volunteers that came from abroad."

Along with Operation School Bell, the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan operates several other programs, including “Assault Survivor Kits” for children and adults; “Wee Help” layette kits and safe sleep packages for newborns; and tutoring for elementary students. The nonprofit organization is funded in many ways, including from tributes and memorials, special fundraising events, individuals and corporate grants.

Money is also raised through the league’s resale shop. ReSale Connection, located at 204 S. Main St. in downtown Rochester, sells high-quality merchandise. Donations of gently used clothing and housewares are welcome during business hours. The store hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The store is closed Sundays and Mondays.

For more information on the Assistance League, to make a donation or to volunteer, call (248) 656-0414 or visit assistanceleague.org/southeastern-michigan.