South Whittier School District families were able to receive free Target vouchers through Operation School Bell Wednesday, September 18th, at the Target in Santa Fe Springs to purchase new school clothes.
Operation School Bell is a philanthropic program through the Assistance League of Whittier, a non-profit organization located in Uptown Whittier. The families that are chosen to participate in Operation School Bell are screened for eligibility through their school and each student that meets the eligibility requirements receives a voucher. This year 120 South Whittier School District families received vouchers.
The Assistance League provides a voucher for each child with a set amount of money. Elementary school students received $120 and middle school students received $140. The vouchers are good toward school clothes and under garments only, and the voucher deducts sales tax in order to assure families that they receive the full value of each voucher.
The Assistance League is able to sponsor this annual event through revenue from their thrift shop in Uptown Whittier, which provides most of their funding. They also receive funding through private individual donations, an annual Community Support letter that asks for monetary donations specifically for Operation School Bell, and corporate and private foundation grants.