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OSB places clothes and books in children’s hands

By Rachel Olivier Neither restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic nor a move to a new location, 6640 Sunset Blvd., are slowing down the Assistance League of Los Angeles (the League) Operation School Bell (OSB) mission: to get school supplies, clothes and books into the hands of children in need. The women’s auxiliary organization, founded in 1919, contributes to the community, despite recent challenges. Debbie Roper, chair of the Anne Banning Auxiliary, and Kiel Fitzgerald, chair of OSB, both said that, while at times they had to be creative because of the public health restrictions due to the pandemic, they still were able to help 7,000 children in 2020. What does that help include? To get supplies to the kindergarten-to-fifth grade children who are experiencing homelessness or in the foster system or otherwise in need is a multistage process. Typically, children are referred through either Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) or other school counselors, teachers and principals. Volunteers stuff the backpacks with hygiene kits (soap, toothbrush, masks, shampoo, etc.) and school supplies (pencils, paper, erasers, crayons, etc.). Children also receive clothes, such as socks, under-

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wear, shoes, two sets of school uniforms and one set of street clothes; also included is a dictionary and one age-appropriate book. “Wheels” days One of the ways supplies are distributed to the children is through “wheels” days, when a 48-foot trailer filled with supplies is taken to elementary schools around Los Angeles for distribution. On those days, Roper says, OSB helps an average of 270 kids. They have about 18 “wheels” days scheduled throughout the year. New headquarters Both Roper and Fitzgerald are excited about the League’s new location. By mid month, they hope to be settled at the new chapter house, near Blessed Sacrament Church and Crossroads of the World. From the new headquarters, the volunteers will be revving up to distribute this year’s allotment of supplies to school children. Volunteers wanted Roper, who has been with the organization since 2002, and Fitzgerald, who joined in 2014, welcome new members. There are three levels of membership: members who contribute time during the day, professionals who may have more time in the evenings, or sustaining members who may not be able to actively contribute, but who still want to help the League. Active members contribute five workdays per month, sometimes at the chapter house and sometimes “out on the road” during “wheels” days. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health protocols are put into place during volunteer events. Volunteers who work directly with children need to take a tuberculosis test and undergo a background screening. Roper pointed out that the Assistance League of Los Angeles has many auxiliary groups to choose from, besides the Anne Banning Auxiliary and its OSB project, including a group for teens called the Assisteens. Roper and Fitzgerald further noted that they can and do take volunteers on an “episodic” basis. If there are people or groups who want to volunteer for an afternoon during the holidays, for example, there are ways to set that up. For more information, visit assistanceleaguela.org.

Neville Anderson, MD, FAAP Amaka Priest, MD Courtney Mannino, MD, FAAP Board-Certified Pediatricians

• We care for children 0-21 years old • Most PPO Insurance plans accepted • Complimentary “meet the doctor” appointments available

ABOVE: Reading to children at an OSB wheels event in 2018 is project chair Kiel Fitzgerald. BELOW: Two Anne Banning Auxiliary members help a child get fitted for clothes at one of the 2018 “Wheels” events.

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