Photo by David Schreiber Crescentwood Elementary fourth-grader KeVonte’ Demps is all smiles after choosing a book on baseball, his favorite sport, during the Operation School Bell event at Roosevelt Sept. 24.

Operation School Bell is the right fit for local kids

By Maria Allard
C & G Staff Writer

WARREN — When Crescentwood Elementary third-grader Antonina Nepa went shopping during the Operation School Bell event Sept. 24 at Roosevelt Elementary School, she made sure to pick up a “Hannah Montana” T-shirt, among other clothing.

Nepa was among about 250 students from both Roosevelt and Crescentwood who shopped until they dropped last Thursday through the aid of the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan.

Volunteers from the nonprofit organization helped the students shop for new blue jeans, shirts, undergarments, winter coats, hats and hygiene products at no cost to the children. Along with the clothes, children also received a coupon to Payless for shoes.

Operation School Bell is designed to provide brand-new clothing for elementary students who could use a little extra. Crescentwood and Roosevelt are part of East Detroit Public Schools.

“I felt really good,” said Nepa, who shopped with volunteer Barb Bakker. She said Bakker’s help made it “easier” to find things.

The Assistance League, located in Rochester Hills, provides new clothing every fall to children in local school districts, including Rochester, Pontiac, Clintondale, Oxford and Detroit. School social workers identify children to participate in the program.

Volunteers arrived at Roosevelt at 7:15 a.m. to set up shop. Jeans were arranged neatly in plastic containers; hygiene products were organized on tabletops; and shirts and winter coats hung on clothing racks. Students also got to choose a brand-new book and received duffle bags to carry all their belongings.

“Most of the clothes, we buy them from a wholesale (distributor),” Publicity Chairperson Betty Zych said. She said volunteers also shop at different stores for tops. They start as early as January to be ready for the fall.

Crescentwood third-grade student Zhane Cranford shopped around with volunteer Toby Collins. A new winter coat in a deep purple shade was one of many items she picked up. She said it felt “soft.”

“She has a lot of style,” Collins said of her shopping buddy.

“It was fun,” Cranford said.

John Kuenzel became an Operation School Bell volunteer through his wife, Carol. Kuenzel is a retired principal and central office administrator from Livonia, and Carol used to be a teacher.

“I think anything that helps kids succeed in school is great,” Kuenzel said. “Personally, it’s very rewarding because I feel good about what I’m doing. I’ve always tried to help kids.”

In addition to Operation School Bell, the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan has a number of programs staffed by volunteers and provided at no charge.

Assault survivor kits, for instance, are provided to survivors of abuse and sexual assault whose clothing is retained for evidence by police. There also is a Buddy Bears program that provides teddy bears to children in shelters, hospitals and other places. Link To Creative Teaching, Outreach, and Wee Help are other programs offered.

The organization will hold its Mistletoe Marketplace fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township. Patron tickets are $75, or  $65 if purchased prior to Oct. 20.

The event will include a luncheon, boutique shopping, an “elegant” raffle and a silent auction. For ticket information, contact Sue at (248) 375-2837 or via e-mail at sub ack@yahoo.com.

For further information on the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan, log on to www.semich.assistanceleague.org.