In late July, a group of volunteers with a Greeley chapter of a national nonprofit prepared uniforms for donation to seven schools in Greeley-Evans School District 6.

The Assistance League of Greeley is a 60-member service organization and one of 120 Assistance League chapters nationwide. The Assistance League was founded in California in 1935 and "empowers ordinary citizens to improve communities and transform lives through long-term volunteerism," according to the Assistance League website. Much of the Assistance League's philanthropic efforts focus on children.

A key project for the Assistance League and the Greeley chapter is Operation School Bell, an annual program that buys uniforms for students at Title I schools. A school classifying as Title I is based on poverty rates and student performance.

The Greeley volunteers gathered at the District 6 Warehouse on July 20 to organize and sort the newly purchased uniforms for delivery. The school district transported the uniforms to schools, and later the Assistance League volunteers set up at four different school sites to help with distribution before the first day of school on Aug. 12.

Operation School Bell is one of six philanthropic programs undertaken by the Assistance League of Greeley each year.

"We're very happy to do it because it's one of the ways we can support our community," Assistance League of Greeley member Kim Barbour said. "We have a lot of kids who wouldn't have the right kind of clothing to wear to school, and uniforms are an equalizing factor for kids so they can focus on learning."

Barbour said the Greeley chapter raised $40,000 to buy the uniforms, shirts and pants, for approximately 4,000 students from elementary through eighth grades. The Greeley volunteers worked with school staff in distributing uniforms at Maplewood and Centennial Elementary schools and Romero Academy's two buildings — kindergarten through third grade and fourth through eighth grade.

At Centennial in Evans, there are 426 students in first through fifth grades. Principal Angie McDowell said 97% of those students are from low-income homes. McDowell, who's been in the district for 18 years, said the Assistance League of Greeley has been helping schools for as long as she can remember and it's invaluable aid.

Centennial students wear blue, black or khaki pants and different colored shirts. The Assistance League gave the school 648 shirts and 552 pairs of pants.

"When they come to school, they're not worried about other little things," with their clothes, McDowell said. "It helps when you look good, you feel good. It's the confidence piece."

McDowell said in past years the school had extra uniforms, or pieces, and if a student came to school with a worn out shirt later in the year, Centennial staff had the ability to replace the item.

A bin at John Galt Coffee Company on 16th Street in Greeley is open to accept clothing donations for Maplewood Elementary School students who need uniforms for the school year. Maplewood is a kindergarten through fifth grade school on 21st Ave. in Greeley. (Morgan McKenzie/Staff reporter). 

"They're so reliable," McDowell said of the Assistance League. "They also give families blankets and sheets and things too, if families need them. They are always absolutely amazing in supporting kids."

Barbour said the primary source of local funding for Operation School Bell comes from sales at the Bargain Box Thrift store, which is all-volunteer operated and open three days per week at 1706 9th St. in Greeley.

The Assistance League of Greeley is hosting a gathering for potential new volunteers at 10 a.m. Aug. 24 at the thrift store. Anyone interested in joining the chapter is asked to call the store at (970) 353-2226 to reserve a place.