Philanthropic Programs
| Assistance League of San Jose® is committed to improving the quality of life for children and adults through our philanthropic programs. We serve the San Jose community through the following philanthropic programs: |
|
Operation School Bell®
Established 1994
|
Operation School Bell® is the signature philanthropic program of Assistance League. San Jose’s Operation School Bell began in 1993 with a very small budget of $1500 that allowed us to fit 50 children at one school with uniforms. Half way through the year, the program received a donation of $1500 from an anonymous donor. With that amount we went back to the school and gave each child either a school jumper or a pair of pants.
The second year we were able to budget for, and furnish uniforms for 250 students in three schools.
Each year, the program has grown and now we have a budget of over $50,000 and furnish uniforms to 2000+ students in two school districts comprising 26 schools. Every member of our chapter is required to participate in Operation School Bell and there are many different options open to everyone, from sorting and bagging uniforms to delivery of the uniforms to the schools we serve.
Members meet at storage unit to sort uniforms. |
“As a teacher, I saw the end result to the
uniform program and I wanted to be part of that.”
—Nada Joy Gleason |
For parent Dinora Nieves, Operation School Bell® is heaven-sent. Her son Saul, 7, received a free uniform through the program. Saul, a second-grader, stands ramrod straight in his navy slacks and his spotless white polo. He says it makes happy to wear his uniform.
|
| |
The Kids on the Block®
Established 1991
|
| Each school year over 1,300 Santa Clara Valley school children have the opportunity to see a national award winning puppet program presented by members of Assistance League of San Jose. The skit features nearly life-sized puppets that portray how children can deal effectively with bullies who pick on them or their friends and classmates. During the show, the students have an opportunity to join in a discussion with the “puppet kids” about ways to deal with bullying. This exchange serves to communicate information about getting help and, in a non-threatening way, addresses feelings that children may experience when they are threatened by a bully or see another child being threatened. Assistance League members function as puppeteers, setting up the staging area, and facilitating the discussion.
With increased funding we’ll be able to purchase additional activity books and pencils. These supplemental items give the program more substance and provide back up support for the children’ parents. Assistance League of San Jose is the only group supplying this program to our San Jose Schools. The program has been well received in each school and the demand for more performances continues to grow.  |
“My grandson is a 3rd grader at Willow Glen Elementary. On the evening after seeing the Kids on the Block puppet show at school, there was a discussion between his mother and aunt about how another woman had acted toward them. My grandson said, “That woman should see the assembly that the Assistance League did at our school today, and she should read the book we got.” —Louise Polizzotto |
 |
Readers are Leaders
Established 2007 |
The purpose of Readers are Leaders is to instill the love of reading in young students by having volunteers read in the classroom on a regular basis.
The Assistance League of San Jose members entertain, enlighten and encourage the children as they read quality, age-appropriate literature. Four to five times during the school year, volunteers visit first- and second-grade classrooms. On each visit, they read two books that will be donated to the class library. In addition, the extra books we are able to purchase or are donated to the Assistance League will be given to each classroom to improve the quality and quantity of the classroom library for in-class reading. These donated books will remain in the classroom and continue to provide quality children’s literature for the students for years to come. 
Councilmember Nancy Pyle and member Margeaux Kee
read to Olinder School 2nd graders.
|
 |
Member add props, such as hats and scarves, to help hold
hold the children's interest and enhance the reading experience.
|
Project S.E.E. (Screening Eyes Early)
Established 2003 |
The Assistance League of San Jose recognized the importance of early screening of amblyopia or lazy eye long before Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter Dannielynn drew national attention to it.
The Screening Eyes Early Program provides vision screening to preschool children to detect early signs of this condition. If not caught at an early age, it could lead to blindness.
Annually Assistance League volunteers make visits to approximately 20 preschools to screen 1,000+ children. Members provide results to the parents or guardians and identify children who need follow-up and re-screening.
All Assistance League members involved in this program must be trained and certified by Prevent Blindness of Northern California.
|
|
Caring Hands
Established 2008 |
Caring Hands began as an interest group for members who liked needlework. The women met regularly to enjoy each other’s company, learn new skills and provide knitted blankets to newborn babies and chemo caps to adult patients at the Valley Medical Center Hospital. As more and more members joined the interest group the membership decided to upgrade the needlework group to a program so funding could be provided for yarn and other supplies.
To date, members have created hundreds of baby blankets, baby caps and jackets, booties, chemo caps and afghans.  |
 |
| |
Senior Bingo
Established 1983 |
Residents in nursing and convalescent homes often don’t have many activities to remain socially integrated with other patients or visitors or to keep their minds active. Each month, Assistance League members, often on a one to one basis, provide craft activities, bingo with small prizes, holiday foods and musical entertainment to residents at San Jose SubAcute Care and Oak Meadow Convalescent Homes. |
“I think Senior Bingo may be the most needed of our programs.
Sometimes, we are the only visitors these people see.”
—JoAnn Khoobyarian |
Hug-A-Bear
Established 1983 |
The Assistance League of San Jose has donated hundreds of bears for distribution to abused or neglected children at the Children's Center, Rape-Crisis Center and the Children's Shelter. |
 |
If you would like to make a donation to help us build and continue these programs, click here. |
|
