Operation School Bell
FBR Open
By: Shauna Matteson

The PGA TOUR Wives Association kicked off the 2009 season of giving at the FBR Open.  On Wednesday, January 28th, we jumped into a bus and headed over to the Assistance League of Phoenix to assist with their weekly Operation School Bell event.  Operation School Bell is a very impressive program that has been in existence since 1986.  To date, they have helped dress more than 50,000 elementary students from 90 schools in 11 Phoenix area school districts.  Each year they provide more than 4,000 children with two pairs of pants (or shorts, jeans, uniform pants, or skirts), three shirts, a sweatshirt, six pairs of underwear, six pairs of socks, a new pair of tennis shoes, a backpack, a book, and a hygiene kit.

Upon our arrival, we were greeted with open arms and smiling faces as only elementary school age children can do.  After quick introductions we soon embarked on what turned out to be a very moving event.

The Assistance League of Phoenix has the shopping experience down to a science.  Each row at the facility is organized and well labeled for easy and quick choices for the children.  Each child has the opportunity to try on the new clothes in private dressing rooms and then the volunteers assist them to make sure the fit is just right. 

So, after seeing all of this, our members were very eager to jump right in and help.  Each member was escorted by a very helpful lady volunteer from the Assistance League of Phoenix and a very excited young boy or girl ready to fill their shopping basket full of new items.  Soon, the baskets were overflowing and the children seemed so delighted and grateful for the new items.  Some of the children were shy at first but quickly warmed up.  At any given point in the morning, you would see a child's hand being held, or piggy back ride being given, a game of Trouble being played with 3 willing children, puzzles being put together, picking out a new shirt, or measuring a foot for the new tennis shoe to fit perfectly on.  When all was said and done, and each child had a full basket, we ended our visit with an energetic version of the song “When You're Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands!” 

Each of the members left with the satisfaction that, for a few hours, they were involved in a very important cause.  The women of the Assistance League of Phoenix do amazing work and are to be applauded for their dedication and heart.  We were proud to stand beside them for a day, and more proud to see so many happy children leaving with a sense of renewal because of the generosity of so many volunteers and donors.