The History of Operation School Bell®
Many members of Assistance League of San Jose are educators and relate to the story of how Operation School Bell began. It begins with Ruth Ann Montgomery, a high school teacher in Bakersfield, California.
Ruth Ann Montgomery lived from 1921 -2011. In the early 1950’s, she was a junior high school teacher in North Hollywood, and saw a contrast in her school between parents who were movie stars and others who were migrant farm workers. Many of the students did not have proper school attire.
In 1954, she and 22 women began collecting, sorting and laundering used clothing in a garage. In 1956, they called themselves the Volunteer Service Guild. One of the husbands was a WWII vet and was used to the word “operation”. They called their campaign “Operation School Bell”. By Spring 1957, and after much research into non-profits, Ruth Ann chose to merge Volunteer Service Guild with the National Assistance League® and it became the 23rd chapter of the Assistance League, then and now called the Assistance League of Bakersfield. Procedures of Operation School Bell were shared with other Assistance League chapters.
In 1968 a workshop was held at the National Convention in Denver.
In the early 1990’s, Assistance League of San Jose members had children who were in private school who wore uniforms. Around 1992, San Jose Public Schools began mandating uniforms and Assistance League of San Jose members saw the need to help students in the community who couldn’t afford them. Lynda Tomasello wanted to start by supplying clothes, but, with a lot going on and a lot to do, Assistance League of San Jose began Operation School Bell officially when Elaine Kitrosser was president with a budget of $1500 just from the chapter. Jackie Linehan was president when uniforms were officially furnished and they began by servicing 50 students at Carson Elementary. It grew very quickly to other schools and AL of San Jose adopted and approved OSB in 1994.
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In 1996, Assistance League of San Jose started writing grants. In July 1997, the National Board voted to make Operation School Bell a national program.
The name and logo were trademarked. It is the signature program of Assistance League.
In July 2000-2001, Assistance League of San Jose received $15,000 from proceeds from Silicon Valley Charity Ball and allocated it for Operation School Bell.
In 2003, The Sharks Foundation granted Assistance League of San Jose $12,500 and allocated it for Operation School Bell.
In 2018, Assistance League of San Jose received a Commendation Award from the City of San Jose for 25 years of providing uniforms to local schools.
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In 2019, Assistance League of San Jose was awarded the Crystal Bowl Award from the Junior League of San Jose for OSB.
From 1999 through 2001, 1,920 students were supplied uniforms.
During the 2021-2022 school year, Assistance League of San Jose distributed over 35,500 items of clothing to 39 schools, a pre-school and a foster youth program including school uniforms. Each student received 2 shirts, 2 pair of pants, sweatshirts, socks and underwear.
Fun Fact: Lands’ End made a contribution in 2003 and mentioned Operation School Bell and its mission in their holiday card.
