Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s Corporate Partners Event

Assistance League^® of Diablo Valley’s Operation School Bell^®-Clothing is a nationally acclaimed, hands-on philanthropic program that has served elementary school children in our local community. In recent years, the program has expanded to meet the growing needs of the community. Last year alone, over 6,000 students in grades K-12 received new clothes and shoes, all of which have ultimately contributed to improved school attendance, campus citizenship and academic performance. In 2018-2019, that number has grown to 8,000 and will include homeless students in two districts, as well as West County students. 85% of the recipient students attend schools were uniforms are required.

Since 2006, Assistance League of Diablo Valley has enjoyed a Corporate Partners component, resulting in employee volunteers from local businesses and corporations providing hands-on service in Assistance League of Diablo Valley activities and contributing financially to several of its philanthropic programs. Shell Martinez Refinery employee volunteers have not only lent their emotional and educational support by reading to students in the Martinez Unified School District's classrooms, they have enthusiastically participated in a Corporate Partners effort by joining Operation School Bell - Clothing volunteers by serving as personal shoppers.

In preparation for a recent retail shopping event at Burlington, Pleasant Hill, Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s Operation School Bell-Clothing had designated $80, money raised by the Way Side Inn Thrift Shop in Lafayette, for each child to buy clothes. On October 23, Operation School Bell member volunteers in-serviced seven employee volunteers from Shell Oil-Martinez who, in turn, helped 72 elementary schoolchildren from Morello Park and John Muir Elementary Schools (Martinez Unified School District) and Indian Village and Murwood Elementary Schools (Walnut Creek Elementary School District) shop for school clothes. “Following the balloons” yielded wise choices. As the happy youngsters headed for home, plans as to what to wear to school the following day were in the making.

Since its beginning, Shell Martinez Refinery Corporate Partners’ impact on the community has ranged from celebrating a heritage of “pioneers and pacesetters” to “building a better energy future.” When community-minded organizations jointly help children make decisions, success results!

To learn about all of Assistance League of Diablo Valley’s philanthropic programs, please visit this website: assistanceleague.org/diablo-valley. You may also access information regarding Corporate Partners by clicking the button on the upper left corner of the website.