Assistance League of Northern Virginia Helps to Establish Clothing Closet to Address School Uniform Need

In 2015-16, Patrick Henry Elementary, a public school located in Alexandria, VA, adopted a mandatory school uniform policy for its students. The school contacted Assistance League of Northern Virginia for help supplying uniforms to families who could not afford to purchase them for their children. Assistance League reallocated funds within its Operation School Bell® New Clothing for Kids program to help establish a clothing closet for student uniforms at the school. Working with the school’s social worker, we purchased $750 worth of uniform separates and donated the articles of clothing to Patrick Henry.

We would like to thank School Social Worker, Catherine Stevens, MSW for reaching out to our 501(c)(3) for assistance and allowing us to share one young recipient’s heartwarming story.

“A kindergarten student received two uniforms right after you so generously donated them to us! This student is a recent immigrant from the Middle East and came to the United States with very little. Her family is struggling to make ends meet and purchasing uniforms for their children has been very hard. For several months, this student has been wearing just two outfits on and off and has felt like an outsider in her class. When I came to get her from class and have her try on the new uniforms, she could not stop smiling from ear to ear and although she has very little English skills, she said “thank you” over and over again. Whenever I see her, she is wearing her uniform with pride!”

To learn more about our Operation School Bell® programs and volunteer opportunities, please contact Kitchy Sawetz: lew0kitch@aol.com.