Operation School Bell/Holiday Toy Drive

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Operation School Bell

Started in 1997, Operation School Bell is organized by the Detroit Public Schools Homeless Unit, in collaboration with the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan. For several years the Michigan Association of School Social Workers (Region D), the Detroit School Social Workers Association and the Assistance League have provided thousands of Detroit Public Schools students with new clothing, coats, hygiene items, school supplies, backpacks, shoe vouchers, and lunch without any cost or obligation to the parent. In 1997, fifty students were served by the School Bell program. Over 2,000 students have been served in the past 10 years, including 270 students in the 2006-2007 school year.

Holiday Toy Drive

The Toy Drive began in 1994, with the Office of School Social Work Service's Public Relations Committee. Since 2004, the Homeless Unit, in collaboration with the Office of School Social Work Service, has sponsored the annual toy and clothing drive for homeless children and youth. In the past 12 years, over 4,000 new toys, books, hygiene kits, and clothing have been donated by School Social Workers and others to distribute to children living in shelters, and to children in Detroit Public Schools who have been identified as needy. This is an annual event that begins in late November.

For more information call: (313) 866-9756 or (313) 866-9670