E D UC ATION by Cassidie Cox
Shop Local, Give Local At Assistance League, giving back to the community is taken one step further. All profits earned at the Assistance League of Georgetown thrift store stay local. Volunteers provide help and support to teachers, students, and residents in Georgetown, Jarrell, and Florence. This includes donating money to help teachers afford school supplies, and providing scholarships to eligible students who volunteer with the organization.
OPERATION SCHOOL BELL Among the Assistance League's many advocacy programs is Operation School Bell. This program provides clothing to young children in need to give them confidence and encouragement in their school day. The names of K-8 students are provided by school counselors, and eligibility is based on need and participation in JISD's free parenting classes. Assistance League volunteers invite the students to shop at Walmart for brand new clothing—an opportunity that not only helps fill a basic need, but also helps them increase the confidence needed to learn and connect with their peers. In 2021 alone, Operation School Bell provided clothing for more than 2,000 students in 15 local elementary schools. 24
LOCAL LOVE In March 2022, through Operation School Bell, the Assistance League of Georgetown donated 306 gift cards totaling $22,950 to children in Jarrell ISD. Students and their families were invited to shop at Walmart, where volunteers from ALGA were waiting to help. Laura Buckley, JISD liaison to the Assistance League, said, “One of the kids asked me if she would be with the grandmas at Walmart. I thought it was so special that she was relating them to grandmas, because they take care of all the children.” Sharron Dickerson, Vice President of Philanthropic Programs at the Assistance League, considers it a great joy to be able to work with the elementary schools. “I was a teacher for years,” she says. “Even though I’m retired I can still contribute. It’s really wonderful.” The Assistance League encourages everyone to visit The Thrift Shop at 900 N. Austin Ave. in Georgetown. The store is completely non-profit, and distributes profits directly to local programs like Operation School Bell. “The community enables us to give money to these schools just by shopping," Sharron says.
M AY 2022 MY JA R R ELL M O NT HLY
Visit their website or stop by the store for opportunities to volunteer, donate, or shop for unique and affordable finds.
