Humanitarian of the Year
Judy Kloner
Operation School Bell
For the last ten years, one of the best community partners that any police department could have is “Operation School Bell” a service of Anne Banning Associates of Southern California. When the LASPD began their partnership with Operation School Bell, the LASPD would bring 10 children a month to their headquarters in Hollywood where each child would be fitted with brand new clothes, school uniforms and get school supplies.
You have to know the experience of each child to appreciate what Operation School bell does for each child. From the moment the child walks in they are greeted by the kindest women in the world just for that child. Each child is sat down and sized properly for his brand new shoes and socks. Then the child is taken into a change room where each new pair of pants, then shirt is fitted for the child along with school uniforms, and a new jacket! Each child is given a new backpack with a grooming kit inside along with school supplies and a belt. Then the child gets to pick out an additional casual outfit, a toy and a new book to read. Each child receives one on one attention from a caring volunteer that enhances the child’s self esteem.
About five years ago, Operation School Bell expanded to include a mobile trailer, “School Bell on Wheels,” which was donated by Mervyns. This 53 foot trailer is a “mobile closet” filled with clothes. Now we go from school to school giving the Operation School Bell service to children without them having to miss time from school. With that trailer, came a whole new age of children that receive the Operation School Bell experience and double the kids that receive assistance.
In recent attendance of the yearly meeting of the Assistance League, where each group goes over their accomplishments for the year - just this year, since September of 2008, Operation School Bell has assisted more than 8,000 children.
Because of the kindness and leadership of Judy Kloner and the countless Operation School Bell volunteers, Operation School Bell continues to grow and help more and more children each year.
