Operation School Bell Boosting Confidence Through New Clothes

New clothes can give kids new confidence. Operation School Bell provides clothing to thousands of Tulsa elementary students at dozens of schools.

Children don't always get to pick their clothes, but at Operation School Bell, 11-year-old Parker McLain has the chance to take home exactly what she wants: socks, shoes, and a jacket all in her favorite color—pink.

But this shopping spree provides more than a whole new wardrobe. Picking out new clothes not only helps students with their self-confidence; it can also improve their attendance.

"Some kids may not have many uniforms, and that affects their attendance because maybe a uniform is dirty," said Natalie Radcliffe, school counselor at Skelly Elementary. "Now we are meeting that need with more clothes, more uniforms. Some kids may arrive to school late because they don't have a coat, and it's too cold out."

That's why Assistance League Tulsa wants more volunteers to help kids like Parker, so the students can focus on what's going on in the classroom instead of what they are wearing.

"We want volunteers to come in, take a look around, work with the students we have in our building, and help us engage with them and let them know there are people in this community who really care about them and want them to do well in school," said Yolanda Taylor, president of the Assistance League Tulsa.

The focus is on academics, but the fashion is an added bonus.

"It's really cute and stuff. I like how it looks," Parker said.

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