Kissimmee, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/03/2014 -- As part of Assistance League’s National Conference in Orlando, on Wednesday morning, September 3, Assistance League, in partnership with National Stores, Inc., will be providing 900 Osceola School District students with free school uniforms at the Fallas store in Kissimmee, FL. Identified students at Highlands Elementary, Central Avenue Elementary, and Kissimmee Elementary will be receiving two uniforms, a pair of shoes, socks, and a pack of underwear.

Operation School Bell is the national signature program for Assistance League chapters nationwide, providing more than $19M of new school clothing to more than 300,000 disadvantaged children annually. Since the program’s inception in 1958, Operation School Bell has clothed over 4 million children.

National Stores, Inc. has generously donated over $30,000 in new school uniforms, including shirts, shorts, skorts, underwear, socks and shoes, and is joining Assistance League in support of its efforts to bring a new chapter to the Greater Orlando area. Currently, there are no Assistance League chapters in Florida.

Nancy Reberger, Assistance League National President, commented, "Assistance League is delighted to bring our signature program, Operation School Bell®, to benefit the children of Kissimmee, FL. In order to continue our service to this community, we are working diligently to establish our first Assistance League chapter in Florida to serve the Greater Orlando area."

Michael Fallas, CEO of National Stores, Inc., added, “National Stores, Inc. is very proud to partner with Assistance League and its Operation School Bell program for the wonderful opportunities it provides to children.”

"I am extremely grateful to Assistance League and National Stores, Inc. for providing this generous donation to our students," said Osceola School District Superintendent Melba Luciano. "With clothing being provided to them, now our students will be able to focus on the learning at hand."

About Assistance League
Assistance League’s national organization inspires and supports more than 25,000 member volunteers in 120 communities nationwide. Local chapters meet the challenging needs of children and families through its nationwide Operation School Bell school clothing program and other locally developed philanthropic programs. Assistance League is a 501(c)(3) organization that returns over $38 million to local communities and assists 1.5 million people annually. Programs are partially funded through a nationwide chain of member-operated Assistance League thrift stores.

For more information, go to http://www.assistanceleague.org

National Stores, Inc. National Stores, Inc. off-price stores include: Fallas Paredes, Fallas Discount Stores, Fallas Kid Stores and Factory 2U. National Stores, Inc. is a family-owned, family-oriented company that was established in 1962 and grew from a single store in downtown Los Angeles to more than 300 convenient locations in 22 states and Puerto Rico. Their stores offer a wide selection of quality brand name and private label clothing for men, ladies, boys, girls, infants and toddlers, along with lingerie, shoes, toys, and home décor. For more information, go to: http://www.nationalstoresinc.com

Osceola School District. The Osceola School District in Central Florida provides prekindergarten through Grade 12 education to over 57,000 students. The district's mission is "Education Which Inspires All to Their Highest Potential."

Education Foundation – Osceola County. The Education Foundation - Osceola County is a 501(c)(3) organization that exists to bring resources and people together to support and enhance education in Osceola County, Florida. The school district and the foundation are pleased to work with Fallas and Assistance League on this wonderful project to benefit our community's children.