Oceanside, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/21/2014 -- Assistance League of Rancho San Dieguito Says Thanks to Camp Pendleton Marines and Families

7 Local Assistance League Chapters (all volunteers) hosted a two-day shopping event, August 9th and 10th, at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA. Parents and children eagerly anticipated this free shopping day. Many smiles and joyful words of thanks were heard in the mammoth shopping tent as a record 720 children chose “awesome” new clothes. Since 2005, 4,000 Camp Pendleton children have benefited from this fun event.

Chapters combine their resources to rent a special tent and set up a "store" stocked with new jeans, shirts, socks, underwear, hooded sweatshirts, school supplies, personal care items and a gift card for shoes at a local retailer. Assistance League of Rancho San Dieguito provided colorful hooded sweatshirts and sacks of supplies for the kids to use in their schoolwork.

As the children meet their friends, the event becomes a festive occasion. Occasionally a squeal of delight is heard from these young shoppers who choose clothes that make them feel special. Recognizing that military families sacrifice for all of us, Assistance League volunteers say thanks each August in this very tangible way: new clothes and school supplies for each child.

More information about our chapter, Assistance League of Rancho San Dieguito, is available on our website, http://www.alrsd.org.

National Organization Update
Assistance League is a nationwide nonprofit, 501 (c) (3) whose members are 100% volunteer. Members are convinced - volunteers make significant positive changes in their communities each year.

In 2012-2013, 26,000 Assistance League member volunteers (120 chapters nationwide) contributed 3.2+ million service hours. The program that benefits Camp Pendleton Marine families, Operation School Bell, assisted 330,815 children. Nationwide since 1958, nearly 4 million children have benefited. More information about the national organization can be found at, http://www.assistanceleague.org.