The New York Community Trust (NYCT) in partnership with The Heisman Trophy Trust has awarded The Assistance League® of Phoenix with $10,000 as part of the Heisman Trophy Fund for Youth Development. The funding will support the organization’s signature program, Operation School Bell program, and its mobile unit, the Delivering Dreams Bus, as they work to provide wardrobe packages for over 11,000 students in need this school year.

“We’re so honored to receive support from the New York Community Trust and the Heisman Trophy Trust,” said Aimee Runyon, CEO of Assistance League of Phoenix®. “It comes at a time when the Operation School Bell program continues to grow along with the need for services for underserved families. We added twenty new schools from our waitlist this year and are looking forward to reaching even more students in need and ensuring they have clothes that fit, are durable, and contribute to a positive sense of self-esteem.”

NYCT and The Heisman Trophy Trust work together to support amateur athletics and provide educational opportunities to youth across the country, with a focus on underserved communities and children with special needs.

Assistance League of Phoenix partners with more than 130 Title I schools throughout the year. Each school can select up to 100 children who qualify for the program (students on the free or reduced lunch program). Operation School Bell’s 40ft Delivering Dreams Buses have been retrofitted into mobile dressing centers that bring the program directly to schools. The buses are filled with racks of clothing and shoes, along with private dressing rooms. Volunteers help each child select clothing and ensure that clothes and shoes fit properly. Each student receives a bundle of items valued at approximately $250 and includes two bottoms, three tops, six pair of socks, six underwear, a sweatshirt, belt, a pair of shoes, a new book, and a personalized health kit full of hygiene items.

For more information on the Assistance League of Phoenix visit http://www.alphx.org.

About The New York Community Trust:
The New York Community Trust connects past, present, and future generous New Yorkers with vital nonprofits working to make a healthy, equitable, and thriving community for all. It is a public grantmaking foundation dedicated to improving the lives of residents of New York City, Westchester, and Long Island.



About the Heisman Trophy Trust:

The Heisman Trophy Trust annually recognizes the outstanding college football player in the United States. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work. The Heisman Trophy Trust ensures the continuation and integrity of this award. The Trust also has a charitable mission of utilizing sports and educational opportunities to enhance the lives of underserved youth in diverse communities across the country. Our goal through these charitable endeavors is for the Heisman Trophy to symbolize its dedication to enhancing the lives of underserved youth through sports, recreation activities and educational opportunities. For more information visit http://www.Heisman.com.



About Assistance League of Phoenix:

Assistance League of Phoenix is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has been serving the Phoenix area for 60 years. The organization has 130 members and 350 community/corporate volunteers and is affiliated with a national Assistance League with 120 chapters nationwide. Last year, Assistance League of Phoenix members volunteered over 26,000 hours and raised $2 million to serve over 20,000 children in the greater Phoenix community. For more information on the Assistance League of Phoenix visit http://www.alphx.org.