Universal Studios Hollywood employees provided Thanksgiving holiday cheer to 300 homeless Los Angeles Unified School District students on the 14th annual Day of Giving, Nov. 8. The theme park employees, along with members of Operation School Bell, a service of the Assistance League of Los Angeles, and LAPD community officers, distributed new school clothes, shoes, backpacks and books to children in need at the yearly Universal Studios tradition designed to connect employees with community organizations.

LAUSD counselor Jaza Williams gave hundreds of homeless students toys along with school uniforms and supplies at the annual Day of Giving event at Universal Studios. (photo by Jill Weinlein)

Studies have shown disadvantaged children who lack appropriate school attire or are forced to share clothes with family members are at risk for irregular attendance, poor school performance and low self-esteem. As a result, LAUSD homeless education counselors identified the K-5 school children this special event would best serve.

The day began with LAUSD counselor Jaza Williams handing each student a stuffed Minion toy before LAPD officers fitted children with new shoes. Adrienne Seltzer, of the Assistance League of Los Angeles, and other volunteers welcomed the children into the 48-foot-long trailer, known as Operation School Bell’s traveling closet, filled with new uniform shirts, jackets and pants.

After receiving clothing, backpacks and school supplies, students and chaperones visited The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, met friendly Minions and rode the popular Despicable Me Minion Mayhem. They also had a catered lunch and a behind-the-scenes look into movie production with the park’s Studio Tour.

Operation School Bell visits LAUSD schools throughout the academic year. This year, Seltzer is making 16 visits with LAPD community officers.

“It’s nice for kids to see police officers in another light,” said Seltzer. “They also are there to assure everyone stays safe.”

According to Melanie Merians, CEO of the Assistance League of Los Angeles, more than 250 children receive clothing and supplies when the traveling closet visits an LAUSD school. Annually, Operation School Bell provides new clothing to more than 6,300 at-risk children.

For information, visit operationschoolbell.org.

By Jill Weinlein