Bend Volunteers Serve 2,700 Kids Through Creative Programs

When Lisa Sarmiento joined Assistance League Bend, she never expected to become a website designer, but that's exactly what happened when the all-volunteer nonprofit needed help.

"Everybody's pitching in, and maybe they're out of their comfort zone," said Sarmiento, the assistant treasurer. That spirit of jumping in wherever needed powers a network of programs serving thousands across Deschutes County, Oregon.

The league's biggest effort, Operation School Bell, serves roughly 2,700 children each year. Students shop for new clothing with a set budget, choosing items that reflect their personal style and help them feel confident at school.

Another signature program, Cinderella's Closet, offers a boutique experience where students select formalwear, shoes, handbags, and jewelry at no cost. "They can just feel like a princess for the night," said Dianne Benson, who chairs the program.

Beyond clothing, the nonprofit tackles practical skills through These Kids Are Cooking, an after-school program led by retired educators. Students learn to plan meals, prep ingredients, and cook independently, bridging the gap between knowing what's healthy and actually making it happen.

The organization doesn't stop with youth. Volunteers deliver handmade cards year-round to seniors in 17 memory care and assisted living facilities across the county, and they provide free personal hygiene items to help residents maintain dignity.

The Ripple Effect

For volunteers, the work creates unexpected connections and friendships. Benson loves seeing kids' faces when they realize they can shop just like everyone else, removing barriers that might otherwise hold them back.

Sarmiento, whose own children are grown, found a new way to care for local kids who need extra support. The friendships formed through shared purpose keep volunteers coming back, even as they master unfamiliar tasks.

The nonprofit's upcoming Dream Trip Raffle (tickets $30 through April 15) and Kitchen Kaleidoscope Home Tour on June 20 will fund next year's programs. As the organization grows, so does its need for volunteers willing to step outside their comfort zones.

From sewing chemotherapy hats to helping kids gain confidence through clothing, opportunities span every skill level and interest. "Many hands make light work," Sarmiento said, and in Bend, those hands are building a community where no one feels forgotten.