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Meet Your Neighbor: Patricia Clauretie
How many mornings have you gone to your closet and can’t seem to decide what to wear for the day? For some, the effort may result in a heap of clothing in the closet or strewn over the bed. Imagine what it would be like if you simply didn’t have a closet or a choice of clothes? That is what it is like every morning for thousands of children right here in our community. 89012 resident Patricia Clauretie has experienced first-hand the heartwarming, yet heartbreaking effects of helping children through a program called Operation School Bell, an initiative of the Assistance League where she is a member.
By: Callie Thomas
Helping others comes easily to Clauretie, having lived the small town life in Shepherdstown, West Virginia and later Shreveport, Louisiana. While each of the areas is quite distinct, both offered a strong sense of community and the notion of “pitching in” wherever needed—a way of life she has carried with her to this day. The family moved to Las Vegas in 1988 after her husband Mike accepted a teaching position at UNLV. After her two children Sean and Kevin had grown, Clauretie joined the Assistance League of Las Vegas in 2011 at the invitation of a friend. She was instantly taken with the opportunity to help other children in the valley.
She is an active member and is the Chairman of the group’s Technology Committee in addition to helping at the Assistance League Thrift Store and Operation School Bell program. Each year thousands of children from kindergarten through eighth grade may not attend school because they do not have adequate clothing. Last year Assistance League of Las Vegas provided clothing for more than 8,300 children through Operation School Bell. Patricia Clauretie shares her experiences with the program and tells us why giving back is so important.
How has the small town lifestyle influenced you here in Vegas?
“The population of Shepherdstown was 2,500 in 1972 when we lived there. I quickly learned that everyone had to pitch in to make things happen. If someone got sick, you took food…no one had to ask. If someone needed to raise money for a cause, you chipped in without a thought. Our experiences in Shreveport were much the same but included a heavy emphasis on family first. So when my husband chose to retire from UNLV and our children were grown, I wanted to get involved with an organization that focused on the needs of the valley children and Assistance League does just that.”
What is your role with Assistance League?
“As a member I work a number of shifts in the Thrift Shop or in Operation School Bell. As Chairman of the Technology committee I am responsible for keeping all the computers at peak operating level and helping other members with any technical issues.”
Any experiences you’d like to share?
“Operation School Bell provides school clothing, a warm zippered hoodie, underwear, socks, athletic shoes, a book of their choice, hygiene items and school supplies to children from families in need that are referred by the Clark County School District. The children come to our facility and as a volunteer I have helped them go shopping. My first experience was with a young girl and while we began picking out clothes for her to try on, she kept asking me if she really could pick out anything she wanted. I would politely answer yes and she responded that she had never been shopping before where she could have anything she wanted. How does that not break your heart?”
What does giving back mean to you?
“It’s a way for me to acknowledge the many blessings I have by helping others less fortunate.”
Do you have a life inspiration or quote you’d like to share?
“It’s from my husband Mike: Life is a great teacher but sometimes the exam comes before the lesson.”
Great job telling it like it is! Sure hope I get a copy for my office!