Operation Warm Continues Supporting Low-Income Kids with Help from Community

Chadds Ford, PA – Since 1998, Operation Warm, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing brand new winter coats to children in need, has gifted more than 2.5 million coats. Due to the expansion of giving efforts across the U.S., Operation Warm has launched its first ever ‘Volunteer Brigade,’ a highly trained force to give more coats to kids in need.

This past year, Operation Warm was able to give coats to 325,000 children with the help of community organizations, foundations, and business partners. This was an especially impressive feat, given that the organization has under 25 full time staff members. According to school administrators, Operation Warm coats provided not just warmth, but confidence and hope as well.

“Attendance drops when it’s cold out because busing is only provided to students who live more than two miles from the school; everyone who lives closer has to walk,” said Gregory D. Blondheim, Sr., Principal, Forest Hill CLC in Akron, OH. “Students are now coming up to me and saying ‘I’ve got my new coat Mr. B,’ and they are so proud. NEW makes a difference – I see kids who are happy and smiling.”

Beginning March 5, Operation Warm will launch its Volunteer Brigade search in 9 cities: Boston, Chicago, Columbus (OH), Denver, Detroit, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Seattle and Washington DC. This pilot program will provide a high energy, hands on experience for all involved.

“With the help of this brigade, Operation Warm will be able to increase our ability to further improve the lives of children,” said Allison Price, Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives at Operation Warm. “Sometimes a problem can seem so overwhelming, it’s hard to know how to help. We know from firsthand experience that one individual volunteer CAN make a difference, serving as a beacon of hope for an entire community.”

The Volunteer Brigade is a unique opportunity for people interested in supporting children in their local community, community organizations engaged in civic issues and corporate employees looking to use paid volunteering benefits. In addition to these groups, any interested individual over 18 is eligible to participate. Visit operationwarm.org/volunteer to join us in making a lasting impact in the life of a child today.