A Delaware County-based nonprofit is asking the public’s help to keeping 1 million children warm, a vision that started more than a quarter century ago that has grown in scope.
Operation Warm in Glen Mills was founded by Dick Sanford 27 years ago.
“He was driving through Kennett Square and saw some children waiting for the bus without coats on and it was a really, really cold day,” Grace Sica, executive director of Operation Warm, said, adding that Sanford lives in the area.
He went out and bought coats for the children. Then, a Rotary Club member at the time, he decided to make it a Rotary project.
From there, it has grown to helping 1 million children across the United States, including more than 7,000 children in Delaware County and more than 68,000 children in the Greater Philadelphia area, with brand new coats or shoes.
The nonprofit primarily serves elementary school-aged children, although middle school ages are helped, as well. And, they work with community partners to identify homeless shelters, Head Start programs and Title 1 schools, where 40% percent of the children whose families are at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
“This year in particular,” Sica said, “affordability is on everyone’s mind. We know that when low income families are spending more money on rent and on transportation and on food, then there’s less for other things like coats and shoes.”
And, the situation has more challenges as those who help are more restricted this year as well.
“Part of that is compounded by the organizations that directly serve these children, many of them have fewer resources,” Sica explained.
Looking at the situation broadly across the United States, she said the number of children in need is growing as more attention is also being given to the dynamic.
“I do think more children are qualifying for low income programming and also there’s an increased awareness of it,” Sica said.
She also shared some distinctions that make Operation Warm unique.
“One is that we manufacture the coats and we make sure that they’re a quality that we’re proud of,” she said. “We manage the design, manufacturing and delivery of our coats and shoes every year.”
Sica explained that Operation Warm also started distributing shoes five years ago.
“We kept hearing from our beneficiary programs, ‘Do you know where we could get sneakers?’ ” she asked, noting that they decided to provide those as well.
Another part that makes Operation Warm special, Sica noted, was the emphasis on self-dignity with each gift.
“The way that commitment to giving kids something new that they can be proud of is based on our commitment to helping kids feel confident,” she said.
At the distributions, the items are laid out and the kids get the choice of picking which color and design they like best so that they have an experience of being excited and proud.
“Volunteers are committed to making sure that the kids have a joyful experience,” Sica said. “The whole idea is that we’re giving kids the gift of warmth, confidence and hope. That’s something we’ve been committed to for 27 years.”
Operation Warm partners also shared their thoughts.
“Children perform well in school when they look and feel good about themselves,” a nonprofit in Chester said. “We’d like to assist in making sure every child has what they need to feel good about themselves and perform well with their academics.”
“A new coat will keep the children warm, give them the chance to play outside and commune comfortably and allow them to have a sense of dignity and confidence from having a new clean coat,” another nonprofit in Lansdale, Montgomery County, stated. “Children last year left wearing their new coats.”
This Giving Tuesday, all donations given to Operation Warm will be doubled. To learn more or to donate, visit operationwarm.org.
“This year, our campaign is focused on Help the Helpers,” Sica said, adding the nonprofit is trying to maximize the resources for these providers as they are finding themselves stretched thinner.
She also recommended that those so inclined could consider volunteering through the nonprofit’s Community Impact Volunteering program.
She explained it’s a way to get involved and help Operation Warm in a meaningful way. Training is provided.
“If people are able to make that commitment, it’s an awesome program to be involved in,” Sica said.
