Operation Warm has been warming the hearts of children, and our funding partners, since 1998.

Heartwarming Stories 

A story that has impacted the team this year is one about a young boy who sleeps in his new winter coat because, as he said to his mother, "it helps me dream better."  The reality is that his family's heat was turned off at night because of their financial situation. He dreamt better because his coat kept him warm in his bed.

A new, warm winter coat does so much more than simply keep a child warm.  It helps him get to school on-time.  It prevents the social isolation a child without a coat feels standing  at the bus stop or playing on the playground.  And, it helps him get a good night's sleep so he can arrive at school rested, refreshed, and ready to learn. 

*****

We learned of two sisters with an interesting school attendance pattern: in the cold months, one sister seemed to go to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the other sister would attend on the opposite days.  These girls lived with their grandmother, who wouldn't let them leave the house without a warm coat - and the family's limited resources meant the girls shared a coat.  Operation Warm was able to provide a new coat to each sister - increasing their school attendance and encouraging their education.

*****

A strategic field partner told us recently that when she opened the boxes of coats from Operation Warm, tears came to her eyes.  She said, "no one ever gives items this nice to our kids."