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Easy Ways to Make Your Giving Event Memorable (Even During the COVID-19 Pandemic)

The memories created during Operation Warm’s coat-gifting events are what children, volunteers, and staff talk about years later.  While our in-person events are full of smiles, music (and maybe even a happy dance or two) there is no reason that virtual events cannot be just as memorable. Here are some suggestions for keeping the memories alive: 

  • Invite and engage “cheerleaders” who are intrinsically motivated about helping children and about philanthropic giving.  Their interest and enthusiasm will show during in-person interactions with children and youth and will allow for easy communication and follow-up if you cannot all get together.
  • Take pictures and videos. If activities occur in small groups or even in a one-on-one fashion, pictures and videos that can be posted or streamed in school, published in a Newsletter, or emailed to a parent or family member serve as a means of engaging others and create lasting memories.
  • Create opportunities for adults to participate in small groups where they feel comfortable socializing. Volunteers for Operation Warm often get together to sort coats and pack boxes to be shipped to schools and Nonprofits for distribution to children and youth.
  • Include personal notes. Engage staff or volunteers to hand write notes or draw pictures to send to benefiting children and youth. Our Warm Thoughts volunteer engagement activity offers volunteers templated artwork to personalize and color that will be included with each of our coats to personalize our gift. 
  • Compile a list of individual responses and quotes from children who received a coat from your event to share with the donors who supported your fundraiser, parents, or friends.  Sharing memories may spark additional positive responses and memories for others.

Our Impact

  • Years of Service

    25

  • Total Children Served

    5,000,000+

  • Communities Served

    4,086

  • 2022-2023 Volunteer Hours

    125,000+

  • FedEx
  • Nordstrom
  • Thomas
  • IGS Energy
  • Exelon
  • Money Mart
  • Elks National Foundation, Inc.
  • The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
  • Pat's Coats for Kids
  • Morgan Stanley
  • WW Smith
  • Lazard
  • Wells Fargo
  • Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation
  • Benjamin Moore
  • Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
  • Delilah Home
  • Rotary Districts
  • Mountain America
    Mountain America
  • The Chicago Community Trust and Affiliates
  • TJX
  • bpx energy
  • Delta
  • Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Louisiana
  • Gerber
  • IAFF Local 2068 Fairfax County
  • PNC
  • EQT
  • AccuWeather
  • Operation North Pole
  • Rock 99.9 KISW
  • Scott Spino Foundation
  • Heinz
  • Marathon Petroleum
    Marathon Petroleum
  • Gynada
    Gynada
  • Accenture
    Accenture
  • Subaru
  • Amazon
    Amazon
  • Assistance League
    Assistance League
  • Bonzy
    Bonzy
  • Civitas
    Civitas
  • Ferrellgas
    Ferrellgas
  • Five Below
    Five Below
  • Fox Milwaukee
    Fox Milwaukee
  • Harvey Hanna
    Harvey Hanna
  • Hasbro
    Hasbro
  • Holtec
    Holtec
  • IATSE
    IATSE
  • Islamic Relief
    Islamic Relief
  • Kaiser
    Kaiser
  • Lake Trust
    Lake Trust
  • Lennox
    Lennox
  • Liuna
    Liuna
  • Molina
    Molina
  • NYC
    NYC
  • Ocean First
    Ocean First
  • Salvation Army
    Salvation Army
  • The Tepper Foundation
    The Tepper Foundation
  • wawa
    wawa
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