Our Community Impact Volunteers (CIVs) are passionate, trained volunteers who play a vital role in helping us fulfill our mission. As part of the Operation Warm team, they support events, grow our reach, connect us with new partners, and spread awareness to help serve more children in need. They come from all walks of life—working professionals, full-time students, retirees, and everything in between. What unites them is a shared passion for making a difference.
This National Volunteer Month, we’re celebrating the incredible people who make up our volunteer network—and what better way than hearing directly from the volunteers themselves? Kicking off our three-part guest blog series is Amanda Ross, a dedicated CIV whose commitment to our mission continues to grow. In her own words, Amanda shares what inspired her to get involved and the impact volunteering has had on her life.
Q: How did you first get involved with Operation Warm?
I was first exposed to Operation Warm through working for Nordstrom. As a Store Manager, my team and I supported the corporate giving campaign in store and through it got to learn more about the incredible work and mission of the organization. I was extremely excited to learn that I could be involved and see the impact firsthand in my local community and I signed up for my first experience as a volunteer with Operation Warm to support a Nordstrom gifting event at an elementary school in Seattle. The experience was incredibly rewarding and it’s something I have looked forward to every year since.
Q: What inspired you to become a Community Impact Volunteer after your corporate volunteer experience?
I have always been passionate about volunteering and giving back and I have consistently jumped at any opportunity Nordstrom has provided to do so. After the most recent gifting event, I walked away not wanting to wait until next year to keep being involved. I loved the passion and enthusiasm that exuded from the representatives from Operation Warm and knew I wanted to be a part of that on a bigger scale. I found the Operation Warm website and was pleasantly surprised to learn that I could get involved and help make a greater impact as a Community Impact Volunteer and reached out immediately to get started.
Q: How has volunteering with Operation Warm impacted your personal or professional life?
Being involved and volunteering with Operation Warm has felt like such a natural fit into my life. The values of Operation Warm align so perfectly with both my personal and professional values and volunteering has given me the opportunity to put them into practice in a meaningful way. There is a substantial need in the community and Operation Warm has empowered me to help address it. I feel a sense of pride and purpose in knowing that the work I am doing makes a positive impact on children in my community, and I am eager to continue to spread the warmth, confidence, and hope in any way I can.
Q: Do you have a favorite memory from an Operation Warm event?
My favorite memory from an Operation Warm event was from my very first gifting event. On the day of the event, it just happened to snow, which is fairly rare for us here in Seattle. Many of the classes were coming from outside to the gymnasium, where the event was being held, and what struck me was how many of the children either weren’t wearing a coat at all or had a coat that didn’t fit and/or keep them warm enough. Being able to see the glaring need right in front of us and address it in the moment was amazing and powerful. The whole room felt like a party and the joy and appreciation from the children and teachers alike was unlike anything I had experienced and something I’ll never forget.
Q: What advice would you give to someone thinking about volunteering or getting involved with Operation Warm?
My advice for someone interested in volunteering or getting involved with Operation Warm is to just do it! I know for me the hardest part is often just getting started, but I am so glad that I did. There are so many ways to make an impact and get involved so there is sure to be a way that resonates with you and fits your strengths and interests. Even if one child benefits from the work you do, it’s worth it!
Continuing the Cycle of Warmth through Volunteering
Amanda’s story is a powerful reminder that when passion meets purpose, the impact is limitless. Her journey from a corporate volunteer to a dedicated Community Impact Volunteer shows how one experience can spark a lasting commitment to service. If you’re feeling inspired to make a difference in your own community, we invite you to take the next step—become a Community Impact Volunteer and help us reach even more children in need.
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