The Issue: Number of Children Living in Poverty
In 2011, 32% of children in Boston lived in poverty—a total of 34,000 children—according to data from Kids Count, an Annie E. Casey Foundation project. Many low-income families must forgo purchasing new winter coats for growing children to afford necessities such as food and utilities, which may cause the children to miss school on cold days or put their health at risk.
The Campaign: Providing Winter Coats for Underserved Kids
For each $10 donation to this Grassroots campaign, Operation Warm can purchase a new winter coat for one child from a low-income family. Operation Warm will purchase new, high-quality coats at a discount and distribute them to children around the Boston area with the help of the Salvation Army of Massachusetts. Each additional $20 raised will provide a new winter coat for another child.
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Operation Warm
Operation Warm works with manufacturers to obtain new, quality winter coats at the lowest cost possible, and distributes them to children from low-income backgrounds across the country. Its goals are both to keep children warm and foster self-esteem by providing a first-hand garment in a way that helps preserve their family's dignity. The coats are specifically kid-friendly too, with deep pockets, detachable hoods, an emphasis on durability, and a permanent label that says, "Made Especially for You!" Since its inception, Operation Warm has distributed more than 1.2 million such coats to children in 41 states. It has partnered with groups and organizations such as firefighters, Rotary clubs, universities, and corporations to connect with the children in the greatest need as well as volunteers to help distribute the coats.
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