Rotary

Today we had the pleasure of having Dick Sanford the founder of Operation Warm give us an update on the foundation.

From it’s humble beginning’s while driving on the streets of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Dick Sanford encountered a sight that eventually spurred the formation of Operation Warm: a group of children – coatless – huddled at a bus stop on a cold December morning in 1998. The sight led Dick to drive to a local department store and purchase every coat in stock. With the help of his local rotary club, those 58 coats were given directly to kids in need.

This gesture of kindness inspired the creation of Operation Warm. The first 58 coats were purchased by one man, but the millions of coats since then have been a result of communities united, working together to improve the livelihood of children living in poverty.

The Woodinville Rotary club has been a proud partner for over 10 years and is responsible for bringing the program to the Northwest.

Operation Warm’s mission is to provide brand new winter coats to children in need, helping to improve self-confidence, peer acceptance, school attendance, and overall wellness. To learn more check out the Operation Warm website.