Introduction to Operation Warm

© 2021 Operation Warm, 50 Applied Bank Boulevard, Glen Mills, PA 19342

WARMTH. CONFIDENCE. HOPE.

For more than 20 years, Operation Warm has brought warmth, confidence, and hope to children in need.

The struggles of the recent past – a health crisis, a focus on social justice and equity, an economic recession – have led to record levels of need. But we have been ready to face these challenges. We’ve always prided ourselves on effectiveness and agility. We’ve focused on our impact and value, which has motivated us to new levels of program innovation.

Our vision for the future is fueled by that same spirit: to help more children than before.

We are driven to uphold the progress achieved.

We will be working with our stakeholders to develop a multi-year strategy focused on using the learnings gleaned to guide the organization forward.

These and all of our other successes are due to the wonderful individuals, foundations, and donors who have partnered with us. But there is still so much more to do. We hope the following information packet will inspire you to join us in our next stage of work. We are so much #morethanacoat... we are hope for brighter days ahead.

-Grace Sica

MISSION Operation Warm provides warmth, confidence, and hope through basic need programs that connect under-served children to community resources they need to thrive.

Operation Warm’s mission has always been focused on the whole child. Our tagline, ‘more than a coat’ means that the coats don’t just provide physical warmth, but also emotional warmth, the confidence to socialize and succeed, and hope of a brighter future.

We’re proud to say that over the last 22 years, the coat has become a bridge between our partners and families in need to access critical resources.

3

WARMTH. CONFIDENCE. HOPE.

For more than 20 years, Operation Warm has brought warmth, confidence, and hope to children in need.

The struggles of the recent past – a health crisis, a focus on social justice and equity, an economic recession – have led to record levels of need. But we have been ready to face these challenges. We’ve always prided ourselves on effectiveness and agility. We’ve focused on our impact and value, which has motivated us to new levels of program innovation.

Our vision for the future is fueled by that same spirit: to help more children than before.

We are driven to uphold the progress achieved.

We will be working with our stakeholders to develop a multi-year strategy focused on using the learnings gleaned to guide the organization forward.

These and all of our other successes are due to the wonderful individuals, foundations, and donors who have partnered with us. But there is still so much more to do. We hope the following information packet will inspire you to join us in our next stage of work. We are so much #morethanacoat... we are hope for brighter days ahead.

-Grace Sica

MISSION Operation Warm provides warmth, confidence, and hope through basic need programs that connect under-served children to community resources they need to thrive.

Operation Warm’s mission has always been focused on the whole child. Our tagline, ‘more than a coat’ means that the coats don’t just provide physical warmth, but also emotional warmth, the confidence to socialize and succeed, and hope of a brighter future.

We’re proud to say that over the last 22 years, the coat has become a bridge between our partners and families in need to access critical resources.

3

PROGRAMS

Operation Warm is a national nonprofit that manufactures

COATS: Our coats are made

brand-new, high-quality coats and shoes for children in need.

with durable materials

We inspire and empower local communities to support underserved children by using the gift of a coat or a pair of shoes as a catalyst for connection. With this gift, our partners can either build national multifaceted programs or activate highly-focused programs in their own communities. These relationships are the springboard that can give children access to a host of life-sustaining resources and services.

Since our inception, we’ve used the gift of a coat or shoes to connect underserved children with everything from library books to flu shots.

With over 22 years of experience and expertise as a part of our resume, we are confident in our ability to connect with partners, manage inventory and delivery services, process orders, and provide excellent customer service to all our constituents.

22+

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

WARMTH. CONFIDENCE. HOPE.

THE OPERATION WARM DIFFERENCE

and feature deep pockets, detachable hoods, and are produced in a variety of stylish colors and styles that change annually. All our coats include an inner label that reads “Made Especially for You!” with a place for the child’s name to be written.

SHOES: In 2021, with the launch of our Warm Soles initiative, we now offer high-quality, athletic-style shoes that inspire confidence and outdoor play, to serve children from age 2 to 3rd grade. The addition of shoes also gives us the opportunity to make an impact on the lives of children in need all year

Made Especially for You!

round.

5

PROGRAMS

Operation Warm is a national nonprofit that manufactures

COATS: Our coats are made

brand-new, high-quality coats and shoes for children in need.

with durable materials

We inspire and empower local communities to support underserved children by using the gift of a coat or a pair of shoes as a catalyst for connection. With this gift, our partners can either build national multifaceted programs or activate highly-focused programs in their own communities. These relationships are the springboard that can give children access to a host of life-sustaining resources and services.

Since our inception, we’ve used the gift of a coat or shoes to connect underserved children with everything from library books to flu shots.

With over 22 years of experience and expertise as a part of our resume, we are confident in our ability to connect with partners, manage inventory and delivery services, process orders, and provide excellent customer service to all our constituents.

22+

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

WARMTH. CONFIDENCE. HOPE.

THE OPERATION WARM DIFFERENCE

and feature deep pockets, detachable hoods, and are produced in a variety of stylish colors and styles that change annually. All our coats include an inner label that reads “Made Especially for You!” with a place for the child’s name to be written.

SHOES: In 2021, with the launch of our Warm Soles initiative, we now offer high-quality, athletic-style shoes that inspire confidence and outdoor play, to serve children from age 2 to 3rd grade. The addition of shoes also gives us the opportunity to make an impact on the lives of children in need all year

Made Especially for You!

round.

5

MISSION PILLARS WARMTH

We remain committed to understanding the needs of the communities we serve through yearly survey research, data collection, and program analysis.

Operation Warm creates brand-new, high-quality coats and shoes for children in need, offering a child both physical and emotional warmth.

OPERATION WARM SURVEY DATA

88%

stated choosing

their coat style and color

88%

CONFIDENCE

their brand new coat or shoes made them feel

about themselves.

happy.

94%

100%

more connected to their

The gift of a brand-new coat and/or shoes empowers children by sparking self-confidence in a way that second-hand clothing cannot. A new coat and shoes can help students attend school, socialize with their peers and play outside with pride.

said that

helped them feel good

of parents felt

WARMTH. CONFIDENCE. HOPE.

OUTCOMES

HOPE Families living in poverty struggle to provide necessities like food, housing, clothing and child care. The gift of a brand-new coat and/or shoes offers hope to both children and their caregivers, reminding them there are people in their community that care about their wellbeing and future.

of students

said their brand-new

community as a result of

shoes will help them play

a coat gifting event.

outside.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS COATS GIFTED IN 2020

STATES & PROVINCES

COATS GIFTED SINCE 1998

COMMUNITIES SERVED

SHOES GIFTED

526,000

62

4M

1,900

30,000 7

MISSION PILLARS WARMTH

We remain committed to understanding the needs of the communities we serve through yearly survey research, data collection, and program analysis.

Operation Warm creates brand-new, high-quality coats and shoes for children in need, offering a child both physical and emotional warmth.

OPERATION WARM SURVEY DATA

88%

stated choosing

their coat style and color

88%

CONFIDENCE

their brand new coat or shoes made them feel

about themselves.

happy.

94%

100%

more connected to their

The gift of a brand-new coat and/or shoes empowers children by sparking self-confidence in a way that second-hand clothing cannot. A new coat and shoes can help students attend school, socialize with their peers and play outside with pride.

said that

helped them feel good

of parents felt

WARMTH. CONFIDENCE. HOPE.

OUTCOMES

HOPE Families living in poverty struggle to provide necessities like food, housing, clothing and child care. The gift of a brand-new coat and/or shoes offers hope to both children and their caregivers, reminding them there are people in their community that care about their wellbeing and future.

of students

said their brand-new

community as a result of

shoes will help them play

a coat gifting event.

outside.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS COATS GIFTED IN 2020

STATES & PROVINCES

COATS GIFTED SINCE 1998

COMMUNITIES SERVED

SHOES GIFTED

526,000

62

4M

1,900

30,000 7

CAUSE The EQT Foundation has partnered with Operation Warm as a corporate foundation to support focused programs in business locations, making the communities they serve better places to live, work, and prosper.

ACTIVATION Funding supports coat and shoe gifting events in three different states where EQT operates.

Elementary schools, libraries, local nonprofits, Head Start programs, and United Way organizations plan hyper-local distribution events to guarantee that every child in the community can experience warmth, confidence, and hope.

RESULTS

12,000 COATS GIF TED

500

COATS S HOES GIF TED (YEAR ONE)

THE WEINBERG FOUNDATION

CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST

CAUSE

CAUSE

The Weinberg Foundation has partnered with Operation Warm as a family foundation to support focused programs based on their priorities in the city of Baltimore.

The Chicago Community Trust has partnered with Operation Warm as a community foundation to provide resources and support to thousands of children across the city.

ACTIVATION

ACTIVATION

Funding supports coat gifting events at 17 Weinberg Library Schools in Baltimore City neighborhoods where many students face academic and economic challenges. Additional distribution events are held in partnership with the Enoch Pratt public library locations to introduce families in need to all of the community services that libraries provide beyond books.

Funding supports several key initiatives such as the annual Impact Beyond Warmth event with the Chicago Housing Authority. Coats are also offered to organizations serving at-risk children for significantly reduced donation levels through the Virtual Coat Closet. Warm Welcome to the Library events are held at multiple public library locations, while flu shot clinic and coat gifting events run simultaneously at local health and wellness centers.

RESULTS

17,700 COATS GIF TED

WARMTH. CONFIDENCE. HOPE.

CASE STUDIES

EQT FOUNDATION

RESULTS

14,000 COATS GIF TED

9

CAUSE The EQT Foundation has partnered with Operation Warm as a corporate foundation to support focused programs in business locations, making the communities they serve better places to live, work, and prosper.

ACTIVATION Funding supports coat and shoe gifting events in three different states where EQT operates.

Elementary schools, libraries, local nonprofits, Head Start programs, and United Way organizations plan hyper-local distribution events to guarantee that every child in the community can experience warmth, confidence, and hope.

RESULTS

12,000 COATS GIF TED

500

COATS S HOES GIF TED (YEAR ONE)

THE WEINBERG FOUNDATION

CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST

CAUSE

CAUSE

The Weinberg Foundation has partnered with Operation Warm as a family foundation to support focused programs based on their priorities in the city of Baltimore.

The Chicago Community Trust has partnered with Operation Warm as a community foundation to provide resources and support to thousands of children across the city.

ACTIVATION

ACTIVATION

Funding supports coat gifting events at 17 Weinberg Library Schools in Baltimore City neighborhoods where many students face academic and economic challenges. Additional distribution events are held in partnership with the Enoch Pratt public library locations to introduce families in need to all of the community services that libraries provide beyond books.

Funding supports several key initiatives such as the annual Impact Beyond Warmth event with the Chicago Housing Authority. Coats are also offered to organizations serving at-risk children for significantly reduced donation levels through the Virtual Coat Closet. Warm Welcome to the Library events are held at multiple public library locations, while flu shot clinic and coat gifting events run simultaneously at local health and wellness centers.

RESULTS

17,700 COATS GIF TED

WARMTH. CONFIDENCE. HOPE.

CASE STUDIES

EQT FOUNDATION

RESULTS

14,000 COATS GIF TED

9

2020 SHOE RECIPIENT

TESTIMONIALS GOOGLE REVIEWS

I am very happy that I got a new coat because now I know that even people that barely know me what to help me.

I like the coat and is nice and warm and I go walking to school and it helps me from the cold and when is really windy.

2020 COAT RECIPIENT

2020 COAT RECIPIENT

WARMTH. CONFIDENCE. HOPE.

I picked these shoes because they are purple and purple is my favorite color. I love my new sneakers!

Karina Fishburn I applied for Operation Warm this school year and the coats are AMAZING! They arrived just a week before our Texas Winter Storm. The timing was incredible and I am so happy my students received them prior to our never before seen sub-freezing temperatures! The communication was great and I am hoping to receive shoes soon! Thank you so much!

Yvette Aiken Thank you for having the mind to keep bodies and hearts warm with your coats and shoes! It brings much joy to see the children happy and warm!

11

2020 SHOE RECIPIENT

TESTIMONIALS GOOGLE REVIEWS

I am very happy that I got a new coat because now I know that even people that barely know me what to help me.

I like the coat and is nice and warm and I go walking to school and it helps me from the cold and when is really windy.

2020 COAT RECIPIENT

2020 COAT RECIPIENT

WARMTH. CONFIDENCE. HOPE.

I picked these shoes because they are purple and purple is my favorite color. I love my new sneakers!

Karina Fishburn I applied for Operation Warm this school year and the coats are AMAZING! They arrived just a week before our Texas Winter Storm. The timing was incredible and I am so happy my students received them prior to our never before seen sub-freezing temperatures! The communication was great and I am hoping to receive shoes soon! Thank you so much!

Yvette Aiken Thank you for having the mind to keep bodies and hearts warm with your coats and shoes! It brings much joy to see the children happy and warm!

11

Operation Warm is a national nonprofit that manufactures brand-new, high-quality coats and shoes for children in need. We partner with compassionate individuals, community organizations, and corporations across North America to provide emotional warmth, confidence to socialize and succeed, and hope of a brighter future by using the gift as a catalyst for community connection. Operation Warm is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

To make a lasting impact on the lives of children, visit www.operationwarm.org Follow us