Operation Warm Winter

December 21, 2022

“This year we had a 10-year-old special needs boy that came to get winter gear. He got a brand new pair of boots, and he was over the moon. He had never owned a new pair of boots, this was his first. He was so excited, he stood there hugging his boots. Seeing his joy made us all happy to be helping.”

As we approach the end of the year, the temperatures have dropped, and many are looking forward to spending time with friends and family. 

However, for some, the winter and the colder temperatures can be a struggle.

That’s where Operation Warm Winter steps in. Kathy Newton is the Coordinator for Operation Warm Winter, which is run out of the Word of Life Church in Burney.

The program is designed to help provide winter clothing such as coats and boots for school children in need.

The Beginning  

Some years back, a woman and mother named Stephanie Pruitt wanted to volunteer at her kid’s school when she realized there were children in need.

“When kids don’t have the proper outdoor clothing, they can get soaking wet and that isn’t conducive to learning or staying healthy,” Newton said. “That meant a lot of kids weren’t allowed to go outside for recess.”

Pickup Day

The first year of the program was “unofficial” meaning Pruitt and Newton went to places including the Salvation Army and asked for donations, whatever they could think of to get clothing for kids in need. 

After seeing the success of the first year’s efforts, they realized they needed a formal organization. 

Word of Life Church and formal operations

“The church has been amazing to work with,” Newton said. “They have the legal structure in place as a non-profit, and it made all the sense in the world to run Operation Warm Winter from there.” 

Now, an application is sent home with kids from the school and parents can fill it out if they have needs for their children. 

“66.5% of children in our region are socioeconomically disadvantaged,” Newton said. “And that’s just the children. We also have a large homeless population, and there is a strong need here.”

Pickup Day was a Success in Helping Everyone

“We distribute clothing once a year,” Newton said. “We’re looking to move the date up a bit to get people what they need sooner.”

On pickup day, everyone who filled out the application comes to the church. This year, Newton said applications were submitted for 66 children and an additional six came the day of the event, for a total of 72 children who received assistance.

Items ready for new owners

“We collect clothing items all year,” Newton said. “Since there are a lot of people in need, not just students, we collect things like blankets and bedding, too. While 72 children received the outdoor clothing they needed, another 167 people in the community were also able to get needed items for themselves.”

Community Makes it Happen

“We’ve had high school students come and work with us for their senior project,” Newton said. “One time we had a mother and her young daughter helping out. That young woman came back as a high school Senior to work with us and brought some of her friends with her. They were all needed, and appreciated.”

Pattern Energy makes a yearly donation to Operation Warm Winter, and Newton said it makes an impact. “We are grateful the team at Hatchet Ridge Wind is so supportive, it means a lot to these kids.”

Supporting the communities we are a part of is a core value for Pattern Energy, and the team at Hatchet Ridge is honored to help. 

Heart-Warming Experiences

“It is such a blessing to do this program,” Newton said. “We’re meeting people’s needs and making them happy. It feels wonderful to be a part of it.”

She also offered up an anecdote that she feels demonstrates their impact.

“This year we had a 10-year-old special needs boy that came to get winter gear. He got a brand new pair of boots, and he was over the moon. He had never owned a new pair of boots, this was his first. He was so excited, he stood there hugging his boots. Seeing his joy made us all happy to be helping.”

If you have outdoor clothing for children or adults, Operation Warm Winter collects year-round and would be happy to accept your donation at Word of Life Church in Burney.