For the past ten years, Operation Warm Winter, a community service ministry of Word of Life Assembly of God (WOLA), has been providing quality new winter coats and boots to disadvantaged elementary school children. In addition, at an annual GIVEAWAY, people in need can come for gently worn hats, gloves, jackets, and blankets. This year’s Operation Warm Winter GIVEAWAY will be Thursday, December 6 at the WOLA gym located at 37341 Main Street in Burney.
The program was initiated in 2007 by Stephanie Pruitt when she found out that some children in the Burney schools could not go outside for recess because they did not have warm winter coats or boots.
Last year, 76 children received new coats and boots. In addition, 86 people came for the annual GIVEAWAY for winter clothing.
This year, Burney High School student Kira Hernandez is working to organize the program for her Senior Project. Ms. Hernandez is working together with WOLA Secretary Kathy Newton.
Burney Elementary School helps to identify children and notify parents to sign up in advance so that Operation Warm Winter can purchase jackets and boots to suit individual needs.
The purchase of the jackets and boots is made possible by donations from church members and the community. A major fundraiser for the program the past few years has been the Ohio Northern University Choir concert held in the late Spring.
The winter clothing for the GIVEAWAY is also donated by members of the community. Ms. Hernandez is setting up collection boxes around town for people to donate clean gently used items.
Kathy Newton said, “I love being part of a church that centers on loving God and loving people. This is a really great way to demonstrate that!”
People in the community who would like to participate by donating clothing or funds or who would like more information about the program, please call 530-335-4419.
In the Gospel of Matthew 25:40, Jesus says “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
See also:
Operation Warm Winter GIVEAWAY provides new coats and boots to 58 school children
Operation Warm Winter gives out warm clothing
Pit River Country 