WEST CHESTER — Every child has a favorite color, including sixth-grader Ryan Jones.
As part of Friday’s Operation Warm event, Ryan chose a pair of gifted and brand-new blue athletic shoes.
“It feels amazing,” Ryan said. “I’ve never done this before.
“I just want to say ‘thank you.’”
Operation Warm is a national non-profit that gives away shoes and coats to relieve the financial burden that families experience when buying proper-fitting, season-appropriate shoes for their children.
Last week’s give-a-way of 85 pairs of shoes took place at a non-profit early learning center, the West Chester Area Day Care Center, at 501 E. Nields Street.
Longtime executive director Betsy Billie said the gifts were extremely appreciated and very much needed for kids in low-income families who grow out of shoes every six months.
“With the cost of everything these days, new shoes are not a high priority over food and rent,” Billie said. “This brightens their day and makes them feel so appreciated.”
Brenda Lee is vice president of marketing and programs for Operation Warm, based in Glen Mills. The non-profit is a 501 (c) 3 and gives mostly to Title 1 schools, foster care families, and homeless shelters. The shoes and coats are manufactured by the operation to control quality and give confidence, hope and connection to the community, Lee said.
“Our organization is more than the coats and shoes, it’s what these items represent,” she said.
Operation Warm was founded by Chadds Ford’s Dick Sanford 23 years ago when he noticed Kennett kids huddling at a bus stop while not wearing coats. Inspired, he bought several coats.
In 2021, the organization gifted over 595,000 coats and 64,000 shoes to children in both America and Canada.
The West Chester Area Day Care Center provides meals and formula to 180 children in need year-round. Children served are aged from 6 weeks to 12 years. Several school buses stop at the center and children are served breakfast and after-school snacks.
Police also attended the event and gave out coupons for free 7-Eleven Slurpees and baseball cards featuring the photos of officers.
Public Information Officer of both the West Chester police department and fire companies, Dave March, all smiled while officers participated through community engagement.
“We want the children to know the police officers and not be afraid of them so whenever they need assistance they know they can go to a police officer,” March said.
For more information on the West Chester Area Day Care Center go to www.wcadaycare.org.
For information on Operation Warm, go to www.operationwarm.org.
