The Rotary Club of Bradford continued its commitment to supporting children and families in the Bradford Area School District by providing brand-new winter coats to students who need them.
With support from the Blaisdell Foundation, and funds raised through the annual Rotary Golf Tournament, the club purchased 120 new coats for local children and is also planning to purchase winter boots.
Rotarians visited George G. Blaisdell Elementary School and Head Start classrooms this week to personally deliver the coats, which were supplied through the Operation Warm- Coats for Kids Foundation.
This year marks the ninth year of the club’s partnership with Operation Warm, an effort that has grown steadily thanks to the generosity of community partners and the dedication of volunteers. Each year, the project helps ensure that children arrive at school warm, comfortable, and ready to learn.
Operation Warm reports that nearly 17% of American children live in poverty, with a family of four earning less than $26,200 annually meeting the federal poverty threshold. While many programs focus on food and housing, far fewer address the need for appropriate clothing, which plays an important role in a child’s confidence and security.
“Childhood poverty remains a serious challenge,” said Heidi Scrivo, Rotary Club of Bradford President. “Our partnership with Operation Warm allows us to directly fill a gap that many families face. The support we receive from our community strengthens this effort and helps us reach more children each year.”
For more information about the Rotary Club of Bradford, visit the club’s Facebook page or myrotary.org