Few Derby-Shelton Rotary projects bring more smiles to faces of children than the annual distribution of attractive winter coats to children enrolled in the early childhood programs run by TEAM, Inc. This year the club donated 72 coats to children participating in Team’s programs. The Club has been doing this since 2008 and the total number of coats distributed now stands at well over 1,200. Project Warmth is national in scope, but its impact is felt most in local communities. We have a couple of pictures of some smiling kids with new coats featured below and you can even view a couple of videos dating all the way back to 2008 here.

Ernie Luise, a past club president and also a past District Governor coordinates the program on behalf of the club and Jamie Peterson, Lead Director of Early Childhood, handles the arrangements for TEAM. One parent’s comment sums up the feelings about the program – “I didn’t expect this and it came just when we needed it”. Derby-Shelton Rotary is proud to work with TEAM to make this program possible.

These happy kids are showing off their stylish new winter coats!

The Derby-Shelton Rotary club is at it again helping to make for a warm and fashionable winter for some of the children at TEAM, Inc. This year that means that 72 children will be receiving brand new winter coats just as the temperature starts to drop. The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club has been participating in Project Warmth since 2001 and has donated 1,192 coats and 36 pairs of sneakers to children in the Valley serviced by TEAM. Jamie Peterson, Lead Director of Early Childhood at TEAM noted that not only are the kids thrilled with their coats, but so are the parents. One new parent saw the coats and said, “I’d love one, but I just don’t have the money for it right now”. When she found out it was a gift; she cried happy tears. Rotary is not in the tears business, but as you can see in the pictures above, we are in the smiles business. Thanks to Rotarian Ernie Luise for once again coordinating this important program for the Club.

These happy kids are smiling with good reason – they have great new, warm winter coats thanks to Derby-Shelton Rotary’s annual participation in the Operation Warm program. Since 2008, the Club has been distributing coats to Valley children through programs run by TEAM, Inc. This year, the club purchased new coats for 72 children. Ernie Luise coordinates the program for the Club, and she shared this nice note from Jamie Peterson who is the Lead Director of Early Childhood at TEAM, Inc.:

“Good morning, Ernie—Sharing gratitude and smiles direct from TEAM’s playground this morning to you and the Derby-Shelton Rotary! The coats have been distributed throughout the program and they are amazing (as always!) The timing couldn’t have been better—so many families mentioned they were just on the cusp of needing to purchase a warm winter coat. The excitement and gratitude they share upon receiving, touches the staff every time and never gets old.

I’d be remiss not to share one particular anecdote amongst the many reactions the children give us when they get their new jacket—one little guy received his jacket and shouted from the rooftops, “I won a new coat, I won a new coat!!!!” His smile was exploding and his little feet were jumping off the floor with joy. You and the members of the Derby-Shelton Rotary are keeping children warm, supporting families and spreading happiness. Thank you is an understatement. Enjoy the weekend!

With gratitude, Jamie

Derby-Shelton Rotary is please to see just how impactful this program is for children in the Valley.

Operation Warm is a national nonprofit that manufactures brand-new, high-quality coats and shoes for children in need. Along with the tangible benefits of a coat and shoes, Operation Warm is about so much more:  everything kids can do – and the opportunities they can access – when they have new, weather-appropriate apparel.  Beyond physical warmth, the coats and shoes help children feel the confidence they need to socialize and succeed and the emotional warmth that comes from knowing Rotary cares.

Derby-Shelton Rotary recognizes the financial assistance from Rotary District 7980 and is grateful to have been able to partner with them in providing for the children.  In addition to the coats and shoes, two Rotarians provided gloves, hats and scarves (hats and scarves were hand-knitted) to complement the project and ensure that the kids will be warm and dry during the upcoming winter months.

We received this nice thank you note from Jamie Peterson who is the Director of Early Childhood at TEAM:

“I want to extend a BIG THANK YOU to you and the Derby/Shelton rotary on behalf of the children and families in our early childhood program. The Family Support staff have distributed the coats and the families have been so touched by receiving a brand new, high quality, warm coat. So many of the children come into school under dressed during the cold months and often we see parents layering sweatshirts or using coats with broken zippers. The opportunity for the recipients to have a warm, reliable coat, truly gives parents a sense of relief.

I have attached a photo of two of the many children who have received your wonderful gift this year. One of the children in the photo relies on public transportation daily and as a result endures long waits at the bus stop. This jacket is a vast upgrade from what they were wearing just weeks ago.

Thank you again—the staff, families and children are beyond grateful for all that you do. With gratitude, Jamie”