FeedsSchools show warm side
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Lynn Murrel, Belleville Meijer store director, presents Superintendent Thomas W. Riutta with a $500 gift card for Operation Warm.More than 200 children will be warmer this winter, thanks to efforts from the Van Buren Public School District.
The district sponsored the annual Operation Warm fundraiser recently, and brought in more than $4,325, which will provide funds for about 250 coats for children of families facing tough economic times.
“The support for this program has truly been heartwarming,” said Paul Henning, communications specialist for the district.
The Belleville Meijer store also donated a $500 gift card to purchase hats, gloves, scarves, and coats as well, bringing the total gathered up to $4,825-which is $1,000 more than the drive brought in last year. Through the Operation Warm program, $15 buys a coat for a child that would otherwise have gone all winter without one, said Henning.
Van Buren Public Schools first partnered with Operation Warm in 2005 when agreeing to help distribute coats donated by a local business for the children of the district. In 2007, that local business was unable to donate the coats they had in the past and the Belleville Rotary Club came to the aid of the program aid with a donation of $2,500.00 as seed money to grow the effort in the community.
“This year is the second year that the program is on its own to generate funds in this challenging economy,” said Henning. “This is the second year Van Buren Public Schools solicited donations directly from the public and local businesses.”
In the last three years the Van Buren Public School district has helped provide more than 1,000 coats and 450 hats to children who need them, he said.
