EASTON, Pa. – As winter approaches, the Easton Area School District is working to make sure students have what they need to stay warm.
Monday, community partners are helping families prepare for the cold months ahead with the second annual Operation Warm event.
“It’s about dignity. These children come here to learn. We provide them as much opportunity as possible. And it’s about allowing these children to focus on what they need to focus on and not worry about being cold,” school police officer Stephen Schleig says.
Operation Warm provides Easton area students with new coats and winter clothing at no cost.
“These are all brand new coats that have been donated,” EASD Superintendent Tracy Piazza says. “The kids are getting new, you know, beautiful coats that they can be proud of and wear and be warm.”
“I was one of these students growing up. So, it’s personal to me,” Officer Schleig says.
School police Officer Stephen Schleig says grants and donations help fund the event.
“We went out and obtained these grants and sponsorships, and we were able to raise nearly, if not a little over 1000 warm articles of clothing, most of them brand-new coats,” Officer Schleig says.
Community groups also pitched in.
“Everyone deserves to be warm, fed, and have shelter,” ALMAS Temple No. 71 Freemason Delmaar Weekes says. “Their smile is precious, and that’s what motivates us to always help our community.”
Superintendent Piazza says the need remains significant.
“We have more families struggling with homelessness than we’ve had. That number is starting to come down. There is no shortage of need as people come through the door. You can see that,” Superintendent Piazza says.
Organizers say they’ll continue working to connect families with warm clothing as winter approaches.
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