ROTARY CLUB OF MASSILLON KEEPS CHILDREN WARM
The Rotary Club of Massillon joined over 150 Rotary Clubs in 28 states to partner with Operation Warm, a service project that enables organizations to provide new winter coats to elementary-age children in their local communities. Since the project’s inception in 1998, Rotary clubs have provided 75,000 new coats. The coats are all brand new and stylish, with the deep pockets and removable hoods that children prefer. Purchased at cost from Operation Warm, the coats are an economical way to insure that children in our community are bundled up against the cold Ohio winter.
Under the leadership of Youth Services Chair Penny Isom, the Massillon club has raised more than $2,200 from members for the Operation Warm Project, with an additional $100 coming from the Massillon Municipal Court. That total is sufficient to purchase approximately 110 coats for distribution to needy youth in our area. The coats will be distributed to those in most need through three local community organizations: the Salvation Army of Massillon, the Boys and Girls Club of Massillon, and Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio, Inc.
Rotary members are pleased to find a national project with local impact which reflects the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.” In Massillon, where according to recent United Way statistics, 65% of school-aged children qualify for free or reduced lunch and an estimated one in four children live in poverty, the need is especially great.
Shown in attached photo:
Major Tom Perks of the Salvation Army, Steve Pedro of the Boys and Girls Club, and Marcie Bragg of Goodwill Industries show Boys and Girls Club Members the coats to be distributed.