With the Christmas holiday right around the corner, many adults are undoubtedly working to fulfill as many wishes on their child’s wishlist as possible.
At the same time, attorney and community advocate Paul Mathis, Esq., along with others, is working to make sure as many children as possible are provided a new coat to keep them warm during the winter season through a national non-profit called Operation Warm.
As the winter season emerges with an unkind flu bug going around, buses to wait for and unpredictable inclement weather, there is certainly a need.
Mathis was introduced to the battalion chief of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, Willie Bailey last year in Washington, D.C., and the two discovered they shared a common interest in helping their communities.
Bailey learned public education, arts, music and helping children were chief among Mathis’ interests.
In turn, Mathis learned commitment to kids, affordable housing and community were at the pinnacle of Bailey’s interests.
A conversation about Bailey’s participation in the national non-profit, Operation Warm, Coats for Kids, ensued as well as one about The Salvation Army departing and leaving Greenville and Washington County with quite a void.
Bailey extended his charitable assistance in filling that void.
Soon after the conversation took place, Bailey’s efforts and affiliation with Operation Warm, Coats for Kids, fast tracked Mathis’ request for coats for the Community Holiday Fund, Holiday Giving Tree.
Operation Warm works directly with manufacturers to create their own line of specially made coats, just for kids.
Operation Warm provides warmth, confidence and hope to children in need through the gift of brand new winter coats. This initiative believes a brand new coat is more than a coat.
Through serving millions of children in need across North America, they have seen that a brand new coat offers a child physical and emotional warmth, confidence to socialize and succeed, and hope of a brighter future.
Mathis said because of Operation Warm, they delivered about 100 new coats for distribution by the Community Holiday Fund, for the Greenville Giving Tree, which takes the place of The Salvation Army.
In addition, the Deacon Alliance of Leland received 24 new coats and the Western Line School District received 34.
This year, the Community Holiday Fund will be receiving coats for Giving Tree recipients from Operation Warm due to Mathis’ relationship and efforts with Operation.
Mathis said he is appreciative of the Chairwomen of the Holiday Community Fund, the Giving Tree, Evelyn Awards, vice president of Guaranty Bank, and Terri Lane, executive director of the Community Foundation of Washington County, for helping with the endeavor.
Mathis said it is only fitting the Academy of Arts, Music and Science Project make every effort to generate donor funds for Operation Warm.
“This organization, with this level of support, has truly become a major part of this community,” Mathis added. “We should correspondingly show our appreciation.”
To learn more about the organization and to donate, visit operationwarm.org/.
