Business & Tech

Operation Warm Delco Kicks Off with $10,000 Wawa Donation

Operation Warm Delco, which raises funds to provide new winter coats to children-in-need, kicked off with $10,000 Wawa donation.

Since 2003, Operation Warm Delco has raised funds to provide thousands of new winter coats to children-in-need, who live in Delaware County.

spearheads the campaign along with and Glen Riddle Rotary Club.

Over the years students of all ages have helped raise awareness and money, church members have held craft bazaars, businesses sponsor children for coats, hospital employees adopt children to raise money for coats, and Rotarians across the county generously give to the effort.

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At the 8th Annual Community Partners Breakfast that kicked off the Delco Operation Warm Campaign, host Howard Stoeckel, CEO of Wawa, surprised the crowd with his announcement of a $10,000 donation.

"We are delighted to be part of the 8th annual Community Partners’ Breakfast and to continue our support of Operation Warm. We believe Operation Warm is a very meaningful program for the children in our community. When Wawa can help thousands of children stay warm, attend school and feel good about themselves, they we are truly helping our community," stated Stoeckel.

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Guests at the event included leaders of industry, business, commerce and education across Delaware County. 

Operation Warm, Inc. of Chadds Ford, began in 1998, with the first distribution of 58 coats.

"This year we will hand out our 1,000,000th new winter coat to a child. We have the people of Delaware County and especially the generosity of Riddle Hospital, the Wawa team and Glen Riddle Rotary Club, to thank for the inspiration and outstanding support given to Operation Warm for the past nine years," stated Dick Sanford, CEO and founder of Operation Warm.

The focus of the campaign is a NEW coat, produced by manufacturers chosen by Operation Warm, so that they are colorful, stylish and of the highest quality. All monetary donations provide new winter coats for children-in-need who live in Delaware County. Parents and caregivers must register their child for a coat with their schools. The campaign will conclude on Dec. 31.

Community members can support the campaign by making an online donation at www.operationwarm.org.


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