CHADDS FORD, Pa., Jan. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly one in five children in the United States live in families with incomes below the federal poverty line.  Necessities like warm winter clothing can be hard to come by when food, shelter, heat and medicine take priority.  Operation Warm, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing brand new winter coats to children in need, believes providing a brand new winter coat to a child can be 'more than a coat.' By providing a new coat, especially around the holidays, you not only provide a child warmth, but a boost in joy and self-esteem.

During the months of October, November and December 2017, Operation Warm partnered with Hollister Co., the global teen retailer, and raised funds to provide close to 28,000  winter coats to children in need.

The two organizations have worked together since 2015 and to date, together they have helped provide new winter coats to more than 70,000 children across the U.S. through various fundraising efforts.

Over the 2017 holiday season, to support Operation Warm's mission, Hollister ran a 'Round-Up at the Register" campaign in all its US stores, with 100% of the funds benefiting Operation Warm. Additionally, the company and its associates volunteered at six coat donation events in New York City, Seattle, Washington D.C., Denver, Columbus and Boston, as well as two event sponsorships with the Chicago Housing Authority and Operation Brotherly Love in Philadelphia. During the events, Hollister employees and Operation Warm staff members visited low-income schools to personally fit each child with a new coat in their favorite color and help them write their name in the interior tag which reads, "Made Just for You."

"We are proud of the great work Operation Warm continues to do for communities in need. They have touched so many children's lives with the gift of a new coat, and we are honored to partner with them on those efforts," said Kristin Scott, Brand President of Hollister.  "Since we began our partnership, we have helped provide a warm coat to more than 70,000 children and we look forward to helping in the years to come."

"2017 marks the third consecutive year Hollister has provided their resources, time and talent to Operation Warm and the children we serve. Their committed support to our communities makes Hollister a loyal contender of corporate social responsibility," says Dick Sanford, Operation Warm Founder and CEO.  "This year, our collaboration will reach more children, more families and more communities than ever before. We are extremely grateful for Hollister's commitment to help children in need."

"Thorndyke students were overwhelmed by the gift of brand new coats," said Elizabeth Schibly, Site Coordinator at Thorndyke Elementary School. "New friendships were formed on the basis of having matching colors, and students were so grateful to have a warm coat that very week. Kids continue to use the coats to this day-- I'm reminded of this amazing event whenever I go out on the playground.  Operation Warm coats are everywhere!"

For information on Hollister and Operation Warm's partnership, visit https://www.operationwarm.org/hollister.

About Operation Warm: Since 1998, Operation Warm has inspired hope and empowered communities by manufacturing and distributing high-quality, new winter coats to over 2 million children in need throughout the US. The nonprofit works with organizations at a community-level, assisting local advocates to help children receive coats in their own backyard. Operation Warm's vision is that every child wearing a new winter coat is warm, feels valued, and is empowered to get to school and gain an education. To learn more or start your own community coat program, visit www.operationwarm.org.

About Hollister Co.: The quintessential retail brand of the global teen consumer, Hollister Co. celebrates the liberating spirit of the endless summer inside everyone.  Inspired by California's laidback attitude, Hollister's clothes are designed to be lived in and made your own, for wherever life takes you. A division of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE:ANF), Hollister provides an engaging, welcoming, and unique shopping experience through its global e-commerce websites and its more than 540 retail locations.

At Hollister, the team believes in unleashing endless possibilities. The brand partners with organizations to empower youth and teens to create an inclusive community where anything and everything can happen.  www.hollisterco.com

www.operationwarm.org         www.hollisterco.com

Lauren Holloway
Public Relations, Operation Warm
Tel. 610.388.2500 X136
Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE Operation Warm