Sufficient warm clothing is one of many priorities for students.
Wednesday, the Newton Community School District made two announcements related to that mission.
Members of the Newton Rotary Club last week presented 280 new winter coats to the Newton Community School District as a community service to students as part of the “Operation Warm” program. Wednesday, members of Newton’s Board of Realtors presented a variety of hats, scarves, gloves, mittens and socks to the school district as part of their annual community outreach.
All of the winter items were delivered to the central office at Emerson Hough, where they have been sorted for distribution to students.
“I think it’s what makes Newton so special, that we have organizations that recognize the need that some of our families have in our community,” Newton Schools Superintendent Bob Callaghan said. “I think it’s a sign of our economic times that finances are much more difficult today. Everybody realizes the respect that should be given, and we help provide for some who are not as fortunate as others.”
Operation Warm was founded in 1998 by Dick Sanford. Through the years, numerous Rotary Clubs have joined the effort to help expand fundraising and assistance with coat distributions.
The Newton Rotary Club contributed $4,000 from its own treasury and a District 6000/Rotary International grant to help bring 280 coats to Newton students. The school district recognized Newton Rotary Club/Rotary District 6000 at Monday’s regular school board meeting.
While not part of a formal program, the Realtors’ efforts are an annual affair. School district staff separated and bagged the winter gear for distribution to select students.
Callaghan said a list is kept of families who are recommended by others to be placed on an at-need list, and staff at each school use discretion and respect in deciding how to present the donations to students.
“The need was determined at the campus level through the counselors and the teachers, and, potentially, through anyone who called in to express the needs of certain families,” Callaghan said.
Callaghan smiled as he pointed out that the school colors and logos of Iowa State and at least two major state universities were represented amid the generous donations.
“There is some Hawkeye black and gold in there,” he said. “There are even some purples of the UNI Panthers.”
Contact Jason W. Brooks at
641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or
jbrooks@newtondailynews.com