Operation Warm coat giveaway held

HURON — Huron Elks Lodge No. 444, in cooperation with Operation Warm and the Huron Public Library, were able to provide warm winter coats to 90 local children in October.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) is an American fraternal organization, and through its charter with the BPOE, the Huron Elks Lodge No. 444 is dedicated to serving the people of this community through charitable service and giving.
The Elks received grant funding from the Elks National Foundation, which was used to purchase quality coats from Operation Warm.

Operation Warm is a national nonprofit that creates brand new, high-quality coats for children in need.
They partner with compassionate individuals and organizations across North America to give a gift of warmth, confidence and hope to millions of children in need. Operation Warm believes a brand-new coat is more than a coat, promoting self-esteem, school attendance and outdoor play. Founded in 1998, Operation Warm and its partners have provided over 3 million coats across North America.  
At the event 72 new winter coats were given away, and a donation of 18 coats from Elks member Phyllis Clarey, enabled the Elks to serve 90 children from this community.
Each child received a new book to promote childhood literacy, and was provided with valuable information about Library services and resources for themselves and their families. In addition to their wide selection of books, e-books, and other items and services, the Huron Public Library offers free Wi-Fi, and now has six mobile hotspots available for checkout. Library services and information for the event were provided by Glenda Maxted, the children’s librarian at Huron Public Library.
Elks members who assisted with the event were Dennis Bennett, Rick VanVleet, Phyllis Clarey, Gary Gould and Eldon Goglin. Additional volunteers for the event were Stephanie Bennett, Ruth Bennett, and Dana Bennett.