warming communities . . . one coat at a time

When the Boss Becomes the Hero!

noreply@blogger.com (Sybil Hunt, One Warm Coat Community Outreach) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0000

National Bosses Day is Sunday! That makes today perfect for sharing the great news that work place coat drives have put us over the 500-coat-drive milestone for this season! This week, employers like Crutchfield (VA), Jiffy Lube (MT), The Brace Place (NJ) and the Waterbabies Aquatic Program (QA) have registered their coat drives. To caring business owners, managers and decision-makers who provide the advertising, space and resources to collect and deliver coats in their communities, we say, "You're our heroes (Sunday and every day)!" Thank you!

The Momentum is Growing!

noreply@blogger.com (Sybil Hunt, One Warm Coat Community Outreach) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0000

We recently received this heartwarming note from Eleanor from the Native American Children's Association. "Just the other day, my sister and I were on the Reservation observing... [an] annual celebration to honor a revered Chief. ...It was crowded with Native families who remembered us from the coat giveaway. ...We are writing to express our gratitude for your hard work. Your efforts are helping a new generation of gifted young people to succeed." As the temperatures dip across the country, we are mindful of the children waiting for school buses in only light sweaters or hoodies. Although the need is great, the momentum for coat drives is growing. Today, over 400 coat drives are registered in our system, and more sign up each day. Soon, thousands of us will be working together to warm communities...one coat, one child, one person in need...at a time.

Honoring OUR 10 Years of Exploration and Discovery!

noreply@blogger.com (Sybil Hunt, One Warm Coat Community Outreach) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Move over, Columbus! Today, as we honor the explorer and discoverer in all of us, we celebrate 10 years of discovering new ways to bring awareness to the need for warm coats and make it easy to donate a coat to someone in need. Over the years, countless friends have shared the best parts of themselves - their creativity, skills and dedication to helping others - with us. With you, One Warm Coat has grown from a one-location coat drive in San Francisco to a national network of thousands of drives each year! And in this 10th year, we are on pace to collect and distribute our 3 millionth coat! Thank you all for joining us on this journey. We were recently asked what the next 10 years will hold. Our answer? Infinite possibilities! C'mon along! Who knows what we'll discover together?

At Our Roots...

noreply@blogger.com (Sybil Hunt, One Warm Coat Community Outreach) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0000

We're sometimes called a national movement with a "grass roots" base. We rather like that description! At our "roots" are the best community service agencies around, many of which are in small towns. For example, coat drive Organizers in the Princeton, IL area (pop. 7,500) can partner with the Zearing Child Enrichment Center, Inc. (ZCEC) this year to deliver warm coats to their neighbors. ZCEC is a service-oriented nonprofit agency that serves children through 12 years of age. They registered with One Warm Coat with the hope that coat drive Organizers will find them and be able to provide much-needed warm coats for the children they serve. Working together to warm communities... one coat at a time. Guess you could say, "It's in our roots!"

Warm Up With Us and Join the Drive!

noreply@blogger.com (Sybil Hunt, One Warm Coat Community Outreach) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0000

"Warm up with us...!" With those words, officer Jessica Mercer of the Prince Georges County District V COPS Unit invited schools and agencies to create a super team to hold an area One Warm Coat drive. So many groups joined the project that Jessica had to contact Larinda for more banner and label packets! She wrote, "I am proud to share that... I am in need of an additional 20 packets as the rest of my participants come aboard. ...They are flying off the shelf!" We're proud of Jessica, too! With her warm invitation and obvious commitment, she's made loads of new friends in her community and is well on her way to making a big difference for those in need.

It's a 3-Peat! Burlington Coat Factory Customers Have Done it Again!

noreply@blogger.com (Sybil Hunt, One Warm Coat Community Outreach) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Sherri's off soon on an amazing road trip to deliver brand new warm coats to children across the country! It's a warm and wonderful "3-Peat" by customers checking out at Burlington Coat Factory's stores. They've donated over $135,000 to One Warm Coat for the purchase of new coats for kids! During October, Sherri joins a variety of agency teams to deliver the coats in person. She'll keep us updated on the cities she visits and the stories of the people who work to make a difference there. Thank you, Burlington Coat Factory patrons, for helping us spread the warmth again!

Refresh-ing! Check Out Our New Website!

noreply@blogger.com (Sybil Hunt, One Warm Coat Community Outreach) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:30:00 +0000

The One Warm Coat website has a fresh, new look and all the conveniences of a "home" designed to help YOU find what you need! Our architects helped make it even easier to get started with your coat drive, register your agency, find news about our terrific sponsors or read a feature story about a caring supporter. (We even refreshed our Tools and Resources.) Why not stop in for a visit today - and bring a friend!

Behind every statistic...is a caring friend!

noreply@blogger.com (Sybil Hunt, One Warm Coat Community Outreach) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:15:00 +0000

In many ways, it seems that statistics drive our work: We research how many people are in need, the number of coat drives in our system, number of coats collected, how many agencies helped distribute them and so forth. Recently, we smiled BIG when we learned that over 1,100 people in 19 countries "like"us on Facebook! And while we can never come face to face with all our friends and supporters, we are warmed by the knowledge that behind every statistic there's a real and caring person working hard - with us - to make warm coats available to those in need.

"Fall" Into Action to Warm Your Community

noreply@blogger.com (Sybil Hunt, One Warm Coat Community Outreach) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Celebrate the first day of Autumn with us! Leaves are falling, temperatures will soon drop. For One Warm Coat drive organizers and community service agencies, that means it's time to get busy! Almost 150 Organizers have already registered their coat drive plans. We've recently updated the tools on our website, so now it's even easier to Share Your Plan or Register Your Agency. Whether you're thinking of holding a workplace drive, a youth-led service project, a faith-based event or a coat drive to honor a personal milestone, it's so easy to make a difference for others. We invite you to "fall" into action with us today!

In Gratitude

noreply@blogger.com (Sybil Hunt, One Warm Coat Community Outreach) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:22:00 +0000

Today is World Gratitude Day, a day established by the United Nations Meditation Group to encourage people everywhere to express appreciation for the great things that individuals and groups do. Each day, we are grateful for our friends and supporters, who work to make a warm coat available - free of charge - to everyone who needs one. Have we told you lately that we LOVE all you do? (We do!)

Bunker Hill Publishing: Helping Us Help Others

noreply@blogger.com (Sybil Hunt, One Warm Coat Community Outreach) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:21:00 +0000

Bunker Hill Publishing is excited about their new book, "Helping Santa: My First Christmas Adventure with Grandma," and so are we! This familiar yet timeless tale perfectly depicts the spirit of caring that inspires generation after generation to help others. Check out their blog to learn more. (We especially appreciate the part that tells about their sharing a portion of the book's sales with One Warm Coat!) Thank you, Bunker Hill Publishing, for helping us get out the message that no one should go without a warm coat this winter.

A Pattern of Giving: Red Heart Yarn & One Warm Coat

noreply@blogger.com (Sybil Hunt, One Warm Coat Community Outreach) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:25:00 +0000

One Warm Coat enters the world of knit and crochet crafting this Fall, thanks to Red Heart Yarn! This generous sponsor has created the colorful Heartfelt Super Saver yarn just for us. Crafters everywhere are invited to knit or crochet a Heartfelt scarf and donate it to a local One Warm Coat drive. (Details on Red Heart's website.) A warm coat and a cozy scarf, One Warm Coat and Red Heart Yarn...We see a pattern here, a pattern of giving that will now warm communities...one coat - and one scarf - at a time! Sherri's starting HER scarf this week! Why not join her?

In a "State" of Good (Last Day for the Tom's of Maine Contest)

noreply@blogger.com (Sybil Hunt, One Warm Coat Community Outreach) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:58:00 +0000

The Tom's of Maine 50 States for Good competition ended yesterday. Whether we share the top monetary prize or not, we will definitely finish in a "state" of good fellowship and growing support! To all of you who joined us on this contest journey, we send a heartfelt thank you. As we turn our focus to Fall and Winter coat drive activities, we will remember your friendship and look forward to working together to warm communities...one coat at a time.

Your Vote = Warm Coats!

noreply@blogger.com (Sybil Hunt, One Warm Coat Community Outreach) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:46:00 +0000

There's one more week of open, daily voting in the Tom's of Maine 50 States for Good competition. (Click our widget to learn more - and vote.) With YOUR help, (and that of your friends & family) One Warm Coat could win part of the $150,000 award! Won't you join us in voting daily through 9/13? (Thank you!)

2 Minutes 2 Warm Thousands: Help Make Our Dream Come True!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Lewis Wood) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:38:00 +0000

In less than 2 minutes a day, YOU and your friends can help One Warm Coat get closer to our dream that everyone who wants a warm coat can get one, free of charge. Tom's of Maine (yes, the toothpaste company!) has chosen us as a finalist in a contest to win a share of $150,000! People of ALL AGES can vote - once each day - now through 9/13.

Your 2-minute task?

Click 50 States for Good to learn more
Click the vote "widget" there (or click the following link) to VOTE for One Warm Coat
Return each day to vote again!
Accept our heartfelt thanks for your support!

Your votes will help us climb the "leader board" to win a share of the prize that can make our dream come true.

Won't you join us? And share this post with your email, Facebook and Twitter friends? (Want a daily vote reminder? Contact us and we'll set you up.)

First Tuesday is KINDING day

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Lewis Wood) — Mon, 02 May 2011 18:59:00 +0000

I'll be taking a healthy snack to my favorite Girl Scout Leader tomorrow, May 3rd -- we are a big fan of First Book, a non-profit that provides new books for children in need.

One small KIND act from you can make a BIG difference in the lives of those who really need it!
Do the KIND Thing and help to make possible the BIG KIND Act of providing new books to children from low income families across the country. Visit www.KINDsnacks.com/world/mission to accept the KINDING Mission and get us one step closer to making the BIG KIND Act happen.

Doing Your Agency's Annual Report?

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Lewis Wood) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:24:00 +0000

Nancy L. was reporting on her Agency's annual activities. Last winter, many new people asked for warm coats, but the Agency hadn't had enough to meet the need. Checking their One Warm Coat listing, Nancy noticed that her contact information, needs, operating hours all needed updating!

This is exactly why we are conducting our " Stay in Touch" email update campaign to all our agency partners in May. Agencies in our database will receive a personalized email from OWC with a direct link to update and edit their contact information.

Now, as she shifts to summer activities, she can "close the books" on winter & One Warm Coat. We, too, are turning our focus to warm weather projects. , be sure to open Doug Selee's emails and update YOUR Agency's information! And please meet us HERE again in August for another year of warming communities... one coat at a time!

It's National VOLUNTEER Month! Sending our love!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Lewis Wood) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 20:00:00 +0000

BIG hugs & warm congratulations to our FABULOUS volunteers! Over 2,500 Organizers led coat drives during 2010 and collected over 750,000 coats! We try to tally the number of coats collected each year - but we absolutely lose count of all the deeply committed people who volunteer for coat drives across the country. We know 1 thing for sure: An amazing, caring volunteer touched every coat that was donated, counted, bagged, delivered & distributed! (If YOUR volunteers haven't yet received Thank You certificates, why not go to One Warm Coat, Share Your Success & request them now?) During April & all year 'round, we are deeply thankful for our incredible dedicated network of volunteers. You make all our work possible.

Go "Green" With Us This Earth Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Lewis Wood) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:21:00 +0000

It's Earth Day! What began in 1970 as a grass roots environmental movement has grown into an international way of life - and you can join the effort today without even leaving the house! One easy way to catch the spirit of the day is to open the closet door, take out the warm coat that no one is using and find a place to donate it. Call it "conservation" or "going green." In honor of reducing, reusing and recycling this Earth Day, we at One Warm Coat ask "What's in YOUR closet?"

A Place to Tell YOUR One Warm Coat Story!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Lewis Wood) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:20:00 +0000

We love reading notes & comments from our volunteer organizers & agencies! Here's another place where you can share YOUR experiences and help others discover One Warm Coat. GreatNonProfits is a site where experienced volunteers help other people learn about trustworthy nonprofits that are making a difference. During April, they're encouraging people to post reviews and ratings regarding Children & Family nonprofit activities. Did your family, school, scout troop or youth group donate coats or hold a coat drive? Then, YOU are a perfect reviewer! Just click HERE to start & then click Write a Review. (Thank you for helping us tell others how easy it is to make a difference. Can't wait to read your posts!)

Stay in Touch!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Lewis Wood) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:15:00 +0000

Announcing a One Warm Coat special summertime project! New COO (Chief Operating Officer) Doug Selee & his team are putting the final touches on their "Stay in Touch" plan to reach out to ALL our Agency friends this summer. Through fun, informative group activities like special calls and webinars, they hope to "meet" you and learn how we can serve you better! Watch your inbox for messages from Doug - and then Stay in Touch with us!

Think We're Great? Let Others Know!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Lewis Wood) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:35:00 +0000

You're invited to help us spread the word about One Warm Coat through GreatNonProfits. Think of them as a "rating service" for the non-profit world -- like Zagats or your favorite movie critic. Here's a chance for YOU to tell folks why you like One Warm Coat! Just click HERE to read our most recent reviews and write one of your own! Thanks, GreatNonProfits, for this unique opportunity to share our story across the digital world!

Schools That ROCK!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Lewis Wood) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:15:00 +0000

"Each principal wanted to know if we would do this again next year!" writes Cathy J. of Garden Grove, CA. Cathy's Girl Scout Troop 1224 took their Bronze Award project to SIX individual area schools this year. They worked with school administrators in each location to build the local network necessary to support their coat drive on a grand scale. Together, Patton Elementary, St. Paul's Lutheran, Garden Park Elementary, Barker Elementary, Enders Elementary and Ralston Intermediate schools "rocked" the coat drive process so well that they reached their collection goal and more! Thanks, Cathy, for sharing this story of the kids' success. Garden Grove's motto is "The City of Youth and Ambition!" Now we know WHY!

One Warm Coat Welcomes Doug Selee, new Chief Operating Officer!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Lewis Wood) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:35:00 +0000

Doug Selee

Doug Selee has joined One Warm Coat as our new COO (Chief Operating Officer)! Doug, a former VP of Operations for the American Cancer Society, brings a fantastic breadth of knowledge and deep experience to this newly-created role. He has already begun working with me and the Board, to learn how the “home team” supports our volunteers and sponsors and to share his considerable expertise. WE’VE learned that Doug has an easy smile, boundless energy and a deep commitment to our shared cause. Follow our blog and check out our newsletter to “meet” Doug and learn more about ways we can work together toward our goal of 1 million coats next season!

Best Time to Get Creative!

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri Lewis Wood) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Last week, warnings of still more heavy rains or “a foot of snow” were common from CA to MA. Here’s an idea to make use of the frustration we all feel when winter just won’t quit. The moment after you’ve finished yet another snow person or stepped over that deep puddle next to your car – when you’ve come inside and taken off YOUR warm coat – is actually a great time to commit to holding a future event to collect coats for others. Why not check out One Warm Coat's website for ideas? Some extra-creative organizers have held warm weather drives as part of a child's birthday party or special family gathering. We bet you know just the right occasion for your own. (In the meantime, to help us all get through this last bit of winter, enjoy this giant sculpture named for a Senator whose last name is Snow!)