The Act Of Giving Back (Operation Warmth)

Hey guys,

My father taught my brothers and I the act of helping others and paying it forward at an early age. When he got laid off in the winter months of 2004, he decided to start a charity that helped the homeless stay warm during the winter months. As he was driving home, he passed people living on the streets and knew he had to do something about that; he had to make a difference. When he got home, he asked my second older brother if he wanted to help him with making a change and making a difference, and he quickly said "Yes". My dad then asked me and my other two brothers and we also quickly said "Yes". My dad and (second) older brother came up with the name ; "Operation Warmth". 

Our first year was December 2005, the Saturday morning before Christmas. We collect winter clothing and items throughout the year. We go downtown with all of the donations and set up all of the banana boxes full of clothing on the sidewalk and other items, and the homeless come and get what they need. You might think they would be pushing each other and grabbing everything that they could hold, but no they are really polite and pretty much stand in a line.

How do we get all of these donations?  We let our friends and family know on Facebook where to drop off their donations, we post about the charity on online garage sales groups, we make boxes and place them around the community (at schools,businesses, churches,etc.). We also go to garage sales throughout the summer and purchase items that way as well.  

One year we made Christmas cards for the homeless. We went to a local elementary school and talked to the art teacher, and she had the students make Christmas cards for the homeless. Another year we made little (Christmas trees, Stars, and more) ornaments out of construction paper and etc.  Each year we try to also pass out candy canes to the homeless. Even though we already have winter clothing and necessities for them, we still want to make them feel remembered more. 

I still have memories from when I actually went down there that morning. I still help by donating, spreading the word on social media and etc. One memory that I still have to this day is one year a homeless man gave me a stocking filled with a variety of items. There was gum, a toothbrush, toothpaste,socks and more. He could have kept it for himself to have his feet stay warm but he consisted that I take and keep the stocking. Another year, a homeless man gave my younger brother a backpack. He could have kept it for himself to store things but again, he wanted my bother to have it. Some homeless people are really nice and even though they are in a tough situation, they still put others before themselves like the two men that I have just talked about.

Garage filled with banana boxes of clothing and etc.

Living room filled with more banana boxes filled with clothes and etc.

December of 2015 was supposed to be our last year doing this charity as my dad, the founder,moved out of state earlier in 2015 but he didn't want that to be the end of "Operation Warmth". This year he once again came back a few months before this year's date (the 23rd of December) because he doesn't want to stop helping the homeless stay warm through the winter months.

Vans and trailers used to transfer banana boxes downtown

You could ask "Why don't we do this earlier into the winter months"?  We always do it the Saturday before Christmas because we want them to feel like they are not forgotten and loved. It also like they are receiving Christmas presents for us if they sadly don't receive any.  We want them to know that they are being thought about especially during the cold and snowy months. We also want them to know that it doesn't matter what your story is and the reason why they are homeless, we just want them to stay warm and know whatever their story is, that they are worth it.

<3 Amanda