On Jan. 27, Central Elementary School students received free coats thanks to Operation Warm, a non-profit that works with organizations to provide brand-new, high-quality coats for children. 

Students lined up and picked out a coat that they wanted with multiple colors and sizes to choose from. 

“It means a lot for these kids to get a new coat,” teacher James Crocker said. “It makes them feel valued and important.” 

Operation Warm’s #MoreThanACoat symbolizes their mission to give each child a warm item to wear and a warm feeling of comfort.

“The excitement that we see from the kids about getting a coat is priceless,” said Bree Jimenez, professor at the University of Texas at Arlington's College of Education and Operation Warm volunteer. “It brings the students physical and emotional warmth and shows them that the community cares about them.” 

School counselor Ashraf Sheikh coordinated the event with Operation Warm. 

“These kids need a heavy coat,” Sheikh said. “It makes me excited to see the kids excited. It’s a surreal and emotional feeling.”