Millions of children and adults across the country are experiencing homelessness and other urgent need situations on any given night. In the first year of the partnership, Subaru and its retailers nationwide will connect and host donation events with shelters and support agencies in their local communities to provide more than 150,000 children with the essential clothing they need to thrive.
“For too many children, going without a coat, shoes, or even socks can mean the difference between going to school, participating in activities, and feeling confident in themselves,” said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America, Inc. “By pairing our own commitment to be ‘More Than a Car Company,’ with Operation Warm’s mission of being ‘More Than a Coat’ we’re providing children in urgent need with the opportunity to select and own the brand-new necessities they deserve.”
In partnership with Operation Warm, about 630 Subaru retailers nationwide have been matched with a beneficiary organization in their local community serving children in need. Through gifting and drop-off events, children can personally select their new pieces of clothing. These items are intended to not only help children stay warm and dry, but also to positively impact their mental and emotional well-being.
“Coats, shoes, and socks provide so much more than just physical warmth, and programs like this are giving kids in urgent need the relief and confidence to socialize and succeed,” said Grace Sica, Executive Director of Operation Warm. “Teaming up with Subaru, who clearly shares our values of community connection, allows us to bring warmth and confidence to even more children around the country than ever before.”
Through the partnership, Subaru becomes the largest automotive supporter of Operation Warm. By the end of the campaign, including historical Subaru Loves to Help efforts, Subaru will have helped more than 750,000 children and adults in urgent need so far.
On January 17, the automaker will kick off the 2024 Subaru Loves to Help campaign with one of its largest community-focused donation events held at Subaru of America headquarters in Camden, NJ. Employee volunteers will be serving close to 1,000 children from Camden with brand new clothing items. Working with eight local community organizations and nonprofits that benefit children and families in urgent need, the attendees will also be treated to an evening of fun, food, and games to celebrate the occasion.
To learn more about Operation Warm, visit https://www.operationwarm.org/.
For more information about the Subaru Loves to Help initiative, please visit subaru.com/help and follow #SubaruLovestoHelp.