University of Delaware event puts focus on childhood poverty

Some University of Delaware students and local elected officials are teaming up to provide winter coats for children who live in poverty.

Operation Warm, a suburban Philadelphia-based organization which began in 1998, is kicking off “One Night Without Warmth” tonight in front of Memorial Hall at the Newark campus.  Delaware Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn, Newark Mayor Vance Funk and Operation Warm founder Dick Sanford will be drawing attention to the fact that more than 17,500 children in Delaware are affected by poverty.  Operation Warm works with various service organizations and individuals to collect donated coats, and attempts to provide a new winter coat for as many elementary students in need as possible.  Attendees at the UD event are being asked to go without a coat for a few minutes.  The event is organized in partnership with the campus Alpha Phi Omega chapter and Circle K student organization.