COLUMBUS, Ohio– On any other day, that bell ringing inside Avondale Elementary in Columbus would be just another bell, but on Thursday, it meant that it was time for something special.
- Operation Warm provides coats to those in need
- Over 3 million coats have been provided throughout the last 20 years
- Every student at Avondale Elementary received a new winter coat
"I just got my new winter coat," Avondale Student Jazymn Houston said.
Houston and her classmates received the brand new coats from Operation Warm.
Cornell Bradberry with Operation Warm said the non-profit has given out more than 3 million coats throughout the last 20 years to those in need.
"It brings confidence. It brings hope. It brings warmth," he said.
"They're standing outside of the bus. [They're] waiting for the bus and they're freezing. They don't have the coat or their parents don't have what they need to provide for a coat. This creates an opportunity for them to come in and get a coat and get a hug [and] high fives," Bradberry said.
Michael Seymoor said he was excited to tell his family.
"I'm going to say, 'Dad. Look! I got a new coat from school today,'" he said.
Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine was there helping students choose their favorite color while also finding the right fit.
"One little girl was just not so sure what she wanted. She put the coat on, and she said, 'I am so happy!' And I think that was great," DeWine said.
Meanwhile, Houston could barely hold in her excitement.
"I'm feeling amazing!" she said.
