Operation Warm (Coat) hits Coeur d'Alene

COEUR d’ALENE — Colorful coats for ages 6 to 15 spanned tables at the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County in Coeur d'Alene on Friday as kids picked out free new coats ahead of winter.

Mayson Mitchell, 11, was excited to put his name on his coat before stowing it in his cubby to get back to playing. 

“It’s comfortable and I like the color,” Mayson said. 

Lola Hagadone was excited to volunteer and help guide kids to the best fit and colors to suit them through the season. 

“It’s just a joyous occasion for the young people to get coats, especially right when it’s getting cold out," she said.

Rita Case, president and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group in Florida, obtained the coats for local kids through nonprofit Operation Warm. 

Operation Warm has served more than 5 million children across North America with new coats and shoes since 1998.      

“It brings me such joy to be able to do this each year, knowing that our youth will be warm this winter,” Case said. 

Making sure that the kids get a variety of vibrant, never-worn coats is a cornerstone of Operation Warm.

Finley Scott, 11, was thrilled to try out her new “cool” teal coat she loves. 

Her friend, Carmen Yadao, 12, joined her in putting away her pink new jacket.  

“It’s really warm and fuzzy and I enjoy the colors,” Carmen said. 

    Finley Scott, 11, selects a teal jacket from the selection of free coats for kids at the Lola and Duane Hagadone Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County.
  

    Finley Scott and Carmen Yadao show off their new coats through Operation Warm on Friday at The Lola and Duane Hagadone Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County.