Sunrise Rotary heats up Operation Warm

The partnership of two dedicated organizations, Rehoboth Beach Sunrise Rotary Club and Operation Warm, will result in a much more comfortable winter for 84 Cape Henlopen district students receiving brand-new coats, according to Sunrise Rotary Club President Pat Campbell-White.

"A winter coat is essential during Rehoboth winters," said Dr. Raymond Bryant, president-elect. "A brand-new coat provides more than just warmth, but allows a child to attend school on cold and rainy days, and gives them a chance to play outside and stay active year round. Giving a child something new provides the added benefit of helping to increase self-esteem and peer acceptance, and represents a true moment of joy for these young recipients."

The coats were distributed in early December to children identified by the Cape Henlopen School District and West Rehoboth Community Center as most in need of the warming donation. Sunrise Rotary's participation in the project was sparked by the club's Community Services Chair Uday Jani, who learned about Operation Warm when he participated in Run Inspired, which also supported the organization. When he discussed the group with the club and with Harry Keswani, founder of the local Harry K Foundation, he received immediate and generous support.

"The response couldn't have been a more gratifying illustration of the Rotary Club's mission, 'service above self,'" said Jani. "Everyone wanted to help, and we quickly collected enough in donations to purchase 84 new coats. The goal of making a child feel valued and empowered to get to school resonated with us all."