Church of the Cross's donates warm coats to Lakeview Elementary School

What child doesn't like a new winter coat to warm up against winter's cold and snow? Unfortunately, getting a new coat is not always an option if you've outgrown your old coat. During this difficult time of the pandemic, the money for a new coat may have to be spent for rent, food or other necessities. That's why this year's drive to provide warm coats for children brought a record response from members of Church of the Cross, Presbyterian USA.

Deacons of the Hoffman Estates church partnered with Operation Warm to donate 72 new winter coats to children from nearby Lakeview School. The school has a large population of children from low-income families.

"This year, a request for donations for coats went out to our congregation in mid-September, and within two weeks we received $1,600," said Judie Truelsen, moderator of the deacons.

The coats were picked up at the church and distributed to children in kindergarten through sixth grade by Aubrey Hayes, school social worker.

"The children and their families are grateful to receive the coats and look forward to staying warm all winter long," said Hayes.

In addition to the coats, some scarves and wool caps were purchased with money left over. This is the 11th year that Church of the Cross has purchased winter coats and donated them to neighborhood schoolchildren in need.