By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Last Friday, Accenture employees and Seattle police officers held a coat drive at Rising Star Elementary School, providing hundreds of brand-new coats to every student in the school. Through a partnership with Operation Warm—a national nonprofit organization that manufactures and donates coats and shoes to children in need across the U.S. and Canada—Accenture aims to alleviate financial strain on local families, ensuring children stay warm this winter. By donating coats to students, Accenture hopes to offer more than warmth, helping to instill confidence and security in students as they enter the colder months.
Sandy Tathamhlong, Seasonal Events Coordinator for Operation Warm, explained that the organization’s mission is not only to meet children’s basic needs but also to support their growth and success.
“We [Operation Warm] are a national nonprofit that manufactures and donates brand-new coats and shoes for children in need,” said Tathamhlong. “Our mission is to provide hope, warmth, and confidence to children and connect them with their local communities through these volunteer events.”
Tathamhlong emphasized that the significance of the coat drive goes beyond physical warmth.
“The significance of what we do is that we provide children with coats that give them physical warmth through cold weather. But also, just having a brand-new coat that is theirs means more than simply owning a coat,” she continued. “It provides them with the confidence they need so they can strive and thrive in life.”
In an inspiring display of community support, Accenture and the Seattle Police Department partnered with Operation Warm to distribute hundreds of new coats to the students of Rising Star Elementary in Seattle, WA. Together, they ensured that each child at the school would be prepared for the winter months ahead.
During the event, each classroom took turns coming down to the school’s auditorium, where community volunteers, parents, representatives from the Seattle Police Department, and organizers gathered to encourage and assist the children. The auditorium was filled with rows of coats in a range of colors and designs, alongside additional gifts such as school supplies and stickers. Children walked through the aisles, exploring and picking out coats that caught their eye, with police officers and volunteers helping them try on and choose their favorites, much like sales associates in a department store.
“I think this event is absolutely wonderful,” said Detective Denise “Cookie” Bouldin of the Seattle Police Department. “These coats are going to all kids in the school, not just a few, but every single kid in the school. I can’t wait to see the expressions on their faces.”
Bouldin highlighted the importance of providing new items to children, many of whom might not otherwise have access to a new coat.
“A lot of kids, their parents may not be able to afford a coat, so here, today, the children are going to get a brand-new coat,” said Bouldin. “Not a used coat or a coat that someone donated—these coats are all new, they’re beautiful, they’re colorful, and the kids get to pick whichever coat they want.”
Accenture, known for its commitment to creating positive change globally and locally, organized the event with Seattle Police to help meet the needs of children in the Seattle community. Steven Landry, a representative from Accenture, spoke about the company’s dedication to making a difference.
“We are here as one of the sponsors of this event, working closely with the Seattle Police Department to help organize with Operation Warm,” said Landry. “I think now more than ever, it is important to bring joy and support to our local communities, and that is important to not only myself but for Accenture.”
The coat drive represents Accenture’s broader efforts to foster social responsibility by working alongside local organizations to meet community needs. Events like these provide relief to families and serve as a reminder of the difference that partnerships between businesses, nonprofits, and law enforcement can make.
As successful as the event was, community leaders hope to see similar initiatives expanded across the region, benefiting even more children in need. “I wish we had the opportunity to go into every school and do this,” said Bouldin. “Go to every community and do this, because it is important for a child to have something that is their own, something that is new, that they can cherish and know is theirs.”
