Sauk Village Students Receive Winter Coats Through Partnership

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL – Despite the fact the greater Chicago area has not seen any measurable snow this season, Tuesday's official first day of winter provided the perfect occasion for a local organization to provide warm coats to students in need.

Nicor Gas, which is based in Naperville, has partnered with not-for profit partner Operation Warm to help provide 1,700 new winter coats to students at qualifying schools around the Chicago area. On Tuesday, the company made its first delivery of 250 coats to Strassburg Elementary School in Sauk Village.

Volunteers and officials from Nicor Gas participated in the event along with Sauk Village Mayor Derrick Burgess and community members to ensure that students received new coats ahead of the Christmas holiday.

“As we enter another holiday season there are many in our communities who are still reeling from the pandemic,” John O. Hudson III, president and CEO of Nicor Gas said in a news release. “During this winter season, we are proud to continue to provide warm homes and warmer hearts through our partnership with Operation Warm.”

Operation Warm is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing warmth, confidence and hope for children in need through the gift of brand-new coats, according to a news release. Founded in 1998, Operation Warm and its partners have provided more than 4 million coats across America.

As part of its Warm Homes, Warmer Hearts campaign, Nicor Gas is donating one brand-new winter coat to a child in need for every energy-saving kit customers ordered in October from the Energy Efficiency Program, the company said Tuesday.

With kit orders and donations from Nicor Gas, together with Operation Warm, more than 1,700 new coats will be provided to students at qualifying Title 1 schools this winter.

“These coats could not have come at a better time for our students” Jennifer Camilleri, principal at Strassburg Elementary said in a news release. “We are grateful to Nicor Gas and Operation Warm. These coats provide hope for our students, their families and our community during an otherwise cold holiday season.”

Additional coat distribution events are planned for January in Hopkins Park and Harvey. For more information about Operation Warm and Nicor Gas’ Warm Homes, Warmer Hearts commitment, visit nicorgas.com/warmhearts.