Kids Get Free Winter Coats At Ocean City Library

Ocean City Public Library and Operation Warm teamed up Monday to give out free coats and books to community children. Library staff couldn't believe the smiles and love for reading that ensued.

Fifty-five children received new coats, and kids were also able to take home two books each. Operation Warm provided Ocean City with a grant through its Library Program.

Then something happened that was better than the library could have predicted. Ocean City Public Library gained 49 new member, hosting a larger crowd than the usual January evening.

"Our circulation desk had a line at the end of January," said library director Karen Mahar. "In the summer, we always have a line. But in January, the staff was like, 'This is awesome.'"

Operation Warm has supplied millions of coats to children in need. Their Library Program provides one new coat and two new books to each child.

The event also featured crafts and a puppet show from Tucker's Tales. The Christ Child Society of Cape May County volunteered to equip kids with their coats. From there, children's eyes lit up.

"You should've seen their faces," Mahar said. "Just the warmth and confidence the children showed through getting the gift of a winter coat was just really cool."

Photos provided by Ocean City Public Library