NILES, Ohio – The PNC Foundation and Operation Warm partnered again Tuesday to distribute 400 new winter coats to preschoolers at Alta Head Start, continuing an annual effort to support young children and families as colder weather arrives.
The event, funded through a $10,000 PNC Foundation grant, brought PNC volunteers together with staff from Alta Care Group to help ensure children have the essentials they need to stay healthy and engaged in learning.
Ted Schmidt, PNC regional president, said the coat distribution reflects the bank’s long-standing commitment to early childhood education through its Grow Up Great initiative. “As winter approaches and it’s cold, not only is it a health issue for the children, but it also impedes their learning,” he said. “We know that giving back to our community is the most important thing.”
Alta Care Group CEO Vince Paolucci said the partnership helps meet a critical need for Head Start families. “A lot of our families have struggled with finances, and it’s really a benefit for them,” he said.