8th Annual Women Making A Difference
Warmth In Winter Project

1. The Warmth in Winter Committee
2. Kim with a fan of Santa
3. With Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown
4. Kim and Don Tolefson of Fox 29
5. The Philly Fanatic made an appearance

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Warmth in Winter was created by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, as a vehicle through which, assistance is given to homeless children living in shelters and transitional homes across the city of Philadelphia.

Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, a children and youth advocate, wanted to sponsor this unique clothing drive to ensure that Philadelphia's homeless children had some warmth during the holiday season and beyond.

Moving into its 7th year, the project—designed as a holiday program—collects mittens, hats, gloves and scarves, and distributes them to "shelter partners" around the City. They in turn give them out to the children residing in their respective facilities.

The collection process involves organizations (e.g., community centers, corporate offices, legislative offices, malls, transportation locations, churches, etc.,) partnering with the program by becoming drop-off sites for the clothing items.

The Success – One Step at a Time
Over the last seven years, the Warmth in Winter project, in conjunction with Keystone Mercy Health Plan, Verizon, the Mayor's Office of Community Services (MOCS), the Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Emergency Shelter Services (OESS), Teenagers in Charge, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, and a host of volunteers, worked together to collect more than 6000 hats, mittens, gloves and scarves from individuals around the City.

The finale is held in City Hall where representatives from 36 shelters and transitional homes, are presented with holiday bags filled with items for distribution. More than 60 children from these organizations are also in attendance to meet Santa Claus, and/or our featured celebrity.

2007 Program: Between October 28 and December 7, 2007, the Women Making A Difference, Warmth in Winter project will once again collect new mittens, new hats and new gloves for the children of Philadelphia. The goal is to increase the collection by 15%.

Our Partners: Over the last seven years include Aramark, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Keystone Mercy Health Plan, Sovereign Bank, Moxie Women, Office of Emergency Shelter Services (OESS), Philadelphia Reads, Sovereign Bank and Teenagers In Charge, The Department of Human Services, The Philadelphia Area Knit Out, UrbanPhilly.com, Verizon and Wal-Mart

If you would like to be a partner or sponsor a drop off box at your place of business contact us at the Office of Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown: 215-686-3438.