Since 2020, the Rotary Club of St. Charles Breakfast has been a valued community partner of Operation Warm, working to gift brand-new coats to children in their local area through their Koats for Kids initiative. What began as a small community fundraiser has grown into a full-circle effort—fundraising, organizing, and volunteering to meet growing needs across the Tri-Cities region.
This National Volunteer Month, we’re spotlighting all forms of volunteerism, and to highlight some incredible ways that our Community Partners incorporate volunteerism into their programs, we spoke to Tassie Brautigam, who leads the Operation Warm program for the Rotary Club of St. Charles Breakfast. In her own words, Tassie shares how Koats for Kids came to life, how their program continues to grow, and what volunteerism means to the members who make it all possible.
1. How did Koats for Kids come to life and what inspired your club to partner with Operation Warm?
Koats for Kids came about when it was noticed that on the Christmas Angel Tree tags from the local Salvation Army, almost all of them requested a coat. Fifteen years ago, we secured donations from friends and family and held a fundraising evening at a local restaurant. In that first year, we raised about $3,000 and were able to purchase about 85 coats to donate. Originally, it was thought we would just serve the local Salvation Army. However, over time, we included the three Tri-Cities School Districts—St. Charles D303, Geneva D304, and Batavia D101—then Lazarus House, our local homeless shelter, and the Specialty Courts of Kane County. As organizations learned about us, the requests came in. With the increased need, we needed to stretch our donation dollars as efficiently as possible. That is when Operation Warm came into play - And what a partnership it has been! This past year, we donated a total of 786 coats. We have come a long way from originally donating 85 coats!
2. How does your club approach planning and executing your Operation Warm program each year?
There is a sub-committee in our club of 5 members who get together to discuss the year ahead (usually in June) as well as several members from the Batavia Rotary Club. In 2023 we were excited to start a partnership with the Batavia Rotary Club as our Koats for Kids Project expanded to include the entire Tri City area.
3. What does volunteering mean to your club members personally—and how does it deepen your connection to the community you serve?
Our Koats for Kids program is the largest event that our club puts on and supports. Volunteering means a ton to us and our members, and we always keep in mind that we have a lot of young members in our club who have children and work full-time. This means there is not a lot of extra time on their hands. However, by soliciting friends, family, and business associates for donations, they are able to be a part of the big impact we have on the local Tri-Cities communities. It certainly helps all of us keep perspective about the communities surrounding us.
4. Do you have a standout memory or story from your Operation Warm program that continues to motivate your club to give back?
An administrator from St. Charles School District D303 wrote us: " I was just thinking this morning that so many kids will have warm coats at the bus stop this morning that were provided by the St. Charles Breakfast Rotary. Thank you for making this possible." And again, nothing illustrates how impactful our coat donation is, than the student from one of the local school districts who received a coat that wasn't quite the right size. He asked if we could get him the correct size (of course we can!) BUT he also asked if he could keep the miss-sized coat for his dad who needed one. In both cases we said of course!! Then a judge from the local specialty courts wrote us the following: "At this time in their lives many of our participants are rebuilding from nothing. To have one need met (a new winter coat) that most of us take for granted can make a huge difference." We have learned there is much need out there. We just need to be open to listening to it.
5. What advice do you have for other community organizations looking to make an impact with Operation Warm?
Be cognizant that when there are young members in your organization, as they say, meet them where they are at. If the time they have to volunteer permits them to cut ribbons or tag coats, that is a wonderful gift. If they only have time to do solicitations, that’s okay too. We also try to do coat deliveries in the evening when those who work might be more available. Yes, not everyone has the same amount of time to contribute but cherish the time that anyone can give - whether with a donation, volunteering, soliciting others, or cheering your organization on.
Full-Circle Giving in Action
The Rotary Club of St. Charles Breakfast demonstrates how passion and community collaboration can turn a small idea into a powerful movement. We’re incredibly grateful for their continued partnership and the many ways they show up for their community year after year.
This National Volunteer Month, consider getting your organization together to start your own program with Operation Warm. Become a community partner today.
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