6 Rotary clubs participate in this year's Operation Warm

YOUNGSTOWN

Robert Thigpen, 4, picked his coat based on the color.

“Blue is my favorite color,” the Harding Elementary School preschooler said.

Isaiah Patterson, 3, another preschooler, said his coat is warm too.

This marks the fourth year the Youngstown Rotary has participated in Operation Warm, distributing new winter coats to children who need them.

This year, all six Rotary clubs in Mahoning County — Youngstown, Austintown, Boardman, Canfield, Poland and Struthers — participated in the fundraising and coat distribution, with each club choosing how to give out the garments.

Carol Sherman, a member of the steering committee that coordinated the Rotary effort, said this year’s goal was to raise $50,000, but the clubs raised more than $66,000.

Read more about the program in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.