Bringing Warmth and Smiles to Renovo Elementary

By Autumn Gavlock
In an integrated effort to support the youth of Renovo, Blaise Alexander Subaru of Muncy partnered with Clinton County United Way and Operation Warm to host a Coat & Shoe Giveaway for students at Renovo Elementary School. The event, held on February 7, 2025, coincided with the school’s 100th Day of School Celebration, where students and staff dressed in “elderly attire” to mark the occasion. The combination of these two events added an extra layer of fun and excitement to an otherwise typical Friday morning.

Over 200 students at Renovo Elementary eagerly made their way through the school library, one classroom at a time, to be fitted for a brand-new winter coat and pair of sneakers. Students from Kindergarten through sixth grade were thrilled to receive not only coats and sneakers, but also socks, all thanks to the Subaru Loves to Help initiative. A total of 170 coats, in a range of colors and sizes from Youth 5/6 to Adult Medium, were available, along with 170 pairs of sneakers from Toddler Size 9 to Adult Size 9 also available in multiple color options.

Many students loved their new items so much that they immediately swapped out their old shoes for their fresh pairs, proudly wearing them for the rest of the school day. Throughout the hallways, kids could be seen sporting their new, beautiful coats as they passed by. The few coats that remained unclaimed at the end of the event were boxed up and donated to the school’s emergency supply for children in immediate need throughout the year. School Guidance Counselor Devan Corl expressed deep appreciation for this contribution, noting that these items would certainly come in handy.

Subaru Loves to Help initiative, which has supported over 750,000 children and adults nationwide, served as the foundation for the event. Dave Kelley, General Manager of Blaise Alexander Subaru in Muncy, shared his personal connection to the cause, saying, “I’m so thrilled to be back in my hometown, giving back to the community that helped shape me. It’s such a heartwarming feeling to know we’re making a difference.” Jim Redos, Team Leader at the dealership, echoed that sentiment, adding, “There’s just something so special about your hometown. Being able to help kids in Renovo is truly rewarding.”

So many kiddos expressed their excitement as they picked out their new coats and sneakers. Fifth-grader Alexah couldn’t contain her joy when she received a bright red coat, exclaiming, “Yes! Red is my favorite color!”
Another fifth-grader, Maddison Wagner, smiled brightly as she selected a pair of pink sneakers to match her friend. “It’s pretty nice of them to just give us these,” she said, Elated with her best friend.

Brody Dorey, Kindergarten, shared the thoughtful reason behind his choice of colors. “I picked these colors because they are my big sister’s favorite colors, and she loves red, white, and blue,” he said proudly, holding up his new sneakers.

Thanks to the generosity of Blaise Alexander Subaru and its partners, students whom were in need at Renovo Elementary are now well-equipped to face the harsh winter months with warmth and confidence. Operation Warm, a national nonprofit committed to ensuring children have the essential resources to thrive, believes that providing items like coats, shoes, and socks does more than just offer physical protection from the cold—it also has a profound impact on a child’s mental and emotional well-being.

Clinton County United Way, another local partnering nonprofit, is dedicated to strengthening lives and improving community conditions, and played a vital role in the success of the event. Katrina Selby, the Community Outreach Manager for the United Way shared “We at the Clinton County United Way are deeply grateful for the opportunity to partner with Blaise Alexander Subaru to make another Operation Warm event a success for the children at Renovo Elementary School.”

Selby, pointed out the smooth execution of the giveaway, noting, “Everything ran so smoothly, and being able to work one-on-one with the kids to make sure they had the right sizes was so beneficial.” It’s just so sweet to see the happiness on their faces”.

David Walz, Sales Consultant at Blaise Alexander Subaru, echoed Selby’s sentiments, extending his thanks to the staff at Renovo Elementary for their support. “The teachers were so helpful, making sure each classroom of students went smoothly and that every child received the correct size,” Walz said. “A big thanks to them for all their help.”

The Coat & Shoe Giveaway, coordinated through the partnership between Blaise Alexander Subaru, Clinton County United Way, and Operation Warm, serves as a powerful metaphor. Not only did it provide literal warmth to the children of Renovo Elementary, but it also offered metaphorical warmth through comfort, kindness, and friendliness. The smiles on the children’s faces said it all—this collaboration was a true success!

For those interested in learning more about Blaise Alexander Subaru’s ongoing efforts to help children in need, visit their website at www.AlexanderSubaruInc.com. To learn more about Clinton County United Way and their initiatives, visit http://www.ClintonCountyUnitedWay.org