SANFORD  – On  Feb. 15, Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee Cafua Management Company delivered 500 brand-new winter coats to children at Willard Elementary School, through its partnership with Operation Warm, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing new winter coats to children in need. 

“The Willard School Community is so grateful to be chosen for the gift of a new coat to every child in our school,’ said Deborah W. Gaudreau, Willard School principal. “Outside play during the Maine winter is often limited due to the lack of proper outerwear for many children in our school. The warm coats will allow our students to play outside and enjoy a healthy break from their regular school work routines.  Thank you for keeping our children warm.”

“Supporting and working to strengthen the communities in which we do business is an important part of our mission,” said Cafua Management Company CEO, Mark Cafua. “We truly value this opportunity to partner with Operation Warm, to bring warmth and joy to our communities’ youngest members, and also to engage our employees in meaningful, local programs. 

According to informaiton provided by Operation Warm, more than one in four children in Sanford live in families with incomes below the federal poverty line. 

“The gift of a brand new winter coat will give the children in Sanford a boost of confidence and empowerment, and help them to get to school and play outside for the rest of the Maine winter,” said Grace Sica, Operation Warm’s Director of Partnerships. “For the adults, this coat giving event inspires the community and reminds us that businesses, like Dunkin Donuts, can be a force for good and hope.” 

Cafua Management Company employee volunteers will visited Willard Elementary School to personally fit each child with a new winter coat in their favorite color and help them write their name in the interior tag which reads, “Made Just for You.”