Operation Warm Goes on a '3 Millionth Coat Tour,' Next Stop Pittsburgh with IGS

Nonprofit Celebrates 20 years, Sets Goal to Serve 3 Million Children by Winter

Pittsburgh, PA October 25, 2018 – Sixty-one percent of the students at Pittsburgh Public Schools receive free or reduced meals. Many of these children must walk to school, even on freezing cold days. And unfortunately, necessities like warm winter clothing can be hard to come by when food, housing, heat and healthcare take priority.

On Thursday, October 25, IGS volunteers will visit Pittsburgh Allegheny Elementary School in Pittsburgh to put on a coat donation event for hundreds of kids in need. The event will pair volunteers with young students to help them try on, and go home with, a brand-new, warm winter coat. The gift of a new coat not only keeps a child warm, but provides a boost in self-esteem and the confidence to get to school on cold days.

Since 1998, Operation Warm and its partners have given away over 2 million coats across North America. IGS’ coat donation event is part of Operation Warm’s ‘3 Millionth Coat Tour,’ a season-long effort highlighting Operation Warm and their partners’ initiatives in over a dozen cities across the country.

Since 2014, IGS Energy has donated 17,500 brand-new winter coats to children in need through the partnership with Operation Warm, and this year, plans to surpass its goal of donating 13,000 coats through their Bundle Up campaign.

“When a current or new customer ‘bundles’ two or more products together, we make a donation to Operation Warm to help children stay warm this season,” said Ryker Wasmund, market manager, for IGS. “And just like Operation Warm, we believe that every child deserves to feel the warmth and confidence that comes from a new fleece coat. We are honored and excited to be doing our part to support the 3 Millionth Coat Tour.”

“We’re launching our 20th year of serving children and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than by highlighting our hardworking partners,” explains Dick Sanford, Operation Warm founder and CEO. “We have seen time and again that giving brand new coats to children not only provides warmth, but also boosts their self-esteem, school attendance and the opportunity to play outside. IGS’ passion and dedication to our shared mission will help drive us toward reaching our 3 millionth child.”

IGS volunteers will visit Pittsburgh Allegheny K-5 Elementary School to personally fit each child with a brand-new coat in a bright, kid-friendly color and to help them write their name on a label that reads, “Made Just for You.”

Media is welcome to attend.

Pittsburgh Allegheny K-5 Elementary School

810 Arch Street Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018; 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

About Operation Warm

Operation Warm is a national nonprofit that creates brand new, high-quality coats and gives them away to children in need. Every child, regardless of their economic situation, deserves a brand-new coat. We partner with compassionate individuals and organizations across North America to give a gift of warmth, confidence and hope. Operation Warm believes a brand-new coat is more than a coat, promoting self-esteem, school attendance and outdoor play.

To help Operation Warm reach their 3 millionth child this winter, get involved at OperationWarm.org/3million.

About the IGS Family of Companies

With nearly 30 years of experience in the energy industry, the IGS family of companies provides the following to over one million customers across the country: natural gas, electricity, and home warranty products; power generation solutions off the grid; clean, domestic alternative fueling options; and solar solutions. The company focuses on empowering consumers to make choices that best fit their energy needs. Their community investment program, IGS Impact, provides employees with opportunities to get involved with causes that are meaningful to both the company and to them personally. To learn more, visit https://www.igs.com/.

www.operationwarm.org           www.igs.com

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Media Contacts:

Lauren Holloway

Operation Warm

610-388-2500 x136, lholloway@operationwarm.org

Teresa Ralston

IGS

614-659-5400, Teresa.Ralston@igs.com