Haeeah deWeever, staff writer

If you’re looking for ways to help those in need this winter season, look no further. Operation Warm, a winter clothing drive, has taken the Augsburg campus by storm. You can spot these big brown boxes in almost every building on campus. If you or anyone you know has new or gently used snow pants, mittens, gloves, winter hats, socks, coats or jackets in any size, make sure you donate them to any of the brown boxes labeled “Operation Warm.”

“Where are my donated clothing items going?” you may ask. These winter clothing items will be given to local Ecuadorian families who are new to our area and have yet to experience the brutal Minnesota winters. You can be the person to make a change right here in your community. You could help a family who just might not have the funds to dress their little ones properly or that needs a little extra support to make it through. You can truly make a difference in someone’s life through this simple task. 

Can you imagine going through an entire winter without the proper clothing? A person’s susceptibility to frostbite and the common flu goes up when they don’t have good winter clothes. The dry winter air promotes the spread of sickness, especially in little ones whose immune systems are still yet underdeveloped. Cold weather can make your nose less efficient at filtering germs in the air, and when the temperature in your nose drops, bad bacteria can enter your body. Even worse, the lack of warm clothes can even slow down the responses in your immune system. Obviously nobody likes being sick, but if the timing is bad, it can cause more problems than just a sore throat. Sickness can act as a barrier against going to school, work, spending time with family and doing the things you need and love to do. With countless reasons to be properly dressed in winter, it is crucial to help those in need. 

Imagine the difference you can make simply by donating a pair of socks you don’t usually gravitate towards, or the warm hat that has been sitting in the back of your closet. These items could not only help prevent the spread of infectious bacteria, but could also help a person in need stay warm, be productive in their community and allow them to show up for work, school and all other areas of their lives.

Operation Warm is specifically asking for donations from Oct. 8-31, so make sure you go through all of your winter clothing soon! This is your chance to make a difference. Take a peek at your clothes that you might have outgrown, had for a really long time or just aren’t your style anymore that could possibly be donated. You can find the Operation Warm boxes in the Education Suite, Christensen Center, the Admissions Office, Foss Center, Oren Gateway Center and Si Melby Hall. This clothing drive is Sponsored by the Education Department & Thrive. 

Look for a large brown box with the words Operation Warm on them to make a difference in the local Ecuadorian community.