On Wednesday, November 30, 2022, volunteers from the International WeLoveU Foundation delivered 150 new coats, along with winter accessories, such as hats, gloves, scarves, and earmuffs, to every student at the Michelle Obama Elementary School in Newark, New Jersey.

Michelle Obama Elementary School

The Michelle Obama Elementary School, named after the former first lady, opened in 2021. The school services prekindergarten to third-grade students and will grow one grade every year until it reaches the eighth grade. The school’s theme is “Community, Leadership, and Wellness.” The students are immersed in English, Language Arts, Mathematics, Social-Emotional Awareness, and Science. Since the school strives to root itself in public service like Michelle Obama, they participate in giving back to the community, although a majority of students are in need themselves. Principal LaShonda Gilliam said, “The winter coat drive serves as a model of an act of kindness that children need to see, learn from, and experience. Giving back to the community is a core value of Michelle Obama Elementary School, so this meant a lot for the children to see that everything you pour into others, people will pour right back into you.”

The International WeLoveU Foundation hosted the donation ceremony in the school’s gymnasium in the morning. Every student received a coat and winter gear without leaving a student behind. Calling students’ names one by one at the forefront of the winter gear was WeLoveU’s Board Member Alex Post. Next to him was Newark Board of Education Deputy Superintendent Nicole T. Johnson and Co-Vice President Flohisha Johnson, Principal LaShonda Gilliam, Airtech Group, Inc. COO Ralph Sagher, and about 20 WeLoveU volunteers.

Partners Unite to Achieve Beautiful Results

The initiative aimed to deliver coats and clothing to children and families living in poverty or experiencing homelessness. Leading up to the event, donation boxes were placed at various businesses throughout New York and New Jersey. Several companies contributed to the event; among them was Airtech Group, Inc., which supported almost half of the total donations of coats. Other donors were HDR, Inc., Ned Stevens, El Sol Contracting & Construction Corp., Sax, LLP, GenServe LLC, Integrated Specialty ASC, and Stevens Institute of Technology.

“We really appreciate you partnering with us,” said Nicole T. Johnson, deputy superintendent of the Newark Board of Education. “We need you, and you’ve really been dedicated to our district in so many ways, so I wanted to, on behalf of the superintendent, make sure I represented executive leadership here today.”       

The COO of Airtech Group, Inc., Ralph Sagher, stated, “It’s so heartwarming to show up here and actually put the jackets on children and see their smiling faces. When they go outside, they know they are going to be warm. It’s one of the true honors of my life right now.” 

“This year’s coat drive is needed now more than ever,” expressed Carly Adames, a volunteer coordinator of WeLoveU’s education program. “Countless families are feeling the economic burdens caused by the rapid rise in inflation. WeLoveU hopes to alleviate that burden even a little bit and is committed to keeping children warm this winter.”  

A Purpose Supported by Numbers

The National Center for Homeless Education reported 1.5 million students in public school districts experience homelessness each year. With winter approaching, children are more susceptible to developing hypothermia or infections like pneumonia. The winter season can also be expensive for families, and the economic crisis has exacerbated people’s budgets. In response to challenging times, the coat donation hopes to provide students with an equal opportunity to receive resources for a warmer winter. The efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #1, No Poverty, and Goal #3, Good Health and Well-being.

According to census.gov, an estimated 70,955 of 269,885 people live in poverty. In New Jersey, 10.2% of 9,093,135 people live in poverty. However, the poverty rate in Newark, New Jersey, where Michelle Obama Elementary School is located, is 157.84% higher than the state’s average.

WeLoveU Board Member Alex Post mentioned, “WeLoveU believes the students are the future, the leaders and innovators who will take charge of the future. That’s why we want to support the children so they can feel the warmth of a mother’s love and know how much people really do care about the students and their future.” WeLoveU looks forward to partnering with Michelle Obama Elementary School again and the City of Newark in years to come.

Other coat donations took place in New Windsor, New York, Harlem, New York, and Washington, D.C. Another donation event will also take place in Chicago, IL.