Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Healthy Blue Louisiana Volunteers Hand Out New Coats at North Louisiana Schools This Week
Operation Warm events support children from low-income families

SHREVEPORT, La. – Volunteers from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and Healthy Blue Louisiana will give new coats to more than 1,000 children at Shreveport, Bossier City and Winnsboro schools this week. The health plans are sponsoring these events through Operation Warm, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing warmth, confidence and hope for children in need. 

 “It may be hard to imagine winter weather after our unusually hot summer. But colder temperatures are coming soon, and children will need coats. For many families, buying new winter gear is a financial hardship. That’s why Blue Cross and Healthy Blue have proudly partnered with Operation Warm for several years to host events at local schools. Our volunteers love to watch the students’ faces light up as they pick out their new coats,” said Michael Tipton, president of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation and head of Community Relations. “Serving our community is an important way we fulfill our mission to improve the health and lives of Louisianians.” 

Media are invited to attend the Operation Warm events at the times listed below to take photos and video. Representatives from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Healthy Blue and the schools will be available for interviews. Media must comply with all school safety guidelines on whether and how children can be included in event footage. 

Operation Warm Events: 

SHREVEPORT – Tuesday, Sept. 26 
9 – 10 a.m. 
Midway Professional Development Elementary
3840 Greenwood Road

BOSSIER CITY – Wednesday, Sept. 27 
11 a.m. – noon
Waller Elementary School 
1130 Patricia Dr.

WINNSBORO – Thursday, Sept. 28 
9 – 10 a.m. 
Winnsboro Elementary School 
1310 Warren St. 

Follow Blue Cross on social media @BCBSLA to see photo and videos from the Operation Warm events. Blue Cross posts regularly on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok. Visit the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana YouTube channel to see short videos on health and wellness topics. Subscribe to know when new videos are added.

About Operation Warm:
Operation Warm is a national nonprofit that manufactures brand-new, high-quality coats for children in need. We partner with compassionate individuals, community organizations, and corporations across North America to provide emotional warmth, confidence to socialize and succeed, and hope of a brighter future through the gift of a brand-new coat.  Over the last 20 years, Operation Warm and our partners have used the coat as a bridge for families in need to access everything from flu shots to new books. To make a lasting impact on the lives of children, visit www.operationwarm.org.