School No. 2 Students Gifted New Coats by Liberty Subaru, Operation Warm

Paterson, NJ (January 16, 2026) – Nearly 500 students at Paterson’s School No. 2 are prepared for winter after receiving brand-new coats, courtesy of Liberty Subaru and Operation Warm. The coats were distributed during a special gifting event hosted by School No. 2 on January 15. Students in kindergarten through 4th grade, as well as students from 16 special education classes, received coats distributed by representatives from Liberty Subaru.

“Something as simple as a coat can make a real difference in a child's day,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Laurie W. Newell. “We are grateful to Liberty Subaru and Operation Warm for their partnership and for helping ensure our students can come to school comfortable and ready to learn.”

School No. 2 Principal Dr. Vanessa Serrano and Full-Service Community Schools Site Coordinator Emely Rodriguez helped orchestrate the event, working closely with Liberty Subaru and Operation Warm to provide the coats for School No. 2’s young learners. School No. 2 staff members, Ms. Kathleen Weissman and Ms. Laura Celso Albornoz, assisted the students during the event by helping them select their coats.

“We were thrilled and grateful to host this impactful event at School No. 2,” said Dr. Serrano. “Thanks to the generosity of Liberty Subaru and Operation Warm, our students are receiving an essential item that will keep them warm, cared for, and ready to learn. It’s heartwarming to see our community come together to support and take care of our children.”

Operation Warm is a national non-profit that manufactures brand-new, high-quality coats, shoes, and socks for children in need. Just as their tagline states “More than a coat®,” Operation Warm focuses on the whole child, providing warmth, confidence, and hope through basic-need programs that connect under-resourced children to the community resources they need to thrive. In their 25 years of service, they have helped over 6 million children across more than 4,000 communities.

“This event was a great opportunity for Liberty Subaru to give back to the community and the students at School No. 2,” said Liberty Subaru Owner Rick DeSilva Jr. “Having warm coats is a basic need. It’s exciting to see the students’ faces when they receive a new jacket that’s going to keep them warm all winter. We were honored to take part in this event.”

Subaru is the largest automotive supporter of Operation Warm. By partnering with Operation Warm, Subaru and its retailers have given these critical items to over 290,000 children in urgent need so far.