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| The History Of Operation Noel |
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In 1939, Ruth Pooley, the wife of the
Herald Post Editor, saw that a local jeans manufacturer had a “Little Boys”
fund that provided new jeans for disadvantaged boys. She decided girls needed
to be helped as well, so she began “The Little Girls Dress Fund,” asking
readers to bring in new dresses or send in donations.
When enough money was raised, she would buy new dresses for these little girls
at the Popular Dry Goods Company. This practice continued until the early
1980's, when a Herald Post Reporter took over the project.
The name was changed to Operation Noel and included both boys and girls. The
focus was changed to sweat suits and jeans. By that time, several agencies were
involved and more than 3,000 children were helped.
The idea behind Operation Noel changed again when organizers learned that these
children did not have coats to wear in the winter because their families
couldn’t afford them. The organizers contracted a local apparel company in El
Paso, who in turn contracted a supplier to produce coats specifically for the
children of Operation Noel.
More than 65 area agencies and schools select the children who are most in need
of coats. These lists of children are compiled from September through November
by caseworkers and school counselors who in turn provide the lists to Operation
Noel.
Each year, money raised through the efforts of The El Paso Times, a 'mini' telethon
on KVIA and JDW Insurance from individual, corporate, and organizational donations, as
well as the Operation Noel Telethon, goes towards paying for the ENTIRE COST
of the coats WITHOUT ANY ADMINISTRATIVE OVERHEAD. This year, our goal for the 2009 campaign is
to furnish 13,000 coats for the children of El Paso.
Donations for Operation Noel are accepted year-round and can be mailed to:
For more information, contact Valerie Arámbula, Operation Noel Coordinator, 915-496-8518.
Donations can be mailed to: Operation Noel, P.O. Box 981021, El Paso, TX
79998-1021. Please direct all phone calls to (915) 496-8518.
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| Rev. 05/30/2007
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