As I sit in my office today reflecting on the past few months, my heart is overflowing with a specific kind of gratitude—the kind that comes from seeing the Body of Christ move in unison to meet a desperate need. I wanted to share with you the incredible impact of our recent Winter Coat appeal and how your continued partnership with Another Child is changing lives.
First and foremost, I want to say thank you to everyone who responded. But more than thanking you for financial contributions, I want to thank you for your obedience. I truly believe that when we put a need before our supporters, it is God who does the heavy lifting by stirring the hearts of His people. Those who listened to that quiet nudge and responded—that obedience is the absolute key to why this ministry is able to reach the “least of these”.
I am so encouraged to report that 462 children across our programs now have high-quality, warm winter coats on their backs.
When we started this appeal, our shelves were nearly bare. We were looking at a long, harsh winter with dozens of children arriving at our Point of Hope centers with blue lips and trembling hands. Because faithful supporters stepped forward, that narrative has completely changed. Today, our closets are no longer empty, and the walk to school is no longer a trial of endurance for these little ones.
Andrei’s Transformation
I want to share a specific story so you can see exactly what this support accomplished. Andrei is a bright eight-year-old who loves his math lessons, but for a long time, his focus was stolen by the cold. He was wearing an old jacket from his older brother that was far too large and had a zipper that had long since failed.
Last week, our team had the privilege of handing Andrei a brand-new, thick winter coat that fit him perfectly. The transformation was immediate. He didn’t just look warmer; he looked taller. He looked like a child who knew he was seen and valued.
When he finally zipped it up all the way to his chin, he looked up at our staff with a huge grin and said:
“I feel like a superhero in this coat! The wind keeps trying to find me, but it can’t get inside anymore. I’m not shaking anymore, and I can finally walk to school without having to hold my breath”.
It is moments like these that remind us why we do what we do.
A Holy Moment
But it isn’t just the children who are moved; our volunteers and staff on the ground are deeply impacted by the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. One of our long-time volunteers, Maria, who helped distribute the coats, shared this with me:
“There is a holy weight to the moment you slide a warm coat onto a cold child. You can feel the tension leave their shoulders as the warmth settles in. It’s more than just fabric and insulation; it’s a tangible hug from God. Being the one to provide that comfort is the greatest blessing I’ve experienced this year”.
The Power of Partnership
These gifts provided that “tangible hug” Maria described. They gave children the dignity of a new garment, the safety of physical warmth, and the spiritual reminder that they are not forgotten by their Creator.
As we move forward into the rest of this year, please know that whether you were able to participate in this specific appeal or you support our work in other ways, you are a vital part of this mission. We are honored to steward the generosity of our supporters as we continue to provide protection, education, and the hope of the Gospel to those who need it most.
Thank you for being the answer to a child’s prayer.
With deep gratitude and blessings,
Tim Oloffson
Executive Director and Founder
Another Child Foundation
