Fashion Show at Winterthur Museum & Country Estate

Winterthur drive will help children in need

Ornament sales benefit "Operation Warm"

Winterthur Museum & Country Estate is encouraging its visitors to help provide new coats for children in need.

The museum offers $5 ornaments to decorate a special "Operation Warm" tree, with proceeds going to the Kennett Square, Pa.,-based group that distributes coats through social service organizations throughout the region.

Winterthur's ornament drive is among the latest charity-support effort in The News Journal's Help Us Help listings, a public service that helps match Delawareans' holiday generosity with projects to help those in need.

Operation Warm coats will be featured in a fashion show presented by Hartstrings, a line of children's clothing, set for 1 p.m. today in the Galleries at Winterthur.

"We are delighted to highlight the Operation Warm coats in our fashion show," said Carol Beck, Hartstrings' vice president of retail and merchandising, "and hope that by doing so we can bring attention to the great work they do for our community."

Officials of Winterthur, on Kennett Pike north of Wilmington, said the coat donation drive is part of the facility's on-going community outreach.

"Our Yuletide program this year is focused on celebrating children," said Jeff Groff, director of public programs.

"So it was only natural for us to think about how we could support programs that assist children," Groff said. "Operation Warm does such an incredible job of helping to protect children even as they inspire self confidence. We are proud to partner with them in highlighting their efforts and encouraging our visitors and our staff to give generously in support of needy children."

Since its start in 1998, Operation Warm has distributed more than 375,000 coats nationwide, including more than 90,000 in the Brandywine Valley.

Winterthur's holiday display runs through Jan. 6. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

Admission to the Yuletide tour is $20 for adults; $18 for students and seniors, and $10 for ages 2-11. Admission includes two special shows, K is for Kids, an alphabetical exploration of the Winterthur collection and children's literacy issues, and Pets in America: The Story of Our Lives with Animals at Home.