Heartwarming! 2,600 Central Unified Students Receive Winter Clothing

There were hundreds — if not thousands — of smiles and high-fives Thursday at Central Unified’s Roosevelt Elementary School.

The warm feelings and expressions of thanks flowed while every student was receiving a spirit fleece jacket with the school’s name and mascot emblazoned on it.

The Roosevelt Roadrunners logo (GV Wire/Jahz Tello

The distribution was the kickoff to the 19th annual Warm for Winter event hosted by the Foundation for Central Schools.

In all, more than 2,600 students will receive school winter clothing, sweaters, and jackets thanks to the generosity of the foundation and community partners such as Granville Homes.

Granville Homes CEO and President Darius Assemi, who is the publisher of GV Wire, has a 19-year dedication to this project. He has helped increase the outerwear distribution each year, Central Unified officials said.

In addition, the Assistance League of Fresno’s “Operation School Bell” will support 500 spirit sweaters, 200 $100 Burlington shopping sprees for students, and the restocking of three clothing closets.

And, the Kaiser Permanente Benefits Program supports the growth of the Central Schools Wellbeing Project and the installation of clothing closets at Teague Elementary School and the Central Learning Adult School Site.

It’s high-fives all around during the 19th annual Warm for Winter Event at Roosevelt Elementary. Thursday, October 19, 2023 (GV Wire/Jahz Tello)

Students, families, teachers, and staff gather for the 19th annual Warm for Winter event at Roosevelt Elementary School, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2003. (GV Wire/Jahz Tello)