Jan. 16, 2026 – Students at George Washington Carver and S.P. Livingston elementary schools are walking into the winter season with new, warm coats. It's all thanks to the generosity of two district partners –– THE PLAYERS Championship and the JAX Chamber of Commerce.
“I’m so grateful. I cannot express my thanks loud enough,” said S.P. Livingston Principal Barbara Sims. “We feel really special that our kids are seen.”
The idea for the coat distribution originated at a recent meeting of the JAX Chamber of Commerce. THE PLAYERS Championship Executive Director Lee Smith, who was in attendance, learned that students at the two schools were in need, and immediately sprang into action.
“We thought, this is something we need to jump in and support,” said Emily Bellock, Senior Director of Community Outreach of THE PLAYERS Championship. “We worked with one of our nonprofit partners, Operation Warm, to quickly mobilize just about 300 jackets to deliver to the two schools.”
School leaders said the timing of the donation was perfect. Just days before a weather forecast with temperatures in the 20s and 30s, students at both schools received the special delivery.
“It just brings us so much joy to see these kids outfitted in warm jackets,” said Bellock. “They had the ability to choose which ones they liked, the size, and the color.”
At George Washington Carver Elementary, leaders turned the donation into a red-carpet experience where students proudly showed off their new coats and posed with large, cutout photo frames. At S.P. Livingston, students tried on jackets on the school stage before taking photos and holding up large thank-you signs.
District leaders said the gifts will go a long way in not only keeping students warm but also supporting the needs of their families.
“It's a blessing, because a lot of times, parents drop kids off early and they're under-dressed for the weather,” said Principal Sims. “My heart is dancing.”