Reliable Subaru, in collaboration with United Way of the Ozarks and Operation Warm, has provided 504 new pairs of shoes to children at Westport K-8 School. In a fun event, the shoes were delivered to Springfield Public Schools students on January 16 by representatives from Subaru and United Way of the Ozarks. Together, the organizations were able to “share the love” with community youth through the Subaru Loves to Help® initiative. Westport students in kindergarten through fifth grade – 315 children – received a brand-new pair of shoes and two pairs of socks during the event. The school received an additional 189 pairs of shoes, each with two pairs of socks, to meet the needs of its students through eighth grade.
Giving partnership returns

The UWO team, partners and board members joined SPS staff and Reliable Subaru to make the day a success. L to R: Janet Dankert, Amy Jardell, Stephanie Rutledge, Brandi VanAntwerp, Adrienne Deckard, Gail Smart, Clif Smart
This is the second year that United Way of the Ozarks and Reliable Subaru have mobilized to help local children stay warm and healthy. In 2024, 480 children received new winter coats donated by Subaru and distributed by eight nonprofit organizations that partner with United Way of the Ozarks. The continued collaboration aligns with United Way of the Ozarks’ commitment to champion children across the Ozarks region. This year, the two organizations were joined by United Way board members and volunteers who greeted the children, fitted shoes and filled the day with smiles.
“It’s so meaningful to connect local business people, to help them answer our neighbors’ needs. Especially when those neighbors are our community’s children and families,” said Janelle Mitchell, United Way of the Ozarks’ director of resource development. “New shoes are a joy for a child and make their day safe, comfortable and fun. To have a pair of shoes that fit can be the difference between going to school or not, between participating in activities or sitting out.”
Connecting resources with community needs
Operation Warm is a national nonprofit that manufactures brand-new, high-quality coats and shoes for children in need. Subaru is the largest automotive supporter of Operation Warm. This initiative is part of the Subaru Love Promise, Subaru’s commitment to improving lives in the community where they live and work. Subaru and its retailers partner with nonprofit agencies across the country annually to provide more than 130,000 children with brand-new necessities like coats, shoes and socks.
“We are excited to build on last year’s success and bring even more comfort and care to our community’s children through United Way of the Ozarks,” said Coral VanBecelaere, Reliable Subaru’s director of marketing. “We’re committed to making life better in the Ozarks.”