FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2025
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE, Office of Public Affairs

FORT HALL, Idaho – For the fourth year, more than 300 new winter coats were distributed to local children this week thanks to a partnership between Operation Warmth and Marathon Pipeline LLC, who teamed up to support students from Fort Hall Elementary, Chief Tahgee Elementary Academy, and the Shoshone-Bannock Early Childhood Program.

The coat distribution took place on November 6 at Fort Hall Elementary and provided children with an opportunity to personally select their new coats, which was an experience organizers described as both joyful and meaningful to all.

“Operation Warmth sponsors events like this all over the country,” said Michael Andrews, Senior Partnership Director for Operation Warmth. “We do a lot on tribal lands, but also work with community-based organizations, Boys and Girls Clubs, Head Start programs, and Title I elementary schools.”
Andrews noted that Marathon Pipe Line LLC, a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum, has contributed nearly one million dollars to Operation Warmth to help bring comfort and warmth to children and families nationwide.

VJ Smith, Tribal Affairs Liaison for Marathon Petroleum, said their organization works with Operation Warmth because they offer so many different coats in styles and colors.

Smith explained they work with 23 tribal nations across the U.S. and emphasized Marathon Petroleum’s commitment to investing in the communities where the company operates.

“We have a belief that we should invest in communities just for the sake of doing it, not for any other reason,” he said. “We provide grants in Indian Country for workforce development, sustainability, environmental conservation, and what we call ‘thriving communities ‘events like this that simply help people.”

Earlier in the day, Smith and members of the Marathon Petroleum team also participated in a Cultural Awareness Training hosted by the Fort Hall Business Council and Language & Culture Preservation Department.

“If we’re going to be partners in the communities where we operate on tribal lands, we need to ensure our employees understand each tribe, their priorities, and how to work respectfully with them,” Smith said. “That’s a vital part of our partnership, and it’s awesome to be able to do that.”

Fort Hall Business Council Chairwoman Donna Thompson and Councilmember Russell Haskett showed up to support the effort. Thompson thanked Operation Warmth and Marathon Petroleum for their continued commitment to the Fort Hall community.

“We appreciate Operation Warmth and Marathon Petroleum for showing up for our community and for all the years they’ve helped bring coats to our students,” Thompson said. “Our kids appreciate it.”
The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes extend their gratitude to all who helped make the event possible and for the ongoing partnership that continues to support local families and youth.