ELMIRA, NY (WENY) -- Thanks to the generosity of the community, elementary school students in the Elmira City School District will have a warm coat this winter. Operation Winter Coat marked its fourth year of giving Tuesday, delivering coats across the district to be given to kids who need one.

"When we see them so excited with a brand new coat on, it just makes their day, because they're excited to get it, they stay warm outside, it just makes us happy to be able to help," said Beecher Elementary Principal, Kelley Bacalles. 

Tuesday, 104 new winter coats were donated for students who need them in the Elmira City School District, under Operation Winter Coat. The initiative is in its fourth year, and is a partnership between Williams Honda and WENY-TV. 

 "We heard that a lot of the teachers were dipping into their own pockets to provide jackets and other things for the students here, so we said we just can't let that happen, and we've got to do something and step up," said Dalton Williams, Vice President of Williams Auto Group. "We are proud to do things like this, and take a moment out of our day and see what's going on here, and hear from our teachers in our community that are raising our youth, this is really something special." 

Williams said giving back to the community is one of the company's core values, and Operation Winter Coat is just one way to do that. Community members could drop off a new winter coat at the Williams Honda showroom in Big Flats, or donate money that was used to purchase coats. 

This year, the donated coats were delivered across Elmira, for students attending Fassett, Beecher, Riverside and Parley Coburn elementary schools. The coats help ensure that families don't have to worry about the burden of the expense of a new coat for their child, especially this time of year.

"We're just thankful for such a thoughtful gift, because it's something like I said, the kids get excited about it, but when the donation comes in that's specific to our student needs, what sizes they are, what their preferences are, it really is like a personalized gift for our students," Bacalles said. Administrators with the district explained when the children have their needs met, like being having a coat to keep them warm on the way to school and on recess, makes them more prepared and supported to learn in the classroom.

To date, more than 500 coats have been donated to children through Operation Winter Coat in the Elmira City School District. This year's donations targeted the district's "sister schools" - helping students who are siblings but attend different buildings, but each may be in need of a coat.