Central PA Operation Warm Hearts is a nonprofit organization founded in 2015 by Emily Gochenaur while she was attending college. Emily utilized her personal hobby of knitting hats and scarves, and began donating them to a local nonprofit which services populations of need in Dauphin County. She soon had her friends joining her in her dorm room for knitting sessions. Her family nicknamed her knitting donations “Operation Warm Hearts.”

She organized a knit-a-thon and was able to provide the Dauphin county facility with over 100 knitted items. That next year was full of gaining support from groups of volunteers who knit or crochet for her.

Emily graduated college in August 2016, and was able to provide 283 items. She split her donation between the Dauphin county facility, and one in Cumberland county, and she also added “no sew” fleece blankets to her items for donation.

During 2016, momentum steadily increased. Community events enable Emily to share her mission and vision. Girl Scout troops, church shawl ministries, senior living communities, and school clubs and organizations have all made it possible for Emily to meet and surpass her goals. By March 2017, the goal that was intended for October 2017 has already been achieved! This has allowed Central PA Operation Warm Hearts to expand to include a third facility in York county, add a new project of plastic sleeping mats, and also be in a position to plan for a mid-winter additional delivery to each agency where additional items can be provided when they are most needed.

As Operation Warm Hearts grows, the goal is to have specific items donated at specific times of the year to coincide with when the items are most beneficial to those in need. The goal is to be able to eventually provide items on a monthly basis.

There are also plans for other programs in addition to knitted items, blankets and mats. The true vision and mission of Central PA Operation Warm Hearts is to spread the warmth of spirit in addition to items made to keep a person warm. We believe that everyone should feel like somebody cares for them...and we aim to be that somebody! Our future programs will help us share that vision with the community.

2023 Anniversary Celebration and Silent Auction Fundraiser

Team Members