By JAMES CRAVEN
Herald Press Staff

NEW BRITAIN — For Ana and Pedro Chimborazo, New Britain in November is a long way from the tropical climate of their native Ecuador, but for a few moments Friday, the kindness of unknown friends left tropical warmth in place of autumn winds.

Pedro, who works in the construction trade, has become  — like many others — a victim of an economic crisis that is reaching from the towers of Wall Street into the pockets and homes of thousands of working people.

“It’s hard now,” he says, struggling for the right words in a new language. “Not much work for lots of people.”

The couple, despite their tough economic condition, retain the proud features and countenance of their Andean ancestors as they enter the Wal-Mart on Farmington Avenue.

Faced with lost wages, an uncertain future and keeping their 4-year-old twins, Bryan and Michelle, housed and warm as winter approaches, the Chimborazo’s have come to the store to meet with a representative of Warm the Children.

Now in its 20th year, Warm the Children has provided winter clothing to thousands of children without cost, and without any donated funds spent on administration, publicity or salaries.

Mark Bernacki, who is the organization’s coordinator in the city, says all the money donated goes to help others.

“Anything we collect, we give away,” Bernacki says.

Headquartered in Middletown, and the idea of former newspaper editor Mack Stewart, the organization, through private donations, allows the family to spend up to $50 for each child on clothing. The clothing can be of any type, but it must be the size of the child for whom it is intended.

As Ana and Pedro made their way into Wal-Mart, they were greeted by Greta Corsino, a retiree who volunteers as a shopper with Warm the Children. Corsino is quick to greet the couple and explain how the process works.

As a shopper for Warm the Children, Corsino, along with dozens of others, helps families in picking out clothes and keeping the budget at $50.

“I’ve been doing this for several years and it’s something that I would never give up,” Corsino says. “I just love doing this.”

Working with another family, Isabele Torres of Human Resource Agency of New Britain totals the price tags for Tanya Crosy, a single-mother of two young girls. With the holidays on the horizon and a disability keeping her from working, Crosy says it was time to ask for assistance.

“It’s not easy to ask for help, but when it comes to making sure your children are warm, you swallow your pride,” she says, holding up a puffy green coat for her 9-year-old. “My Caitlyn will love this.”

Crosy, who wants nothing for herself, will give some of the clothing, a mixture of green coats, pink shoes, blue gloves and shirts to her daughters right away, but some of it will stay hidden in the top of a closet until Dec. 25.

“I want them to have a few special things under the tree,” she says.

Torres, who visits schools in the area, is able to find out what families might need by speaking with the people who know the children best — teachers.

“We all work together,” Torres said. “This is the time to help people, and it gives you a good feeling when you see people happy.

Corsino, Torres and a third shopper, Frank Bradley, met with about 10 families and helped in the purchase of hundreds of dollars in warm clothing.

Bradley, who has been involved with the organization for four years, says he was lucky in his life and always made a good living, but that now he feels even luckier.

“I started out as a donor, and still do that, but I enjoy watching the families go through the clothes,” he says, as he stopped to help two sisters pick out clothing for their children. “It makes you feel good, you know, really good.”

For Ana and Pedro, the selection allows them to pick multiple outfits for the twins; a pink coat and gloves for Michelle and a blue jacket for Bryan.

“Muy bueno,” Ana says to her husband, who responds back that the coats are a very good choice. He helps as she folds the clothing and places it carefully in a shopping cart.

The Warm the Children organizations in New Britain and Middletown hope to raise $80,000 to help keep nearly 2,000 children warm through the winter. If you would like to help, please contact Warm the Children through its Web site at warmthechildren.org.

James Craven can be reached at jcraven@newbritainherald.com or by calling (860) 225-4601, ext. 231.