Warmth in the Heart of Winter: Jesse White Foundation and Korean American Friendship Network Distributes 500 Coats, Bringing Hope to Chicago's Neediest Amid Brutal Cold

Coats of Compassion: Jesse White and Korean American Allies Defy Chicago's Deep Freeze with 500 Acts of Kindness

Kindness in Layers: Former Secretary White, Ann Jhin, and Partners Shield the Vulnerable from Chicago's Cruelest Winter

Beyond the Chill: How a Simple Coat Became a Symbol of Unity, Gratitude, and Enduring Friendship

Chicago, IL: In the grip of one of Chicago's most unforgiving winters in recent memory days of sub-freezing temperatures, biting winds, and relentless snow acts of kindness become lifelines. On Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Jesse White Community Center and Field House on 412 W. Chicago Ave., former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, the legendary figure who served longer than anyone in that office, once again proved why his name is synonymous with compassion and community.

Joined by 27th Ward Alderman Walter “Red” Burnett (now often referred to in community circles as Vice Mayor Burnett), Jesse White oversaw the distribution of nearly 500 high-quality winter jackets to individuals facing the harsh elements without adequate protection. These weren't just any coats; they were warm, durable pieces donated generously by Ann Jhin of the Korean-American Friendship Network and her company, Jinny Corporation—a leader in beauty supply distribution that has long extended its reach into philanthropy.

The event carried the unmistakable spirit of Jesse White: humble, heartfelt, and deeply rooted in the belief that true success means giving back. As White himself often says, drawing from words imparted by a mentor echoing Abraham Lincoln's ethos, “Do something good for someone every day.” This philosophy has guided his life and the work of the Jesse White Foundation, which runs programs for youth education, gymnastics, and civic engagement at the very community center that hosted the giveaway.

The day began with remarks that captured both gratitude and urgency. White, ever the gracious host, took the microphone multiple times to express profound thanks to Ann Jhin  “Thank you for giving. Thank you for caring and thank you for making a difference in the lives of those in need,” he repeated, his voice steady and sincere. He highlighted the long-standing partnership with the Korean American community, noting, “It's a known fact that when we work together, wonderful things happen and some wonderful things are happening today.”

Ann Jhin, CEO of Jinny Corporation and president of the Korean-American Friendship Network, stepped forward with poise and humility. A distinguished community leader with decades of service in civic, cultural, and international affairs including roles advising on Korean unification and bilateral relations—she spoke of the event's deeper purpose. “Our organization prepared these winter coats with a sincere dedication to reach out and help our members of the community who are in need,” she said. “We have had numerous winter coat drive events and programs promoting collaboration and friendship with several other communities in the Chicagoland area and the Midwest. We do this every year because we know sharing is loving.”

Her words resonate in a room filled with volunteers, elected officials, and recipients braving the cold to attend. The Korean-American Friendship Network has made such drives an annual tradition, fostering cross-cultural bonds while addressing immediate human needs. Jhin's organization, through Jinny Corporation's resources and her personal commitment, has earned widespread recognition—from proclamations by Chicago and Los Angeles city councils to honors from the U.S. Congress members and even the President of the United States—for her servant leadership and philanthropy.

Alderman Walter “Red” Burnett, a longtime ally of White's initiatives, brought practical perspective to the gathering. He praised the enduring collaboration: “You may coincidentally see people in our ward with these coats on because they have been passing out these coats with us for many years.” With the weather turning particularly brutal, freezing temperatures below 32°F for over a week and forecasts promising more, he outlined a thoughtful plan to extend the impact. Rather than requiring vulnerable residents to venture out, volunteers from the 27th Ward Regular Democratic Organization would deliver coats door-to-door to senior buildings and directly to shelters.

Burnett listed key partners receiving deliveries: Breakthrough Ministry for the homeless, The Boulevard (a post-hospitalization refuge), Haymarket House, Night Ministry (a youth homeless shelter), Lincoln Park Shelter, and others. “In times like this when the weather is really bad, we deliver coats,” he emphasized, underscoring the event's focus on those least able to seek help themselves.

State Representative Jawahario Omar Williams echoed the sentiment of gratitude and continuity. “We really appreciate you all. We're really grateful for you all and we want to keep the friendship going,” he told the Korean-American Friendship Network. He shared a personal touch: “I still have mine from two years ago. That's how long we've been partnering with Miss Jen.” Describing the coats as “very warm... down coats that last a long time,” he highlighted their reliability in Chicago's punishing winters.

The atmosphere at the Jesse White Community Center buzzed with warmth far beyond the heaters. Volunteers bustled about, sizing jackets extra large, medium, large—handing them out with smiles and small talk. “God bless you,” one recipient said. Coffee and donuts waited upstairs for helpers, a simple gesture of appreciation. Photo ops captured the spirit: group shots with White at the center, symbolic handovers of coats, and candid moments of joy as people received what could mean the difference between enduring the cold and suffering through it.

White reflected on the season's giving: In November, the foundation distributed hams and turkeys; now, in the depths of winter, jackets. The Jesse White Community Center, home to the famous Jesse White Tumblers gymnastics program, continues to be a beacon where young people learn to be “better educated, better informed, and to improve their gymnastic skills”—and, just as importantly, to become good citizens who give back.

As the event wrapped, White closed with his timeless mantra: “When you come to this world, if you become successful, you give back. But every day, you must do something good for someone.” In a city where winter can feel relentless and isolating, this distribution reminded everyone that community, cross-cultural partnership, and simple human kindness can turn the harshest days into bearable ones.

These coats aren't merely fabric and insulation are symbols of hope, wrapped in gratitude from leaders who refuse to let anyone face the cold alone. In an era when division often dominates headlines, events like this jacket distribution shine as powerful reminders of what unites us. Jesse White's unwavering commitment to service, paired with Ann Jhin's generous spirit and the Korean American Friendship Network's dedication to cross-community outreach, exemplifies the beauty of multicultural collaboration in addressing real human needs.

Asian Media USA proudly celebrates such stories of compassion that transcend backgrounds and bring warmth both literal and figurative to our shared cities. May these acts inspire more of us to do something good, every single day.