The tradition of Winterization began as a community service initiative sponsored by a high school in Greenwood, Indiana. In the fall of 2002, Lauren, a freshman at Purdue University and an active member of the Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry, introduced the idea to the West Lafayette community. Inspired by her previous experience, Lauren rallied her new peers to launch the first Winterization project at Purdue, where thirty volunteers served ten local homes.

​

Since then, Winterization has grown significantly, reaching several key milestones:

• 2005 — 100 volunteers participated

• 2008 — 100 homes served

• 2013 — 1,000 volunteers reached

• 2017 — Our rake collection surpassed 1,000

• 2019 — 380 homes served by 1,350 volunteers

• 2021 — Our largest effort to date, with 1,600 volunteers

• 2023 — A continued success: Over 1,400 volunteers served more than 350 residents

 

Over the past two decades, Winterization has evolved into a collaborative effort, with various student organizations joining forces with the Wesley Foundation. Past co-sponsors have included the Baptist Foundation and Launch Campus Ministry. Students participate as individuals, in groups of friends, or through their campus organizations—united by a shared commitment to serving the community.