Firefighters in St. Paul and Minneapolis have raised money to buy new coats for low-income children in the Twin Cities.
The Operation Warm program — which is conducted by firefighters around the country — purchases new, American-made coats, which are personalized and given to children.
Organizers say the children select their favorite color and size; a tag inside their coat has their name and says, “Made Just for You.”
Last year, Minneapolis firefighters raised money to buy 500 coats. This year, they doubled their effort and bought 1,000 coats. St. Paul firefighters jumped on board this year, coming up with nearly 500 coats.
The coats are being delivered today: with help from Centerpoint Energy and Fulton Brewery, the Minneapolis firefighters brought the coats to Anderson United Community School. In St. Paul, where firefighters had a fundraiser at Flat Earth Brewery, the coats are being taken to Dayton’s Bluff Achievement Plus Elementary.
Justin Johnson, a Minneapolis firefighter, said in a statement:
“As firefighters, we go into homes and witness the living conditions faced by low-income kids. This is a program that strengthens communities and the overall well-being of children.”
