Firefighters Reach Over 1400 Needy Children across Nashville with New Winter Coats

Dec. 14, 2012 - PRLog -- Nashville, TN – On Tuesday December 18th, Nashville Firefighters will provide over 1,400 school children with brand-new winter coats through their partnership with The Firefighters Coats for Kids Foundation, a division of national non-profit, Operation Warm. “Over 41,000 children in Nashville are living in poverty and may not be able to afford a winter coat,” stated Mark Young, IAFF Local 140 Union President. “This is an emergency, just without the 911 call.”

Operation Warm is the largest non-profit distributor of new winter coats in the U.S. and has recently garnered the support of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) who encourages their members to participate with the Firefighters Coats for Kids Foundation. “Community outreach is at the core of our job as firefighters and the need in our community is huge,” stated Dave Brasells, Local 140. “We hope corporate support will help us grow this effort until we can reach each child in Nashville who may benefit.”

FedEx, a big supporter of Operation Warm and its partners, has donated all transportation services and will be making deliveries to Tusculum and Glenview Elementary Schools where each child will receive a new coat. Firefighters will host a pep rally at each school, bringing along their classic Dalmatian mascot, Firefighter FLASH, and personally fitting each child. The coats, manufactured especially for Operation Warm, come in a variety of styles and colors so that children can enjoy a unique coat.

“This is a program that strengthens communities and the overall well-being of children,” stated Carey Palmquist, Executive Director of Operation Warm. “A new coat boosts a child’s self-esteem and allows families to stretch limited financial resources to other basic necessities, such as food and shelter.”

Children will receive their new coats just in time for the holidays, which Nashville Firefighters hope will bring a bit of added joy to over 1,400 families in the Nashville area.

About Firefighters Coats for Kids Foundation

Firefighters Coats for Kids is a division of nonprofit Operation Warm, a 501(c)3 founded in 1998. Operation Warm’s mission is to warm the hearts, minds and bodies of children in poverty through the gift of warmth – a brand new winter coat. Community service is at the core of a firefighter’s mission. Through Firefighters Coats for Kids, they inspire hope and empower the communities they serve, by providing NEW winter coats to those children most in need. By 2013, Firefighters Coats for Kids plans to distribute American-made coats, bringing back jobs to North America and further battling the cycle of poverty.  For more information visit: www.firefighterscoatsforkids.org

About Operation Warm Inc.

Operation Warm Inc. is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit providers of new winter coats to children in need. Our vision is that every child wearing a new winter coat is healthy, able to attend school regularly and develop a strong self-esteem. Operation Warm has distributed coats in 37 states. In February 2012, we served our MILLIONTH child - a momentous milestone. For more information about Operation Warm visit www.operationwarm.org.

Donations for the Nashville Firefighters Coats for Kids are accepted here:

Nashville Firefighters Coats for Kids: www.iaff140.org