Firefighters provide 3,000 coats for kids

Nearly 3,000 Minnesota kids will be warm this winter in new coats, thanks to fundraising drives led by Minneapolis and St. Paul Firefighters.

This is the third year for Minneapolis Firefighters Local 82’s “Operation Warm,” which began in 2013 with a fundraising effort that led to a donation of 530 coats. This year, the total was 1,600 coats.

“We raised close to $70,000” this year, reported Justin Johnson, an eight-year member of Local 82 who coordinates “Operation Warm.” With support from corporate donors, other local unions, and individuals, “Operation Warm” this year distributed coats in October to students at four Minneapolis elementary schools: Anishinabe, Bethune, Mona Moede and Sullivan. In addition, Johnson drove up to the Red Lake Indian Reservation and delivered new coats to 200 kindergarten students there.

The coats are American-made and union-made.

Next year, Johnson said, Local 82 may merge its efforts with Saint Paul Firefighters Local 21, which this year raised funds and donated 1,200 winter coats.

“It’s going to continue to grow,” Johnson said. “Next year, I want to get more locals involved.”