Local firefighters bring coats to kids

Published 12:22 pm Monday, November 16, 2015

KITSAP — On Nov. 18, there will be three classes of local second graders feeling a whole lot warmer!

The Kitsap Firefighter’s Benevolent Fund will be distributing new winter coats at View Ridge Elementary in Bremerton as part of the National Firefighter’s Coats for Kids campaign.

The Benevolent Fund is comprised of members of the Professional Fire Fighters of Kitsap County and Bremerton, whose purpose is to assist firefighters, their families and members of the community in times of need.

This campaign is a program through Operation Warm and their commitment to fight poverty.

The members of the Kitsap Firefighter’s Benevolent Fund are dedicated to the children in the communities we serve. With millions of children living in poverty in the United States — we wanted to do something to help keep some of our local children warm this winter. Owning a winter coat has been shown to significantly increase the odds that a child will get to school during the coldest months of the year.

View Ridge Elementary was chosen due to their rate of reduced fare or free lunches. The coats are American Made and the $3,672 cost is covered by money raised through the Benevolent Fund and Locals 437 and 2819, as well as $1,000 donations from both the Bremerton and Silverdale rotaries.

The students don’t know we’re coming and we’re really looking forward to surprising them!

— Edited by Michelle Beahm