More than 350 children in Monongalia County will be warm this winter, thanks to the Morgantown Firefighters IAFF Local 313.
“All the time that we spend dealing with cold weather emergencies is a reactive response,” said Derek Porter, the Operation Warm coordinator for the Morgantown Firefighters IAFF Local 313. “This is one way to interact with the community and keep kids safe in the winter months.”
For the past five years, the Morgantown Firefighters IAFF Local 313 has participated in the Operation Warm program. Through this national program, the firefighters provide brand new winter coats to children in need. Last week, the Local 313 was able to give out coats to 360 children in kindergarten and 1st grade at nine local elementary schools. All coats are made in the U.S. and are purchased with local monetary donations.
For the second consecutive year, TeleTech has been a primary contributor to the success of funding the coats. With a donation from TeleTech of $5,000 this year and $3,000 last year,
Operation Warm was a bigger success in the past two years than ever before. The members of the Local 313 would like to thank all of those who have donated.
“Operation Warm builds self-esteem for kids that get their own coat, the smiles on their faces that they get when they receive a coat of their own is incredible,” said Porter. “All the materialistic things are so small when you realize that there are kids out there that don’t have something as simple as a coat. It’s a humbling, heartwarming experience.”
If you are interested in learning more about Operation Warm or submitting a donation, visit www.operationwarm.org or contact Derek Porter at dporter@morgantownwv.gov.