Stevens Point firefighters collecting donations to buy winter coats for kids

By Brandi Makuski

STEVENS POINT — More than 560 Portage County children from low-income families are hoping to receive brand-new winter coats this season through a local initiative led by the Stevens Point Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation.

For the 11th year, the foundation has partnered with Operation Warm, a national nonprofit that provides new coats and shoes to children in need. Since its founding in 1998, Operation Warm and its partners have served more than 5 million children across North America.

“A warm coat is an essential item for children and their families in our community,” said Lt. Matt Zander, director of the Stevens Point Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Operation Warm on this initiative to make an impact on our community—especially this year, when more families than ever are in need.”

Zander said the effort has expanded to include the Amherst and Rosholt school districts, with participation from the Amherst, Plover, and Rudolph fire departments. The coats will be distributed to students in the Stevens Point Area Public and parochial elementary schools, as well as in the Amherst and Rosholt districts.

Nearly 21% of American children live in poverty, meaning a family of four earns less than $31,200 per year. The Stevens Point firefighters are raising funds to ensure local children can stay warm, feel confident, and enjoy outdoor play with their peers.

Donations are being accepted at the Stevens Point Fire Department’s Station 1, 1701 Franklin St., or by mail at:

Local 484 Charities
Attn: Operation Warm
P.O. Box 484
Stevens Point, WI 54481

More information is available at stevenspointfirefighters.org/operation-warm. Donations may also be made through PayPal.

Operation Warm has worked for more than 25 years to provide clothing and other essentials to underserved children while connecting families to community resources. The Stevens Point Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation, established in 2015 as a 501(c)(3), has since donated more than $260,000 to community programs and residents in need.