Tumwater firefighters donate 359 coats to Michael T. Simmons Elementary
Some of the coats have Seahawks colors and some of the coats have Broncos colors, but all of the coats will keep children warm this winter.
Tumwater firefighters donated 359 new coats to Michael T. Simmons Elementary School students Thursday morning as part of an annual nationwide tradition called Operation Warm.
Each year, firefighters from IAFF Local 2409 raise money to buy the coats for a local school with the most low-income students in need. About 39 percent of the nearly 700 students at Michael T. Simmons Elementary qualify for free and reduced-priced meals, according to state data, meaning they are from low-income families.
Students in kindergarten through third grade met with off-duty firefighters at the school library to pick out a coat. The coats come in a range of colors and cost about $34 each.
Assistant principal Kyle Grunenfelder said many of the school’s students lack a proper winter coat.
“It’s a need we could see,” he said, praising the firefighters for the donations. “We’re really thankful.”
Lt. Donovan Cathey, IAFF Local 2409 union president, said all the coats are made in the United States and are purchased with local donations. The union raised about $11,000 for this year’s project, he said. The firefighters have previously donated coats to Tumwater Hill and Peter G. Schmidt elementary schools.
“We expect to do this every year,” Cathey said. “It lets our community know that we’re committed to our community.”
Nicole Andres, manager of Pints Barn in Tumwater, volunteered to help students try on coats Thursday at the school. Pints Barn hosts several charity efforts throughout the year, including the main fundraiser for Operation Warm.
Andres said she was touched by the children’s excitement when they realized they could take the coats home.
“It’s heartbreaking that, in these times, some parents have to work two jobs to put food on the table,” Andres said. She said that when it comes to kids and families, “we just want to make sure they’re taken care of.”
This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 12:59 PM with the headline "Tumwater firefighters donate 359 coats to Michael T. Simmons Elementary."