Firefighters Help to Distribute 300 Coats for Kids


MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

Members of the Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department joined with the County Homeless Education Office, Department of Social Services, students from the University of Maryland, and Operation Warm today, Wednesday, November 30, in distributing 300 new coats designated for underprivileged children.  Career, civilian and volunteer members of the Department worked side-by-side with staff and volunteers from the other organizations to fill requests for the new coats.  The event was held at Heroes Hall at the Branchville Volunteer Fire/EMS Department in College Park.  Career and volunteer firefighter/medics from Branchville, College Park, Berwyn Heights and Greenbelt assisted at the charitable event.

Three hundred pre-identified public school children will receive a winter coat this year through the Operation Warm program. Staff from the Homeless Education Office pre-identified the families in need of these coats and selected the coats at today's event and then delivered them to the children. This event will be the distribution of new coats to staff to deliver to children at various locations throughout Prince George’s County. 

Operation Warm, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit providers of new winter coats to children in need. Operation Warm melds its core values of accountability, excellence, integrity, innovation, respect and teamwork with the strength of its community network to reach children across the country. Our vision is that every child wearing a new winter coat is healthy, able to attend school regularly and develop a strong self-esteem. Since its inception, more than 775,000 children have received the gift of warmth, a new winter coat. Along with Coats for Kids Foundation (Combined Federal Campaign  #52316), a service of Operation Warm, Inc. we will serve our MILLIONTH child by year’s end-a momentous milestone.

Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor was among those today helping to fill the bags with orders for boys or girls coats with the requested size.  He stated, "We are excited to work with Operation Warm and assist in the selection and distribution of coats.  This is our first year working with this generous organization and I look forward to this becoming an annual event."

1-800-Boardup helped to start the event by donating $300 to Operation Warm.  Hugh Owen made the presentation on behalf of his company and looks forward to an even bigger donation next year.  Three Brothers Restaurant donated ten pizzas for the workers and the Branchville Bingo donated soda and snacks.












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