Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Professional Firefighters Engage Community to Warm the Hearts of Children

The Professional Firefighters of Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Local 3985 invites the community to join them in helping to provide new winter coats to warm the hearts, minds, and bodies, of children in need. This fundraising campaign is led by the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 3985 to provide at-risk children in Algonquin and Lake in the Hills with brand-new, American-made coats for the winter. This is the first year the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Professional Firefighters have joined forces with national non-profit Operation Warm to launch the program, “Firefighters Coats for Kids,” a movement led by professional firefighters across the U.S. to combat the effects of childhood poverty while saving American jobs.

Each $32 donation will provide a brand-new, American-made winter coat for a child in the communities of Algonquin and Lake in the Hills where nearly 18% of students live at a degree of the federal poverty level. “ Local 3985 has been working hard to give back to these children,” says Kevin Raether, IAFF Local 3985 Firefighter. “We hope to gain support from everyone in the community to make this winter a special one.” The Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Firefighters hope to continue collecting donations throughout the winter months.

“When we're not responding to 911 emergencies, we find other ways to serve those who need us in the community,” stated Raether. “Keeping these children warm and safe throughout the winter is the least we can do.” The Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Professional Firefighters hope to raise at least $1,000 to provide new winter coats to over 30 children. Just before the Illinois cold sets in, Firefighters will surprise the students with their bright new coats, personally fitting each child, and helping them to write their names in the interior tag, which reads, “Made Especially for You.”

“This is a program that strengthens communities and the overall well-being of children,” stated Carey Palmquist, Executive Director of Operation Warm. “A new coat boosts a child's self-esteem and allows families to stretch limited financial resources to other basic necessities, such as food and shelter.”

Donate to Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Professional Firefighters Coats for Kids: www.operationwarm.org/ALH