Elgin Fire Department collects over 2,000 winter items for Crisis Center

Posted February 19, 2025 7:06 pm

Submitted by City of Elgin

During the 2024 holiday season, the Elgin Fire Department helped the Community Crisis Center in collecting adult winter wear items for men and women.

This marked the 10th year that the Elgin Fire Department has sponsored a coat drive to support the Gretchen S. Vapnar Community Crisis Center’s need for winter clothing.

This year, they helped 218 households by providing 552 coats, assisted 239 households with 659 pairs of gloves, supported 202 households with 554 hats, and served 137 households with 375 scarves. Additionally, numerous snow pants and shoes were distributed.

While the seven fire stations that comprise the Elgin Fire Department serve as collection points, the true success of this annual event comes from the generosity of community groups and residents of Elgin.

Bags of winter wear fill up an ambulance before transport to the Community Crisis Center as part of the Elgin Fire Department's annual collection drive. Courtesy of City of Elgin

One significant contributor is the Sarah Leonard Realty team, which has acted as an unofficial collection point for several years. They assist by delivering coats during one of the first deliveries to the crisis center each year.

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