On February 5th 2015, 50 children from low-income families will be outfitted with brand-new winter coats thanks to Waterbury Firefighters Local 1339. Waterbury Firefighters have partnered with Operation Warm, a non- profit organization that has provided new coats to 1.5 million children in need.
    The coat distribution is scheduled for Thursday February 5, 2015 at Jonathon Reed School. The school was chosen based upon its high percentage of children qualifying for support programs. Waterbury Firefighters worked closely with Diana Monti, Parent Liaison at Reed School, to select children who would most benefit. “A new coat allows families to use funds to pay for other basic needs such as food and housing,” explained Pat Maloney, Program Coordinator and Waterbury Firefighter.
    Firefighters raised money through a number of sources; contributions were made by Waterbury Fire Dept. members, the local community, FD Community Federal Credit Union members, Western Connecticut Labor Council AFL-CIO, and corporate sponsor Cigna. Thanks to the generous support of all, firefighters will provide 50 new coats for children. “As first responders we interact with the public every day, and we recognized the need locally for a program like this,” explains Maloney, “We are proud to participate in a program that benefits the community we serve and the overall well- being of children.” Last year Waterbury Firefighters provided 50 coats to local children through the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Waterbury.
    Operation Warm has brought 20% of its manufacturing back to the USA, an effort which supports over 200, fair paying jobs. “This is so much more than a coat,” said Rich Lalley, Executive Director of Operation Warm. “Beyond warmth and dignity for children, producing coats in the USA puts Americans back to work and back on their feet.”
In 2012, Operation Warm and the International Association of Firefighters launched a partnership that spans the US and Canada. Working together for two years, IAFF Firefighters have served over 50,000 less-fortunate children in 39 states.

Jonathon Reed School
33 Griggs St Waterbury CT 06704 9:30 AM on February 5, 2015
To Donate: operationwarm.org/waterbury

For More Information search Firefighters for Operation Warm