Stevens Point firefighters are doubling their fundraising efforts this year to provide new winter coats to local kids in need.
The Stevens Point Firefighters Union partnered for the first time last year with Operation Warm, a national organization that provides students with brand new winter coats made in the United States. During the 2015 fundraiser, Stevens Point firefighters raised $3,500, which purchased 102 coats for local students. This year, the department set its fundraising goal twice as high at $7,000.
"We weren't glad that there's that many kids that need them," said Firefighter Matt Zander. "At the same time, we were glad that we could provide them."