From staff reports
The annual Coats For Kids drive sponsored by Oil City firefighters is underway.
Oil City Firefighters Local 700 is now collecting tax deductible donations from anyone interested in helping area youngsters who need warm winter coats.
The firefighters began participating in this project to provide free winter coats to children in need in 2013.
In the past, firefighters have also provided coats for children who attended Cranberry and Valley Grove school districts, Head Start and Child Development Centers.
Last year’s campaign brought in around $15,000, and the donations led to the purchase of about 450 coats, said John Horn, an Oil City firefighter and the chairman of last year’s effort.
Horn is also leading this year’s campaign, and he stressed that the new coats the firefighters provide to the children are 100 percent American made and that every penny donated goes toward the coats. The firefighters don’t keep any of the donations, Horn said.
Donations can be made by check, money order, cash or online payment.
Online donations can be made at donate.operationwarm.org.
