Our History:
In 2015, we started a new campaign and partnered with the IAFF & Operation Warm that helps our youth in our elementary schools, who are in need of winter jackets. A $25 donation will provide a brand new winter jacket. This program continues to grow as we expand the program throughout the public and parochial schools throughout the City of Stevens Point, WI and Portage County, WI.
We are proud in what we’ve accomplished so far, raising over $77,300 (over 3,000 jackets purchased) for our youth and we won’t stop until every child in our community has a winter jacket.
Nearly 21% of America’s children live in poverty. For a family of four, their income is less than $31,200/ year and Stevens Point Fire Fighters are taking action in the fight against childhood poverty in Portage County. That is why Stevens Point Fire Fighters are raising funds to gift brand-new coats to the children in our community. A new coat not only sparks joy, but also fosters self-confidence, enabling children to socialize with their peers and play outside with pride. Your gift will empower them to succeed.
Each year the Stevens Point Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation, Inc. sets out to raise funds to provide these coats to the children in our elementary schools. We would like to expand our efforts to include all public and parochial schools within Portage County, WI. We are excited to add the Rosholt School District to our 2025 campaign. In 2024, we added the Amherst School District to the campaign. As we continue expand our efforts, we are hopeful for the 2026 fundraising campaign to add the Almond-Bancroft School District.
Currently, we are able to raise enough funds to purchase new winter jackets for the Stevens Point Area Public School District and Parochial Schools, Amherst and Rosholt School Districts. We will continue our partnership with the area schools so no child is left behind.
In 2025, we have partnered with Plover Fire Department, Rudolph Fire Department (Stevens Point Area School District), and Amherst Fire District to assist with distributing the winter jackets to their respected elementary schools.
We appreciate the opportunity to work with you and our partners within the communities.
Feel free to contact Matt Zander at (715) 342-1933 or [email protected] if you have any further questions.
Please consider donating today!
https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/213959
Scanning the QR Code will bring you to our Operation Warm PayPal donation page
Thank you for considering our charitable organizations for a financial contribution.
Multi-dimensional impact:
Our mission is to provide brand new coats to children living in need across North America– positively impacting their school attendance, self-esteem, and overall health & well-being.
Our coats are Made in the USA – Our manufacturing program supports hundreds of jobs and the economy in 14 states and partners with several minority-and women-owned businesses. Our newest supply chain partner, a Kentucky based “cut & sew” operation, is a non-profit organization that provides meaningful work for significantly disabled people, along with the support and services they need to succeed.
In 2012, at the IAFF General Convention in Philadelphia, a resolution was unanimously passed to partner with Operation Warm (OW). The resolution created a new program, Firefighters Coats for Kids. It outlined a USA-Made coat program, branded and designed specifically for IAFF affiliates, with the goal of bringing jobs back to North America. IAFF affiliates who’ve adopted the program have received tremendous publicity and positive reinforcement from their communities and local dignitaries. In 2014, to keep up with the growing potential of the program, OW rebranded to Firefighters for Operation Warm (FFOW) and incorporated the IAFF crest to better display the invaluable partnership.
Year after year, more households across North America will associate the IAFF with the exceptional support they provide to those less fortunate. A partnership of this magnitude could one day help to eliminate the issue of warmth amongst children living in poverty, forever branding firefighters as the catalyst.
Your contribution may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your generous financial donation. The Stevens Point Fire Fighters, Local 484 Charitable Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, tax exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 47-4789616.