First responders distribute more than 1,800 coats to kids at Penn Daw station

Children were bused in from local preschools to pick up their coats.

Firefighters, police officers and sheriff’s deputies handed out more than 1,800 coats for local kids in need yesterday at the Penn Daw Fire Station.

The “Coats for Kids” event was organized by the Fairfax Fire and Rescue Department, and is now in its 15th year, according to Battalion Chief Willie Bailey. In addition to the coats, more than 700 books were give away, and the children were able to pet a dozen dogs on their way courtesy of Caring Angels Therapy Dogs.

The program is designed for kids living below the Fairfax County poverty level. Children from area preschool programs showed up by the busload at the station Thursday, located a few blocks from Richmond Highway on Hulvey Terrace. Representatives from local elementary, middle and high schools also show up to pick up coats for distribution at the schools.

The coats are all brand new, Bailey said. They are purchased through a partnership with the non-profit charity Operation Warm, who designs and manufactures the coats in the U.S. The fire department raises money to purchase the coats from local businesses.

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Bailey said having a winter coat is vital for poorer children, who sometimes miss school in the winter months because they lack coats. For kids who rely on free or reduced meals for breakfast and lunch, that means they’re not eating.

“We hope by giving these kids a coat they’re going to go to school, get a nutritious meal, and getting an education,” Bailey said.

Although Coats for Kids was started by the fire department, the Fairfax County Police and Fairfax County Sheriff’s office are now partners in the program. Bailey thought it was important to provide children with a different view of law enforcement than they may be used to.

“A lot of time these kids, they only see a police officer when they’re coming to arrest a family member,” Bailey said. 

Bailey estimates that over $40,000 in coats were distributed on Thursday.