- November 26, 2024
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The Ormond Beach Firefighter Charities, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Ormond Beach, is helping to keep local children warm this winter by providing schools with new coats for their students.
The charity purchased 60 winter coats through Operation Warm, a national non-profit organization that helps gift coats to children in need. According to a press release, firefighters from across the U.S. and Canada are bringing this program to the communities they serve. This was the first time the program was brought to Ormond Beach.
“It just kind of goes along with our mission statement saying that we’ll help the needy and support our community," said local firefighter Tabitha Wu, who is also on the board for the Ormond Beach Firefighter Charities. "We’re glad that we just get the opportunity to do that.”
Wu said they determined how many coats each school would get based on need. Ormond Middle School has the largest of students, and therefore received the most coats.
However, she also thought it was important to include Ormond Beach Elementary in the program, since most students walk or bike to the school. There is no bus transportation. OBE received 14 coats.
Sarah Callahan, teacher on assignment at OBE, said the school is grateful for the donations it has received from the community.
“We do have the responsibility to support our kids, not only academically, but socially, emotionally and physically," Callahan said. "So for us, to be able to provide things that students would need is just another benefit and heartwarming thing we get to do in our jobs.”
