(Lincoln Journal Star<\/a>) \u2013 Students at Lincoln\u2019s Hartley Elementary took home new winter coats Thursday through Operation Warm, a program supported by the Lincoln Firefighter\u2019s union.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

This year\u2019s program will provide coats for nearly 700 students at Hartley and McPhee Elementary. McPhee students will get their coats next week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Firefighters contribute to the program and solicit support from local individuals and businesses. The number of coats donated has risen from 400 in 2014.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Its purpose is to help deliver a basic need, relieve the burden of poverty, and give the gifts of happiness and warmth to children in need. In 2012, the International Association of Fire Fighters partnered with Operation Warm to help spread this great cause across the country. The firefighters of Local #644 in Lincoln, tried to obtain funding from several grants in order to launch the program here in our community. Each grant was denied and no funding was available.<\/div>\n

This year, they have selected both Hartley Elementary and McPhee Elementary for a total of roughly 700 students. It was a lofty goal, nearly doubling the number of coats from two years ago, but they were confident they could reach that goal with the community\u2019s support. Beginning at 1:30 today, the Lincoln Firefighter\u2019s union will be at Hartley Elementary at 730 N. 33rd St. distributing the coats. Every child at the school will receive a new coat today. The firefighters will be joined by a few of the corporate sponsors who have contributed donations to the program. Media personnel are invited to attend. Distribution at McPhee will take place next week.<\/p>\n