There are 79 school kids feeling a whole lot warmer in Kitsap County, thanks to local firefighters.

The Kitsap Firefighter’s Benevolent Fund, comprised of Professional Firefighter’s from Local 437 and Local 2819, recently distributed new winter coats at West Hills S.T.E.M. Academy in Bremerton as part of the National Firefighter’s Coats for Kids campaign.

This campaign is a program through Operation Warm and their commitment to fight poverty.The members of the Kitsap Firefighter’s Benevolent Fund are dedicated to the children in the communities we serve.

With over 16.5 million children living in poverty in the United States, they wanted to do something to help keep some local children warm this winter.

West Hills S.T.E.M. Academy was chosen due to its high rate of reduced fare or free lunches within the three school districts our jurisdictions serve.

The coats are American Made and $2,652 was raised through the Benevolent Fund and Locals 437 and 2819 to cover the costs.

Twenty coats that were leftover from last year’s campaign were also donated to the school so that administrators could hand them out as needed.