"We know that sometimes it's tough for parents, they're trying to decide should, they pay the water bill, gas bill, buy food, put a coat on a kid, clothes on their back. And we're just hoping we're making a difference."
The Fairfax County Fire Department, including the firehouse dog, hosted kids for a winter coat drive on Oct. 31, 2023.
(ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp/Luke Lukert)
ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp/Luke Lukert
Some 2,000 free winter coats went to local students in need and some students even visited the firehouse to pick out a coat.
(ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp/Luke Lukert)
ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp/Luke Lukert
Kids were able to choose which coat they preferred at the fire station.
(ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp/Luke Lukert)
ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp/Luke Lukert
The free coats come in time for a frigid night of trick-or-treating.
(ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp/Luke Lukert)
ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp/Luke Lukert
Three young ladies decided they wanted to match and told ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp their favorite color was pink.
(ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp/Luke Lukert)
ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp/Luke Lukert
The coats will got to around 50 schools, shelter and nonprofits in Fairfax County, Alexandria and Prince George’s County.
(ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp/Luke Lukert)
ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp/Luke Lukert
The fire station has been running the winter coat drive for two decades.
(ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp/Luke Lukert)
ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp/Luke Lukert
The firestation’s dog got some attention from preschoolers who came through to pick the perfect coats.
(ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp/Luke Lukert)
ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp/Luke Lukert
The fire department partnered with Operation Warm, a nonprofit, for the coat drive.
(ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp/Luke Lukert)
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department sent 2,000 free winter coats to local students in need Tuesday morning. Some of the youngest students even got to visit the Virginia firehouse and pick out their jackets.
Around 200 preschoolers filed off buses into the Fairfax County Fire Station 11. Many of them dressed up in costumes for Halloween, they petted the firehouse dog as they went from table to table to find that coat with the perfect fit and color.
Three young ladies decided they wanted to match and told ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp their favorite color was pink. Meanwhile, a young boy was thrilled with his new red and black hooded jacket.
“Tonight when they trick or treat they’ll have a brand new coat to wear, and they’re going to need it,” said Willie Bailey, retired deputy chief with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.
He has helped organize the coat distribution for department for the last two decades. The coats have gone around 50 schools, shelter and nonprofits in Fairfax County and Alexandria in Virginia and Prince George’s County, Maryland.
“We know that sometimes it’s tough for parents, they’re trying to decide should, they pay the water bill, gas bill, buy food, put a coat on a kid, clothes on their back. And we’re just hoping we’re making a difference,” said Bailey.
“We get into public safety because we care we want to help folks.”
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department partnered with , a nonprofit who manufactured the coats and sells them at discounted prices, costing just about $21.
Since joining ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapp Luke Lukert has held just about every job in the newsroom from producer to web writer and now he works as a full-time reporter. He is an avid fan of UGA football. Go Dawgs!