Poudre Fire Authority Firefighters Donate Nearly 400 Coats to Local Students in Need
The firefighter union representing Poudre Fire Authority delivered 394 new winter coats to students across Poudre School District on November 17, completing the distribution to multiple schools in less than an hour.
Local 1945, the International Association of Fire Fighters union representing PFA uniformed personnel, partnered with Costco in Timnath to purchase the coats for children who need them this winter. The union announced the donation through PFA's official social media channels on November 17.
The rapid distribution was coordinated with teachers throughout the school district, which serves communities including Fort Collins, Timnath, LaPorte and Bellvue across approximately 1,800 square miles in Larimer and Weld counties.
Union Continues Tradition of Community Support
Local 1945 has maintained a decades-long pattern of charitable engagement focused on supporting vulnerable populations in Northern Colorado, according to PFA historical records. The union has conducted annual toy collection and distribution programs dating back to at least the 1930s, when firefighters collected and distributed toys to underprivileged children during holiday events.
The coat donation aligns with PFA's broader community outreach initiatives, which include fire safety education presentations in local schools, emergency preparedness programs and seasonal charitable campaigns conducted throughout the year.
The union represents firefighters of various ranks within PFA, including entry-level firefighters, engineers and fire officers. Local 1945 functions as the primary labor organization for uniformed personnel, handling collective bargaining while also engaging in community charitable efforts beyond traditional labor issues.
Multiple Community Organizations Address Growing Need
The firefighters' coat distribution comes as multiple Northern Colorado organizations have expanded assistance programs in recent months to address increased community needs.
Poudre Fire Authority collected stuffed animals throughout November for its 8th Annual Marlie's Stuffies for Emergencies Drive, which provides comfort items to children during traumatic emergency responses. The 2024 collection gathered approximately 1,700 stuffed animals.
Fort Collins businesses launched expanded food assistance programs following federal SNAP benefit disruptions, with collaborative efforts distributing thousands of pounds of meat and supplies to affected families.
The Food Bank for Larimer County is seeking 4,700 turkeys for Thanksgiving distributions amid increased demand, while FoCo Cafe collects frozen turkeys for its November 27 community Thanksgiving lunch serving more than 250 people.
Food insecurity affects approximately 32,000 to 40,000 Larimer County residents, with 33 percent of those experiencing hunger being children, according to Food Bank for Larimer County data.
Poudre Fire Authority serves approximately 235 square miles across Fort Collins, Timnath, LaPorte, Bellvue and surrounding areas in Larimer and Weld counties. The authority operates 13 fire stations and employs 248 full-time staff including 207 uniformed firefighters.