Hundreds of children in Marysville and Tulalip will be wearing brand new coats this fall and winter thanks to Marysville Fire District firefighters.

Members of Marysville Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 3219, gave away more than 500 free coats during the Salvation Army of Marysville’s back-to-school backpack giveaway on August 22. The coats are provided in partnership with the national nonprofit Operation Warm.

“When there is any opportunity to support children and families in our community, we want to take it,” said Dean Shelton, Marysville Fire District Medical Services Administrator and Local 3219 President. “Firefighters know this is a tough year for a lot of folks and we are grateful to help in ways beyond providing emergency services.”

 Funding for the coats is generated through a fundraising campaign in partnership with KISW 99.9 FM.

Operation Warm has manufactured more than four million coats for children in need over the past 23 years.