Snow is quickly falling which means it is time to bundle up! The Johnstown Firefighter’s Union, IAFF Local 463 headed out to the city asking for donations to purchase coats for students who need the clothing at East Side and West Side Elementary Schools.

The Coats For Kids drive first started when Captain Mike Prebehalla, Vice President of the union, and a few colleagues took notice of such a program while attending a PA career firefighters’ conference in Harrisburg a couple years ago.

“It immediately grabbed our attention,” Prebehalla stated. “We knew right away it was a program we need to start right here in Johnstown.”

The Union’s first campaign was approximately three years ago. The collected money at that time was to purchase coats only for East Side.

“When we started talks of this year’s campaign, we wanted to include West Side students, as well,” Prebehalla said.

With the help of Renee Daly and Joe Slis from Johnstown’s Department of Community and Economic Development, donation requests were sent out to almost every business within the city.

The outcome from businesses and private donations were overwhelming, raising over $7,000 and providing over 400 coats.

The coat drive also collected money at the last Trojan football game of the regular season.

“With the help of the Greater Johnstown School District, we raised nearly $800 at the gate and during the game,” said Prebehalla.

The drive is aiming to deliver and distribute the coats before Thanksgiving break at the elementary schools.