Friday, January 10, 2014

Dallas Fire Fighters provide coats for 529 students at Martin Weiss Elementary School




After hearing about Project Warm at a national professional convention last summer, Fire Fighter Mike McLemore knew exactly how he and his colleagues could support and help children in Dallas ISD.   

As 1st Vice President of Local 58 Dallas Fire Fighters Association, Fireman McLemore suggested an annual project: Select a Dallas ISD school and raise funds to ensure that every student had a new coat to help them be warm, healthy and ready to learn throughout the cold winter .  The project caught fire.


Today fire-fighter volunteers and Auxiliary members distributed coats at Martin Weiss Elementary School.  By grades, all 529 Martin Weiss owls lined up with big smiles, hand-written cards and colorful signs of appreciation.

Volunteers were struck by expressions and emotions of some students who may not have ever owned a new coat.

 Though temperatures were warm outside and inside the school building,  once trying on their new coats, students did not want to take them off.  Having previously provided information, many were able to select their favorite color and a coat sized to fit this year and next.


Receiving new coats was zipped up with students' meeting Fire Chief Louie Bright, III, a Dallas ISD graduate, and visiting a big red fire truck.  What a day to remember!


Teacher Dwayla Berry co-ordinated, assisted by technology specialist Euraine Patin and counselor Kimberly Washington.

Dr. Deardra Hayes-Whigham is Principal at Martin Weiss Elementary.