Milwaukee firefighters raise $85,000 to help protect children from Wisconsin's harsh winter

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- An update on a fundraising campaign by the Milwaukee Fire Department: MFD says they have collected more than $85,000 for their "Warm Up Winter" campaign.

The money will go to getting coats for Milwaukee children in need this winter.

Instead of battling fires, Milwaukee firefighter Scott Vilter spent Tuesday morning, June 24th fighting a very different issue -- Wisconsin's harsh, and bitterly cold winter.

"We`re sometimes helping people in their house and this time we`re out getting donations so we can help them in the future," said Vilter.

Firefighters throughout the city will be out on the streets with their boots in hand asking for donations to help children in poverty.

"As firefighters, we`re out and we see these kids on the street corners sometimes ill prepared for the weather and there`s something that we can do about that," said Lt. Brian Gardner with the Milwaukee Fire Department.

This is the third year of the "Warm Up Winter" effort, which has provided new coats to 5,000 children in need at 11 Milwaukee Public Schools.

"Once you see them receive the coat, they`re very excited because a lot of these kids -- they`ve never had anything brand new," said Lt. Gardner.

Last year, Milwaukee firefighters raised $50,000 in just three days for Warm Up Winter.

Milwaukee firefighters plan to deliver the coats to students at MPS schools in October, warming the bodies and hearts of our future.

For more information on the cause or to learn how to donate CLICK HERE.