Nashua Firefighters Provide Sneakers To Kids At Community Center

NASHUA, NH — Nashua firefighters met at the Arlington Street Community Center in the Crown Hill neighborhood to drop off nearly 200 pairs of sneakers.

Nashua firefighters who are part of the IAFF 789 Union annually do a fundraising effort called “Operation Warm.” Traditionally the work of the firefighters raises funds to buy new warm coats to donate to children. Due to the pandemic last year, Operation Warm was not able to be completed.

The donations from Operation Warm were used to purchase 192 pairs of sneakers that will be given to children ranging from toddlers to third graders.

NFR Lt. Thomas Wholey said the mantra of all firefighters is to “put others before self,” and to always give back to the communities they serve.

Wholey said that over $3,000 was raised from individuals, businesses, and organizations. The money helped fund the purchase of the new sneakers.

Megan Caron the director of the Arlington Street Community Center was on hand to accept the donation. She said that children constantly need new sneakers from growing, and wearing out the ones they have. The community center serves almost 700 children from across Nashua annually.

The members of Nashua Fire Rescue will now work towards raising funds for new coats that will be distributed in the fall. The children from the community center will be one of many recipients of the coats.