News Release > Entergy Arkansas, Little Rock firefighters donate coats to LRSD kids

Entergy Arkansas, Little Rock firefighters donate coats to LRSD kids

12/18/2024

800 students served through 'Operation Warm'

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – For the 10th year in a row, Entergy Arkansas and the Little Rock International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 34 have come together to provide winter coats to elementary school students for “Operation Warm.” Through this partnership, hundreds of students in the Little Rock School District received new coats Wednesday, just before the students’ winter break begins. 

Operation Warm is a national nonprofit that manufactures high-quality coats and shoes for children in need. The coats are designed and manufactured by the nonprofit to be long-wearing, water repellent and machine washable, with a warm fleece lining, deep pockets to keep little hands warm even without gloves, and detachable hoods. They come in sizes 2T to adult. Since 1998, the organization has provided more than 6 million coats to kids in need across the United States. 

The IAFF Union 34 began working with the national nonprofit several years ago after seeing a group of young children shivering at a school bus stop near their firehouse.  

“Helping people is our job, but it’s also part of who we are,” said IAFF Union 34 President Matthew Stallings. “We work year-round to support this program, and the last few weeks have been a concerted effort with Entergy and the Little Rock School District to determine the needs of the students and organize the coats for distribution. It’s worth any effort, though, to see those smiling faces as we do what we can to help children in our community weather the cold.” 

With the support of a $10,000 grant from Entergy Arkansas and payroll-deduction contributions from members of IAFF Local 34, firefighters purchased 800 new coats for children at Western Hills and Carver STEAM Magnet Elementaries, as well as Romine Early Childhood Center.

“Since 2015, nearly 6,000 students across the Little Rock School District have benefited from the generosity of Union 34 firefighters and Entergy, said LRSD Superintendent Jermall Wright. “We are deeply grateful for their continued dedication and investment in our community. Their support is not just a donation, but a demonstration of the vital role community partnerships play in our mission to impact the lives of our students.”

“Entergy Arkansas works with community partners year-round and across the state to better our communities through grants and volunteerism, and this event is the ultimate example of our commitment to “power life” in every community we serve,” said Laura Landreaux, Entergy Arkansas president and CEO. “We are grateful to the Little Rock Fire Fighters Union 34 members who spearhead the effort with individual donations and coordinate the logistics of the coat donations and delivery. Helping meet the needs of children in this way is both an honor and a joy.”

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy Arkansas, visit the Newsroom and connect with @EntergyArk on social media.