The Blount County Fire Department held its annual auction this month with all proceeds benefiting the Coats for Our Community program.
“The auction went superbly,” said Blount County Fire Lt. Johnny Leatherwood. “We raised a little over $12,000.”
This is about $4,000 more than the last auction. Last year the firefighters were able to give coats to more than 2,000 people in the community.
All proceeds from the auction will benefit Coats for Our Community, a program dedicated to making sure that no one goes without a coat during the cold winter weather.
Auctioned this year were two cars and other big ticket items.
“We had a little bit of everything, something for everybody,” Leatherwood said. “The community really supports this thing.
“This is the most money we have ever raised at auction and every penny we raise goes toward buying coats.”
The BCFD started Coats for Our Community about 16 years ago, and they travel to schools in Maryville, Alcoa and Blount County to give coats to children in need.
Although they don’t travel to Sevier County schools, Leatherwood said anyone can stop by BCFD Station 7, 5156 Sevierville Road in Seymour, to pick up a coat.
“This is for everybody,” he said. “We have coats available for anyone who walks in and needs a coat.
“We don’t ask any questions, besides asking the person if they have a working smoke detector.”
If a Seymour resident does not have a working detector, then personnel at Station 7 will notify the Seymour Volunteer Fire Department so the residents can receive one for free.
“We have a lot of people in the Seymour area who come down and get coats,” Leatherwood said. “They can just walk in and say ‘I need a coat’ and we’ll fix them up.”
In addition to giving coats to everyone, the BCFD also takes donations of clean, used coats as well.
“Last year we handed out around 4,000 coats and new are looking forward to it being more this year,” Leatherwood said. “With the economy in the shape it is in we need it to be bigger this year.”
Station 7 is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for anyone who would like to donate, or pick up a coat. The only stipulation is that anyone who wishes to receive a coat must be present when picking it up.
Those who wish to support for the Coats for Our Community program can call the fire department at (865) 983-2133.
Donations can be sent to: Blount County Fire Department, P.O. Box 4488, Maryville, TN, 37802.

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