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When a call went out to help the students of Larimore Elementary School, who often came to school without wearing protection in the dead of winter, fire fighters of the Hazelwood Fire Department responded with a rescue plan to raise money for the annual “Larimore Student Council Hat, Glove and Mitten Drive” held in December.

With contributions made by fellow co-workers and Hazelwood police officers, they collected $305 and donated this money to the school’s faculty and staff.

“The inspiration to get involved in this program came from one of our Hazelwood fire fighters, Rick Paul, whose wife teaches at Larimore Elementary School,” said Assistant Chief Dave Radel of the Hazelwood Fire Department.

“As professionally trained emergency first responders, we were concerned about this situation because it’s dangerous for young children to be walking around in subzero weather without wearing protection from the harsh elements. They could very easily suffer from hypothermia or catch pneumonia.”

According to Radel, “Wearing a good winter hat is important because up to 60 percent of your body’s heat can escape from your head if it’s uncovered. Safety experts also recommend wearing mittens instead of gloves because you need airspace around your fingers to keep them warm. We knew many of the Larimore students needed these items so we saw it as a way of making a positive difference in our community.”

Paul’s wife is the Student Council sponsor who spearheaded this program.

“We had many children arriving at school without hats, gloves and mittens because their parents couldn’t afford them. So my colleagues often ended up buying these winter items and giving them out to their students,” said Stephanie Paul, M.Ed., Larimore Elementary School teacher.

“Thanks to the generous donation provided by Hazelwood firefighters, a program has been set up enabling our school principal, counselors and nurse to identify Larimore students in need of winter items. We’re also going to purchase a good supply of hats, gloves and mittens with the donated funds. They will be made available free of charge to our neediest students,” stated Paul.

Hazelwood Fire Chief Jim Matthies supported this fund-raising effort and sent Radel to Larimore to make the check presentation.

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