BBR firefighters aid homeless veterans

Many homeless veterans in Central Oregon will weather the chilly winds of winter better thanks to a donation by the Black Butte Ranch Rural Fire Protection District Volunteer Association.

The association raffled a quilt made by Dakota and Dove Lengele last 4th of July and also conducted a silent auction to raise funds for veterans outreach.

"We bought hand and body warmers and sleeping bags and donated them to homeless veterans in Central Oregon," said association President Mike Groat.

The donation, which was distributed November 20, was facilitated through COVO (Central Oregon Veterans Outreach).

The donation added up to some $1,200, Groat said.

Reaching out to veterans is important to the fire department. Several of its students and paid staff are military veterans themselves.

"We help veterans a lot because it's close to home for a lot of the guys," Groat

said.

For more information on COVO visit www.covo-us.org.