Community Warmth: North Metro Police Departments Turn Friendly Rivalry Into Winter Relief

BLAINE, Minn. -  What began as a seasonal call for winter coats evolved into one of the most successful cold weather giving efforts in the North Metro this year, as the Blaine Police Department and Mounds View Police Department joined forces with residents, volunteers, and regional partners during the 2025 Winter Coat Drive.

The initiative combined community generosity with a lighthearted interdepartmental competition that helped push donation totals to new highs. While the friendly rivalry drew attention, the shared mission remained clear from the start: ensuring neighbors across the Twin Cities have reliable protection from Minnesota’s unforgiving winter temperatures.

Record-Breaking Results Through Friendly Competition

This year’s drive featured a “Border Battle” style challenge among North Metro police departments, a format that departments say helped energize participation and visibility.

Mounds View Police Department emerged with the top total, collecting nearly 1,000 winter coats for donation. Blaine Police Department finished close behind, nearly doubling its own donation totals compared to previous years, a milestone city officials described as a major community win.

Although bragging rights briefly came into play, officers emphasized that the true success of the drive was measured not in rankings, but in the number of families and individuals who will stay warm through the remainder of the winter.

Donations Supporting the Salvation Army

All coats collected through the drive were designated for The Salvation Army, which operates local service centers across Minnesota providing emergency assistance, winter clothing, and heating support for families and individuals experiencing hardship.

In Minnesota, where extended cold snaps routinely push temperatures into dangerous territory, winter outerwear is not a luxury. It is often the first line of defense against hypothermia and frostbite, particularly for seniors, children, and people experiencing housing instability.

The People Behind the Effort

Police departments credited the success of the drive to a combination of grassroots coordination and visible community leadership.

The Vreeland family was recognized for helping organize logistics and coordination across departments, a reminder that many of the region’s most effective charitable efforts are powered by residents who step forward to bridge institutions and neighborhoods.

The event also drew support from Justin Morneau, the former Minnesota Twins MVP and longtime Twin Cities philanthropist. Morneau attended the collection event and lent his name and presence to the effort, continuing a track record of involvement in local causes that range from medical research fundraising to food and coat drives across the metro.

Organizers noted that Morneau’s participation helped amplify awareness and reinforced the idea that public figures and public servants alike play a role in strengthening community safety beyond the playing field or patrol car.

More Than a Coat Drive

While the tangible outcome of the 2025 Winter Coat Drive is measured in boxes of coats headed to distribution centers, law enforcement leaders say the broader impact lies in trust and visibility.

Events like this reflect the principles of community oriented policing, which emphasize relationship building and collaboration outside of enforcement contexts. By hosting and participating in public service efforts, departments create opportunities for residents to interact with officers in settings defined by cooperation rather than crisis.

As winter continues across Minnesota, the coats collected through this effort will soon be doing quiet, life sustaining work in neighborhoods throughout the region. For Blaine, Mounds View, and their partners, the drive stands as a reminder that when competition is paired with collaboration, the outcome can be both meaningful and measurable, keeping thousands of neighbors warmer when it matters most.

MinneapoliMedia