There are 701 new winter coats on Cincinnati-area streets this winter.
“Since 2011, we’ve been raising money for, purchasing and donating brand new winter coats, hats and gloves to Cincinnati-area families,” said Poul Lemasters, owner of Lemasters, a consulting firm, based in Cincinnati.
A total of 2,526 brand new coats have been donated to local families since the coat drive began in 2011.
“Our goal this year was to donate 700 brand new coats,” said Lemasters, “We actually donated 701 coats…..and more than 500 pairs of gloves, hats and blankets too!”
Lemasters partners with the Blue Ash Old Navy Store to purchase the winter wear. The donation’s distribution is handled by St. Vincent de Paul.
“What makes our coat drive different is that we donate brand new coats and brand new hats and gloves,” said Lemasters.
Lemasters clients, friends, and partners make donations to the Lemasters Coat Drive Fund and Lemasters matches all of those donations. This year, Lemasters also donated all profits from the sales of its Charitable Merchandise—hats, t-shirts and a card game—as well.
“The retail value of our donation this year came to $36,662.29”, said Lemasters, “There’s nothing worse than being cold in winter and we’re grateful for everyone’s support. It’s so rewarding to work on this coat drive each year.”
Donors to the 2015 Lemasters Consulting Coat Drive included private individuals, deathcare providers and financial service providers.
