701 Brand New Winter Coats Donated to Cincinnati-Area Families

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.

2014 Lemasters Coat Drive Results

Cincinnati-Area Families Received $34,000+ in Coats, Hats, Gloves this Winter Since 2011, the Lemasters Coat Drive has provided 1,825 brand new coats, 430 new pairs of gloves and 362 new hats to families in the Cincinnati area.

“We’re proud of those numbers and grateful for this yearly opportunity to make Cincinnati a little warmer,” said Poul Lemasters, owner of Lemasters, a consulting firm, based in Cincinnati.

Lemasters has been organizing a Coat Drive for several years with local Cincinnati–area kids and adults as beneficiaries. “What makes our coat drive different is that we donate brand new coats and brand new hats and gloves,” said Lemasters. “These families are wearing items that only they have worn.”

The Blue Ash Old Navy store has partnered with Lemasters and their Coat Drive over the past few years, this year included. They help the coat drive donations stretch farther…..a lot farther….through discounts and sales.

“Thanks to Old Navy, my clients, friends and partners in our annual coat drive, we were able to donate items valued at $34,956.54 this year” said Lemasters. “A little love from a lot of people can go a long way.”

Distribution was handled by Cincinnati’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul in early December of 2014.

“Our staff and volunteers work with many people throughout the year, and you have some of the best! It was truly an inspiring morning to unload those coats with you, your daughter and your staff, and immediately distribute them to neighbors in need of warmth,” said Liz Carter, Executive Director, Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Donors to the 2014 Lemasters Consulting Coat Drive included private individuals, deathcare providers and financial service providers.

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2014 Annual Coat Drive | Gathering & Giving

This is the 6th year of our annual coat drive where we collect donations in order to purchase brand new winter coats, hats and gloves for children in need in Cincinnati. We partner with St. Vincent De Paul and they distribute the coats each year in early December. This year, our distribution date is December 6. Old Navy also partners with us—they give us a generous discount to help your dollars go even further.  

In 2013, 582 brand new coats, 76 pairs of brand new gloves and 123 brand new hats were donated. In total, the retail value of last year's donations was more than $25,000.

This year we want to exceed that goal!

We are extremely proud of our coat drive and the very real, immediate impact it has on the community. With another bitterly cold winter predicted, your donation can have a very real and potentially life-saving impact.

Please consider donating to this cause, all you need to do is click here to donate online:

You can also mail a check to "Lemasters Consulting Coat Drive Fund" at 3644 Werk Rd. #58413 Cincinnati, Ohio 45258. These checks need to arrive no later than November 21, 2013.