In 2009, Poul Lemasters and his kids decided to make a simple choice. That year, as part of their Christmas, they bought a handful of new coats and donated them. The thought was simple – give a little instead of just receiving.  The process was even easier – just buy a few new coats. It was meant to be a single act to help show kids the good things people can do.

The next year something happened.  Poul’s kids asked if they were donating coats again. “Of course we are!” Poul said. But then, they asked if they could do more.  Since then, the Lemasters Family has tried to “give a little more” each and every year, thanks to community partners and generous donations.

In 2021, the Foward Foundation proudly awarded Lemasters Coat Drive with a $5,000 grant. The grant will fund brand new, warm coats, which will be donated to schools in Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia, as well as St. Vincent de Paul in Cincinnati.