District 25 Collects Coats for Kids

Pictured: Brother Steven G. Folmar; Steven Burick, Guidance Counselor at Cambridge Springs Elementary School; and Brother Jack E. Flaugh

A community-based program for District 25 created by Past District Deputy Grand Master Jack E. Flaugh, P.M., Crawford Lodge No. 234, Meadville, collected and distributed coats and accessories to area children in need this winter.

The 8th annual coat drive, “Masons Helping Kids,” has delivered over 1,300 coats to local elementary schools and pre-k child development centers since 2017. Jack also collects hats, gloves and boots, when they are available.

“We collected about 50 coats in our first year,” Jack said. “This year, we collected close to 312. The program continues to increase in size. We’ve been able to get more donations, not just from the lodges, but private donations from individuals. We’ve been very blessed, and I hope it continues.”

Of the 312 coats, 273 were purchased through donated funds and the rest were provided by individual Masons and non-Masons. Cash donations were received from the 25th District, the 25th District School of Instruction, the Meadville Area Masonic Center, individual

Masons and non-members. Jack was able to secure major discounts from several stores to offset the cost of the coats.

The winter wear is collected and distributed primarily in the Meadville area/Crawford County from October to December. Several businesses get involved, including Erie Bank, which serves as a coat collection site, along with the Meadville Area Masonic Center, Crawford Lodge and the Meadville Tribune.

Coats should be new or slightly used and clean, but Jack said he accepts any or all donations.

“I recently had 275 coats in my living room ready to go,” he said. “My wife, Cindy, helps organize and label the coats. We put a paper in the pocket of each coat saying the coats come from lodges in District 25.”

Jack has become more “savvy” about shopping for coats over the years. The more he buys, the more rewards coupons and discounts he receives, enabling him to buy additional coats, which are sorely needed.

“Meadville is located just south of Erie, right in the snow belt,” he said. “We know winter.”

District 25 held a fundraiser last year exclusively for the coat program. The event, open to the public, included free breakfast with a donation of a coat or cash. Twenty-one coats were donated that day, and $515 was raised in three hours.

Jack began the coat program to promote Freemasonry, specifically the lodges in District 25. He has been a Mason for 30 years and is Secretary of his lodge. He recruited Brother Steven Folmar, Junior Warden, Lodge No. 408, Meadville, to assist him with the program a year ago. Steve works as a behavioral therapist and has connected Jack to additional children in need from local schools.

“Programs like this are why I became a Mason – to be a positive influence in the community,” Steve said. “To see how happy these kids are makes it all worth it. What’s neat about the program is that people see what you’re doing and want to know why you’re doing it, which leads to another opportunity to talk about Freemasonry. We are out there volunteering and helping people.”

Once all the coats were distributed, Jack posted a flier to Facebook, thanking everyone from District 25 for their efforts. He also encouraged them to share news about the program with friends and family for the following year.

“This year, we got a donation from a Mason from South Carolina,” he said. “I also get some donations from lodges outside our district. People are very generous. Without them, I couldn’t do the program. I want to help parents who might not otherwise be able to afford a nice winter coat.”

When he’s not leading the coat drive, Jack leads mission trips with his church, and he and Cindy have been involved with youth programs for almost 30 years.

“It’s just something that we enjoy doing, helping people in the community,” he said.

Cindy leads a team of volunteers who cook meals for fostered and adopted children. She and Jack have two daughters, one of whom has four adopted children and two foster children.

“[This program] gives parents one day a week where they don’t have to cook or think about cooking, since they sometimes have a lot on their plates,” Jack said.

Whether keeping kids warm, spiritually aligned or their bellies fed, Brother Jack exemplifies care, compassion and charity.