Lien Forward Ohio selling Youngstown gloves

The company’s founders have no ties to Youngstown, but they liked the name.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

YOUNGSTOWN — At Lien Forward Ohio, work gloves are a symbol, representing both Youngstown’s blue-collar past and present efforts to rebuild and revitalize the community.

Lien Forward Ohio Community Foundation has begun a fundraiser selling work gloves. These aren’t just any gloves; the foundation is now a vendor of Youngstown Glove Co. products, a California-based company that took the city’s name out of respect for its manufacturing history and work ethic.

Lien Forward Ohio Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports the work and mission of Lien Forward Ohio Regional Council of Governments.

Lien Forward Ohio was created to make vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent land productive again.

The Lien Forward staff came across Youngstown Glove Co.’s Web site several months ago and inquired about the name.

Max Hackett, director of sales, had this to say: “Yes, we were inspired by Youngstown, Ohio. We wanted a name that to us represents hard work, toughness, America and Midwestern values.

“I am one of the founders with a few other guys. None of us have ties to Youngstown. We kicked around a number of names and knew we wanted to be named after a city. We liked the name Youngstown, Ohio. Then we did a lot of research on your town and we were very impressed.

“We loved the building history and the steel which went on to build our railroads and sky-rise buildings. It truly came across as the backbone of America.”

Lien Forward Ohio Community Foundation chose seven of Youngstown Glove’s most versatile products for this fundraiser.

The foundation is selling women’s garden gloves in two colors; tradesman plus gloves for landscaping and home improvement projects; mechanics plus gloves for auto repair and driving; general utility plus gloves for construction work and more; camo waterproof winter plus gloves for snow and ice removal, hunting, and winter recreation; cold weather XT for work in cold, dry conditions; and waterproof winter plus, which are also windproof.

Gloves come in various sizes, and prices range from $12 to $35 a pair, which includes sales tax.

Gloves are available for immediate purchase at Lien Forward Ohio on the mezzanine level of 20 Federal Place Building, downtown Youngstown, next to Chase Bank. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. weekdays.

The foundation also will take orders for other glove styles or large quantities. For more information call (330) 259-1040 or visit www.lienforwardohio.org.