Together We Gave Back

Highlights From Tapper’s 34th Annual Coat Drive

As the weather turned cold this season, our community once again opened its hearts. Tapper’s 34th Annual Share the Warmth Coat Drive has officially wrapped, and we are incredibly grateful for the generosity shown across Metro Detroit. This year marked our most successful coat drive to date. We set our most ambitious goal yet, building on the momentum of past years, and while there is always more work to be done, the outpouring of support from our community exceeded anything we’ve experienced before. Every contribution helped provide warmth, comfort, and dignity to families in need, and reinforced the strength of this long-standing tradition.

A Legacy of Giving Back

Howard began the coat drive out of a deep desire to support the community that had supported him for so many years. “People really gave us a break by coming in and exploring our store,” he shared. “Many of them became wonderful clients for many years. I wanted to give back.” The idea for the coat drive came after reading about a similar initiative in another state. Howard thought, “Let me try that.” From the first year, the response was overwhelmingly positive, and the drive has only grown since.
Each year, the drive evolves, not just in size but in the quality of coats collected. Howard explained, “We’ve improved the quality of the coats. We’ve improved even where we’re getting the coats from. Even the coats that don’t meet our standard, we have a source that could use them.” For Tapper’s, it’s not just about donating—it’s about providing dignity through warmth.
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How the Drive Works


The coat drive is a community-wide effort that taps into schools, organizations, and everyday people. Howard described the process: “We advertise to different organizations, customers, and people we know, asking for monetary donations. 100% of the money we collect is spent on buying new coats or additional items.” But it’s not just about buying coats—there’s also a huge effort in gathering gently used coats. Collection boxes are placed across Tapper’s stores and various community locations.

What makes this drive special is the thoughtfulness behind it. Howard explained how they cater to specific needs: “Sometimes people need extra-large coats, and those are hard to find even new. We buy those brand new, and people are very appreciative.”

What makes this drive special is the thoughtfulness behind it. Howard explained how they cater to specific needs: “Sometimes people need extra-large coats, and those are hard to find even new. We buy those brand new, and people are very appreciative.”

Touching Lives, One Coat at a Time

Over the years, Tapper’s has distributed coats to countless individuals through partnerships with dozens of local organizations. This year, that impact was made possible in part thanks to the generosity of community partners like Temple Shir Shalom, West Bloomfield Public Schools, and Temple Beth Am, who helped extend the reach of the drive even further. As Howard shared, the goal is to connect with as many organizations as possible each year. Each coat makes a meaningful difference, especially for the children who receive them. “You cannot believe how thankful these children are, particularly those who have never had a brand-new winter jacket,” Howard said, reflecting on the many heartfelt letters he’s received over the years.
One of the most touching aspects of the drive is hearing the stories from people like Debbie, a woman who volunteers her time to distribute coats on the streets and in shelters. Howard beamed as he shared, “It’s wonderful to hear the stories she tells me about how appreciative people are.”
A Community Effort that Made an Impact

Every donation made this season represents more than a coat; it represents warmth, dignity, and comfort for individuals and families facing Michigan winters without the essentials. Your generosity helps provide coats, hats, gloves, and other cold-weather necessities to those who need them most. This year, we are especially grateful to Dublin Cleaners & Laundry for partnering with us to professionally clean donated coats, ensuring each item was ready to be worn and shared with care.

Every contribution, big or small, makes an impact. When a community comes together, meaningful progress happens, step by step, year after year. We are deeply thankful to everyone who donated, shared the campaign, encouraged a friend to give, or helped spread the word. You are the reason this tradition continues to grow and endure.

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Thank You for Sharing the Warmth

For 34 years, Tapper’s coat drive has been more than just a charity—it’s been a lifeline for people in need. Howard Tapper’s commitment to giving back to the community has warmed hearts and bodies alike. “One of the most important core values of our business is giving back to the community,” Howard said, reflecting on the lasting impact of the coat drive. “I feel so blessed we’ve been able to do this.”
From our Tapper’s family to yours: thank you. Thank you for giving generously. Thank you for showing up for our neighbors. Thank you for helping us create warmth where it’s needed most. The coat drive may be over for this season, but our commitment to giving back never ends. We look forward to continuing this tradition with you, and reaching even more families, in the years to come.