Share the warmth

Tapper’s 35th Annual Coat Drive

For 35 years, Tapper’s has been proud to partner with the Metro Detroit community to bring warmth, comfort, and dignity to those in need. What began as a small local effort has grown into one of our most meaningful traditions: the Share the Warmth Coat Drive.
The idea began with our founder, Howard Tapper, who was inspired after seeing a story about a coat drive taking place in another state. He wanted to bring that same spirit of giving to our own community. From that first year, the response has continued to grow. “From the very first year, we had success,” Howard shared. “We’ve tried to increase the number of coats every year because the need does not go down. It’s constantly going up.”
For Howard, the Coat Drive has always been about more than providing a winter coat. It is about helping people feel cared for and giving children and families something they may otherwise go without. “Some children have never had a brand-new winter jacket,” Howard reflected. “When they receive one, their gratitude is overwhelming. Unless you’ve been there, you cannot imagine what some people go through.”
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35 Years of Sharing the Warmth

Over the past 35 years, the generosity of our customers, employees, business partners, and community members has helped provide thousands of coats and cold-weather essentials to children, families, and individuals throughout Metro Detroit. Each year, we are reminded just how meaningful a simple winter coat can be. The thank-you notes, personal stories, and messages we receive from the organizations we support reinforce why this tradition remains so important to Tapper’s.
Giving back has always been a core part of who we are. As Howard has said, “One of the most important core values of our business is giving back to the community because supporting those people and our total community who have supported us is so important.”
That commitment continues with the 35th Annual Share the Warmth Coat Drive.
Howard Tapper Collecting Coats for Tapper's Annual Coat Drive
How You Can Help

The 35th Annual Share the Warmth Coat Drive is officially underway! Through the end of November, Tapper’s will be collecting:

+ Gently worn winter coats and jackets
+ Gloves, hats, scarves, and boots
+ Cash donations, which go toward purchasing new winter coats

Donations can be dropped off at any Tapper’s location or made online through the Donate Now link below.

Whether you donate a coat your family has outgrown, purchase a new winter jacket, or make a financial contribution, every donation helps us reach someone who needs a little extra warmth this winter.

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Our 35th Annual Goal

After 35 years, the need remains as strong as ever. As Howard has reminded us, even a single donation can make a difference:

“Even if you have one good jacket, one good jacket will help someone.”

For our 35th Annual Coat Drive, our goal is to continue growing this tradition and reach even more children, families, and individuals throughout Metro Detroit.

Every coat matters. Every donation matters. And every person who chooses to participate helps us continue a tradition that has been warming our community for 35 years.

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Together, We Can Share the Warmth

What started as one person’s desire to give back has grown into a community tradition spanning three and a half decades. As we celebrate the 35th Annual Share the Warmth Coat Drive, we invite you to be part of it.
Donate a gently worn coat. Give toward a new winter jacket. Encourage your workplace, school, place of worship, or community organization to participate. However you choose to help, your generosity can bring warmth and comfort to someone in need.
For 35 years, Metro Detroit has helped us Share the Warmth. Together, we can keep the tradition going.
2026 Annual Coat Drive