WEST BLOOMFIELD- For the 20th consecutive year, Tapper's Diamonds & Fine Jewelry will collect and distribute hundreds and perhaps thousands of winter coats and other cold weather gear for Michigan residents in need. Last year, the family-owned jewelry store collected 2,000 coats and other cold weather clothing items.
This year through Nov. 18, the community can donate gently-used, clean coats and new blankets, hats, scarves and gloves, or cash donations in any amount to any Tapper's Diamonds & Fine Jewelry location, as well as at any of the Tapper's Gold Exchange locations.
Cash donations of $20 or more are encouraged to mark the 20th year of the coat drive. Money that is collected will be used to purchase coats at a discounted bulk rate. Checks are also accepted and should be made payable to "Tapper's Coat Drive."
Howard Tapper, owner and president of Tapper's, acknowledges that the need is great in Michigan and points to Tapper's commitment to community involvement as a way that businesses can make a difference in the lives of their fellow citizens. "We can never know the full impact we can make on a child now able to walk to and from school without the bitter wind blowing through their clothing," Tapper emphasizes. "It's important to realize that even a small donation can really change someone else's reality."
Collected coats are distributed to agencies, schools and individuals, and the need has grown each year. Tapper's often receives calls from school teachers or principals who have identified a need within their schools and have heard about Tapper's Coat Drive. Coats are distributed to many organizations, including Orchards Children's Services, Detroit Public Schools, Baldwin Church Center, Grace Centers for Hope, Kids Kicking Cancer and Mercy Primary Care Center.
Tapper's Diamonds & Fine Jewelry has three locations: Orchard Mall in West Bloomfield, Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi and Somerset Collection in Troy.
Tapper's Gold Exchange locations can be found at Twelve Oaks Mall, Fairlane Town Center, Oakland Mall, Partridge Creek, Great Lakes Crossing, Lauren Park Place, Lakeside Mall, Birchwood Mall, Bay City Mall, and the West Grange Pharmacy in Trenton.
Local Jeweler collects coats
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