Winter in New England and the Midwest brings moments we all recognize with fresh snow, quiet mornings, and families bundling up as they head outdoors. But for many households, winter also brings a challenge that’s easy to overlook: staying warm without reliable winter clothing. This is where ohDEER community support becomes especially meaningful.
At ohDEER, community support has always been woven into the way we show up. Our work focuses on creating safer outdoor spaces, and caring for our neighbors extends far beyond our services. That is why the ohDEER Coat Drive has grown into one of our most meaningful annual traditions, built not just by our teams, but by the generosity of customers, partners, and local organizations. Through ohDEER community support, this effort continues to expand each year, making a real difference for those who need it most.
In 2025, communities across Massachusetts and Ohio came together to donate more than 2,300 winter coats. These coats are already helping children get to school more comfortably, giving seniors added protection from the cold, and offering warmth to families navigating tough seasons.
This year’s effort was our biggest yet, and it reminded us how powerful local compassion can be.
The idea for the Coat Drive began just two years ago with the ohDEER South Shore & Cape Cod team. Their goal was simple: find a way to support neighbors through the hardest part of the year.
“In 2023, our ops team wanted to do more for the community we serve,” said owner Dave Mulcahy. “Enjoying More Time Outside is our tagline, so it only felt natural that we help people enjoy the outdoors year-round, even when the weather makes it difficult. None of this happens without the support of the caring communities we’re a part of.”
What started as a local pilot turned into a region-wide movement, embraced by franchise owners, technicians, and customers who understood how something as simple as a warm coat can change someone’s winter.
This year, the original South Shore & Cape Cod effort resulted in 1,750 coats, showing just how strongly the tradition has taken hold.
Every ohDEER location approached the Coat Drive in its own way through porch pickups, in-shop drop-off days, donation boxes at partner businesses, and outreach through local schools and customer groups. Together, these efforts added up to an extraordinary impact:
The total exceeded every previous year and demonstrated the deep generosity of the communities we serve.
Behind every coat donated is a story, families wanting to help, neighbors wanting to give back, and communities finding new ways to support one another. These stories are what make the Coat Drive so special.
“Participating in the coat drive reminds us that community isn’t just where we live or work—it’s how we show up for one another,” said John Avino, General Manager of ohDEER Metro West & Nashoba Valley.
One of the most touching themes from this location came from families who involved their children in the donation process. For many families, it became a small but meaningful lesson in empathy. Customers left their coats on porches or handed them directly to technicians during service visits. Every donation came with a story or a smile.
With 170 coats collected, the ohDEER North Shore continued a tradition of steady support. Many coats went directly to shelters and resource networks that help local families in need.
As a brand-new territory, Northwest Columbus didn’t yet have a large customer base, so they brought the Coat Drive into the heart of their business community. They partnered with coworking spaces, banks, salons, and neighborhood hubs to host donation boxes. One local bank even asked if they could remain a collection site year after year.
“We got more out of this Coat Drive than I expected,” said Jeri Lucco, co-owner. “It helped introduce us to our community. Even people who didn’t have coats to give reached out just to say thank you.”
The Ohio team collected 143 coats, and their list of partner businesses is already growing for 2026.
The Coat Drive has become a beloved initiative across the entire ohDEER network.
“ohDEER’s 2nd Annual Coat Drive was an incredible success,” said ohDEER Co-Founder Colleen Upham. “We’re proud to help families stay warm so they can enjoy more time outside, no matter the season.”
General Manager Zach Sarro of South Shore & Cape Cod shared his perspective: “It’s inspiring to see franchisees across the network adopt this initiative in such meaningful ways. Watching this idea grow from a local thought to a multi-state campaign shows how deeply our community values run.”
Franchise Marketing Coordinator Leah Pinkes added, “My favorite part is seeing how many different people play a role…customers, technicians, franchisees, and our development team behind the scenes. Every year, the participation grows because the heart behind it grows.”
ohDEER Co-Founder Kurt Upham summed it up simply: “A warm coat can make all the difference during a New England winter.”
Thanks to your donations, coats are already being distributed to organizations across Massachusetts and Ohio, including:
These coats aren’t sitting in storage, they’re being worn by real people in local communities who need them most.
The 2025 drive set a new benchmark, and planning for 2026 is already underway, driven by growing ohDEER community support, with hopes of:
Each year, the Coat Drive becomes more collaborative, more meaningful, and more reflective of the communities we serve.
To everyone who donated a coat, shared a post, dropped off a bag on the porch, or simply helped spread the word…thank you. Your kindness is the foundation of ohDEER community support.
To the technicians who picked up donations along their routes, organized deliveries, and helped load cars and trucks…thank you.
To the local businesses that opened their doors as collection partners…thank you.
Your generosity helped families stay warm this winter, and the impact will be felt long after the season ends. Together, we help families enjoy more time outside all year long, strengthened by ongoing ohDEER community support.
