What to keep, what to send
Keep: one warm coat, one pair of boots, a couple of sweaters, gloves, and a scarf. That covers visits north.
Send to us: the other coats. Wool and cashmere, fur and shearling, designer parkas, leather, good boots, and cashmere knitwear.
Everyday winter gear: fleece, basic parkas, and worn boots are better at a local coat drive or thrift store before you go.
Don't let a cashmere coat get sold by the pound
Most donated clothing ends up sorted, baled, and sold by the pound, and the scale doesn't know the difference between a cashmere coat and a worn-out T-shirt. That's fine for everyday clothes. It isn't fine for a wool or cashmere coat, a fur, or the boots that got you through twenty Midwest winters.
We do it differently. We take the pieces that deserve better, one at a time. Each one is listed by name on your receipt, cared for, and put back to work being worn: lent to someone heading into a job interview, to an honoree on their big night, or rented for a charity event. We try to preserve the integrity of the clothes and of the people who wore them.
Start your donation
Tell us what you have and your moving date. We reply within 24 hours with prepaid labels.
What we take, and what we don't
Yes, please
Wool and cashmere coats, fur and shearling, designer parkas and outerwear, leather jackets, cashmere knitwear, and quality winter boots.
Please take these elsewhere
Everyday basics, fast fashion, and anything stained, torn, or worn thin. A local thrift store is the right home for those, and we'd rather say so up front than take clothes we can't use.
Why Milwaukee
We're a Milwaukee nonprofit, and winter here runs from November into April. A good coat is one of the things people most need for a job interview or an evening out in January, and one of the hardest to borrow. Coats you send are lent to job seekers and honorees or rented for winter events, with net profits going to the charities on our Honor Roll.
Questions people ask
Should I keep a winter coat if I'm moving south?
Keep one good coat, one pair of boots, and a few warm layers for trips north and the occasional cold snap. The rest is weight you'd be paying to move.
Do you accept fur and shearling?
Yes. Fur, shearling, and vintage fur coats in good condition are welcome. See our fur coat donation guide for what to know first.
How far ahead should I start?
Two to three weeks before the movers. That leaves time for us to send prepaid labels and for you to ship before the packing starts.
Is it tax-deductible?
Yes. We're a 501(c)(3) and send an itemized receipt. Coats and furs can be some of the most valuable items in a donation.