Bend Winter Drive Collects Coats and Blankets

Local businesses hosting drop-off sites can extend a brokerage's annual donation campaign through December 18, 2026.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Philanthropy

Wooden crate of folded blankets and knit coats beside a brick storefront with pine trees and snowy hills in the background. — Windermere Real Estate's Share the Warmth drive collects coats and blankets at five Bend drop-off sites through December 18 for Bethlehem Inn and Central Oregon Veterans Outreach. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you donate winter clothing or blankets to help neighbors in need this year?

Windermere Real Estate's annual Share the Warmth winter donation drive is underway in Bend, collecting cold-weather clothing and blankets from November 2 through December 18, 2026. Donations go to Bethlehem Inn and Central Oregon Veterans Outreach, and the drive is open at five Bend drop-off sites.

Why it matters

Seasonal drives like this one are a recurring way local businesses build community visibility while meeting a concentrated winter need. For operators, the model shows how a brokerage can tie a branded campaign to partner locations such as gyms, grocers, and title companies that extend reach without added staffing.

The drive runs about six weeks, from November 2 to December 18, 2026, and uses five Bend drop-off sites. Collected items include coats, hats, gloves, boots, wool socks, long underwear, blankets, and hand warmers. No donation totals or prior-year comparisons were reported.

The players

Windermere Real Estate

Windermere Real Estate is a large residential brokerage network whose local offices run community programs alongside their real estate operations.

Bethlehem Inn

Bethlehem Inn is a Bend-area homeless shelter and housing service that serves people in need across Central Oregon.

Central Oregon Veterans Outreach

Central Oregon Veterans Outreach is a regional nonprofit that provides support services to veterans in the Central Oregon area.

The details

Community members drop off clothing and cold-weather supplies at participating Bend locations, including Windermere's Bend Office at 807 SW Industrial Way, Athletic Club of Bend, Market of Choice, Western Title & Escrow Company, and Widgi Creek Pickleball Club. The Windermere Bend office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for drop-offs. Donations are routed to Bethlehem Inn and Central Oregon Veterans Outreach, two regional organizations serving people who need winter protection.

November 2, 2026: Share the Warmth collection begins.
December 18, 2026: Share the Warmth collection ends.

Market Landscape

Annual branded donation drives like Share the Warmth position a brokerage as a visible community presence during a season when local nonprofits see heightened demand. The campaign is a recurring program rather than a one-time event, which keeps Windermere's Bend offices embedded in local philanthropy calendars.

Local businesses considering seasonal drives should weigh how partner sites such as gyms, grocers, and title offices can extend reach at low cost. Operators in similar markets can treat recurring campaigns like this one as a predictable line item in their community and marketing planning.

The takeaway

A recurring, partner-supported donation drive gives a local business a repeatable community touchpoint that can be planned on a fixed annual calendar. Operators interested in similar programs can ask partner businesses to host drop-off points, which spreads collection effort without expanding headcount.