FOR RELEASE: March 17, 2017
CONTACT: Erin VanSickle: evansickle@volunteerflorida.org
 

TALLAHASSEE — Volunteer Florida and Uber today announced that the second annual #SuitsForSession service project at the Capitol collected 3,282 donations of professional attire for job-seekers statewide. In addition to collecting items at the Capitol, Uber drivers picked up items across Leon County for free on Wednesday.

Highlights include:

  • Total items: 3,282
  • Number of suits collected: 195
  • Number of women’s items collected: 2,072
  • Number of men’s items collected: 1,013
  • Other items (shoes, belts, etc.) collected: 197
  • Number of bags of clothing donated through the Uber app: 75
  • Number of participating organizations which collected clothing: 34

Volunteer Florida CEO Chester Spellman said, “Volunteer Florida is thrilled by the volume and quality of the donations we received through #SuitsForSession. Florida leaders including Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson, Department of Corrections Secretary Julie Jones, Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Christina Daly, Department of Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, Department of Economic Opportunity Director Cissy Proctor, Surgeon General and Department of Health Secretary Celeste Philip, M.D., members of the Legislature, staff, and the private sector stopped by the #SuitsForSession display throughout the day to donate their items. The people of Tallahassee matched these donations by bringing and sending in their own business apparel. We are grateful for our partnership with Uber, which made it possible for so many people to give.”

Uber Florida General Manager, Miami/Fort Lauderdale Kasra Moshkani said, “Wednesday’s second annual #SuitsForSession Capitol service project was a tremendous success, and we are proud to have played a role in making the donation of items easy and convenient for Uber users. We are thankful for the generosity of those in Leon County, who came together to collect thousands of items

Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson said, “It was an honor to sponsor #SuitsForSession 2017. I had a chance to visit the #SuitsForSession display at the Capitol and the amount of donations was remarkable! I am proud of those who came together to provide donations for job-seekers statewide.”

Dress For Success Tampa Executive Director Katie McGill said, “Dress for Success Tampa is honored to have been a recipient of the second annual #SuitsForSession. Our organization empowers economically-disadvantaged women by helping them to attain and retain employment. #SuitsForSession donations will help many of these women lead successful careers.”

Florida State University Unconquered Scholars Program Director Lisa Jackson said, “At Florida State University, we are dedicated to helping all students find success and achieve their goals. We were thrilled to participate in the #SuitsForSession service project, and we are grateful that our Unconquered Scholars Program students will benefit from the generosity of so many in Tallahassee.”

Executive Director of ECHO Outreach Ministries Freddy Branham said, “ECHO Ministries is honored to participate in #SuitsForSession, and we are thrilled that #SuitsForSession donations will help local families on their way to self-sufficiency.”

Bridges International’s Director of Legislative Affairs Christian Minor said, “Our program allows inmates nearing the completion of their sentence to acquire gainful employment within the community. #SuitsForSession donations will encourage our recipients to re-enter the workforce with confidence and we are so grateful to be a recipient organization.”

Chapman Partnership President & CEO H. Daniel Vincent said, “At the Chapman Partnership, we have seen first-hand how lives can be changed by helping to increase the self-esteem and confidence of those entering or reentering the workforce. Thank you Volunteer Florida and Uber for organizing this meritorious event.”

Donated items will be delivered to Chapman Partnership in Miami, Dress for Success Tampa Bay, ECHO Outreach Ministries in Tallahassee, Bridges of America (statewide locations), and the Florida State University Unconquered Scholars program in Tallahassee throughout the coming days.

Those who visited the Capitol on March 15, signed in, and dropped off a donation for #SuitsForSession were entered into a contest to win a suit from Nic’s Toggery, a gift certificate from women’s clothing store Narcissus, and a custom sport coat from Arron’s Fine Custom Clothing. Winners will be announced soon! Nic’s Toggery also provided a $100 credit toward a new suit for each individual who brought in a donation of men’s clothing to its downtown location.

Click here to see photos and a list of participating agencies, organizations, partners, and individuals.