FOR RELEASE: February 12, 2018
CONTACT: Brittni Johnsen: brittni@volunteerflorida.org

Tallahassee — Volunteer Florida and Uber today announced the third annual #SuitsForSession service project on Tuesday, February 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the plaza level of the Florida State Capitol. The project will once again engage members of the Legislature, local nonprofits, the private sector, state employees, and other partners in service to collect gently worn professional attire at the Capitol on February 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. More than 3,200 donations of professional attire for job-seekers were collected during last year’s project.

For Leon County residents and visitors who are unable to bring items in person to the Capitol, donors can open the Uber app between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and select the GIVE option at the bottom of the screen to have their items picked up and delivered to Volunteer Florida for free by an Uber driver.

The items will be donated to the Chapman Partnership in Miami, Dress for Success Tampa Bay, ECHO Outreach Ministries in Tallahassee, Bridges of America in Orlando, and the Florida State University Unconquered Scholars program.

Volunteer Florida CEO Vivian Myrtetus said, “Volunteer Florida is thrilled to be hosting #SuitsForSession again this year. This Capitol service project has a statewide impact and it will connect job-seekers with the resources they need for economic and career success. We are proud to again partner with Uber to make this happen.”

“At Uber, we strive to stay connected with our communities,” said Kasra Moshkani, General Manager, Uber in Florida. “We are excited once again to partner with this year’s Capitol service project to make donating easy and convenient for Uber users.”

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said, “#SuitsForSession is an opportunity to connect people with the resources needed to make a good first impression and to empower them on their path to take charge of their economic future.”

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “I am proud to support #SuitsForSession—a great campaign helping those who want to join the workforce.”

Florida Senate President Joe Negron said, “Finding affordable and appropriate attire for the workplace can be overwhelming for someone who is just starting out, in the midst of a career transition, or returning to the workforce. We want to make sure that job-seekers have the resources they need to feel confident in both job interviews and in a new work environment. I appreciate Volunteer Florida’s commitment to helping job-seekers, and I am pleased to support this effort at the Capitol.”

Speaker of the Florida House Richard Corcoran said, “I am proud to support the #SuitsForSession service project and greatly appreciate the efforts of Volunteer Florida and partners to provide professional clothes for those seeking to better their futures.”

Volunteer Florida and Uber will accept the following gently worn clothing items for men and women:

  • Blazers/jackets
  • Full suits
  • Blouses/shirts
  • Dresses/skirts
  • Pants/trousers
  • Shoes
  • Ties
  • Handbags

Volunteer Florida placed collection boxes at participating state agencies this week. Participating agencies are listed here.

Additional details:

  • All clothing must be bagged for Uber drivers to accept donations.
  • Drivers will arrive at requested pick-up locations. Donors are responsible for bringing bags outside, as drivers cannot leave their vehicles unattended.
  • The promotion is available in Leon County.
  • Volunteer Florida will not receive any rider information from Uber. If donors wish to receive tax information for their donation, Volunteer Florida and Uber will provide an opt-in option to receive a receipt.

###

About Volunteer Florida 

Volunteer Florida is the state’s lead agency for national service and volunteerism, administering over $32 million in federal, state, and local funding for national service and volunteer programs in Florida. Volunteer Florida connects individuals, families, and businesses with opportunities to serve their communities, including administering AmeriCorps programs across the state. Additionally, Volunteer Florida serves as Florida’s lead agency for volunteers and donations before, during, and after disasters, most recently deploying volunteers and funding following the Pulse Nightclub shooting and Hurricanes Hermine, Matthew, Irma, and Maria. Volunteer Florida administers the Florida Disaster Fund, Florida’s official private fund for disaster response and recovery. To date, Volunteer Florida has raised more than $16 million for Hurricane Irma survivors. Learn more at volunteerflorida.org.

About Uber

Uber is evolving the way Florida moves. By seamlessly connecting riders to drivers through our apps, we make communities more accessible, opening up more possibilities for riders and more business for drivers.