February 6, 2007

Help Others Get a Snazzy Work Wardrobe

By Lisa Pemberton, The Olympian, Olympia, Wash.

Feb. 6--Capital Clubhouse has begun accepting donations for its new community clothing bank, The Wardrobe.

The program is designed to provide professional-style clothing and accessories to South Sound men and women who are rebuilding their lives through work and school.

It was started about a month ago with a large donation of women's clothing and accessories from the YWCA of Olympia's Kathleen's Closet, which shut down because it was unable to store increasing donations and Capital Clubhouse could. Organizers of The Wardrobe plan to expand the YWCA's longtime community program by offering men's items as well, according to Capital Clubhouse director Sue Allen.

The Wardrobe, at 618 Seventh Ave. S.E., Olympia, is open by appointment only from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Donations of clean, gently used men's and women's clothing and accessories can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

People are asked not to bring items with tears or stains, and to limit their donation to three large bags of clothing.

Here are the types of items that the program needs:

n Professional-style clothing, especially men's clothing and plus-size women's clothing;

n T ies, belts and other men's accessories

n Scarves, handbags and other women's acces sories

n Jewelry

n Backpacks

n Shoes

n Socks

n Nail polish and unused cosmetics

n Cash donations, gift cards or vouchers for new underwear

Although Capital Clubhouse is a vocational and support program for people with mental illnesses, The Wardrobe is open to the entire community by referral and appointment.

"We are absolutely true believers that if you feel that you need it, then we believe you need it," Allen said.

For more information, call Capital Clubhouse at 360-357-2582.

Share creative ideas for reducing, reusing or recycling with Lisa Pemberton at 360- 704-6871 or [email protected] ONLINE: For more about Capital Clubhouse, go to www.capitalclubhouse.org.

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Olympian, Olympia, Wash.

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