Volunteer Florida and Uber today announced that the third annual #SuitsForSession service project at the capitol collected 3,540 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 this past Tuesday.
Highlights include:
- Total items: 3,540
- Number of suits collected: 373 (237 women’s, 136 men’s)
- Number of women’s items collected: 2,270
- Number of men’s items collected: 743
- Other items (shoes, belts, etc.) collected: 527
- Number of bags of clothing donated through the Uber app: 27
- Number of participating organizations which collected clothing: 26
Florida leaders including Lieutenant Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson, General Michael Calhoun of the Department of Military Affairs, Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Christine Daly, Surgeon General Celeste Philip, M.D., Department of Management Services Secretary Erin Rock, Secretary of Elder Affairs Jeffrey Bragg, Commissioner of the Office of Insurance Regulation David Altmaier, Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Jonathan Zachem, Secretary of the Lottery Jim Poppel, Department of Revenue Director Leon Biegalski, VISIT FLORIDA CEO, along with legislative staff and members of the private sector, stopped by the #SuitsForSession display throughout the day to donate their items.
Volunteer Florida CEO Vivian Myrtetus said, “Volunteer Florida is happy to co-sponsor this wonderful event again this year. #SuitsForSession is a great and convenient way for all those involved in the legislative process and to give back. The people of Tallahassee matched these donations by bringing and sending in their own business apparel. Uber has been a tremendous partner to Volunteer Florida and we are so thankful for their participation in another successful year of #SuitsForSession.”
Uber Florida General Manager Kasra Moshkani said, “Tuesday’s third 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 for the local community.”
Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson said, “It was great participating in another #SuitsForSession clothing drive. My staff and I are always proud to support this service project that helps job seekers throughout our state.”
Florida State University Unconquered Scholars Program Director Lisa Jacksonsaid, “The purpose of the Unconquered Scholars program is to lift up and support our youth who need it most so we are delighted to be a recipient of the #SuitsForSession campaign and extremely grateful for the generosity of so many in our community.”
Dress for Success Tampa Bay Executive Director Katie McGill said, “We are so grateful to everyone who worked together to make this event such a success. Dress for Success is delighted to be able to distribute so many items of professional attire to our job seekers. The clothing gives them a critical boost of confidence as they enter the workforce.”
Chapman Partnership President and CEO H. Daniel Vincent said, “For residents at Chapman Partnership, self-esteem is an essential component to empowering our homeless. Daily we see how lives are changed by helping to augment the outward appearance of our residents, coupled with hard and soft employment skills that give them the confidence needed to re-enter the workforce. Thank you Volunteer Florida and Uber for once again organizing this meritorious event.”
ECHO Outreach Ministries Executive Director Freddy Branham said, “ECHO is honored to participate in #SuitsForSession for a second consecutive year. These donations are an invaluable resource for our clients who are working or seeking employment as a path to lift themselves out of poverty.”
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.
