Philips Employees Put the ‘Success’ in its Dress For Success Clothing Drive this Fall

Employees from Philips Andover, Framingham and Burlington locations joined together to make its 2nd Annual Dress for Success Clothing Drive a real victory for low-income women in Boston’s local community . Throughout the course of a two-week period, Philips employees rallied together to donate a total of 1,370 professional clothing items to Dress for Success, one of Boston’s leading non-profit organizations dedicated to promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools.  The 2012 collection nearly doubled from the 2011 drive.

More than 50+ volunteers gave up their lunch times, early morning office time or after-work hours to oversee collection locations, sort donated apparel,  and drop off the clothing at Dress For Success’s headquarters.  Employees from around the state were inspired to donate and make a difference. One person commented on how excited she was to give away a nearly new pair of shoes that she had just bought. Another employee got his wife to clean out her closet—providing several pieces from suits to handbags.

The Philips donations are already improving lives within our local communities. Kim Todd, Executive Director for Dress For Success, said that the Philips donation helped a client who came to DFS for an interview suit. The DFS staff found a beautiful black pantsuit for her, which made her look fantastic and professional.  When she left with her bag of new clothing and accessories, she was happy, confident and demonstrated a noticeable change in the way she carried herself.  She said, “You have changed my life today.  I am so grateful to all of you for your help and support!” She then gave the DFS staff a big hug.