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Generous Donors...Committed Volunteers...Communities in Action
Partners in providing Brand New Clothes for a Brand New Life
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Welcome,
once again, to threads, the quarterly newsletter from Dignity U Wear. The response to the latest addition to the Dignity U Wear family has been very positive and we're so grateful for your thoughts and photos! Please keep `em coming!
Brand New Clothes For A Brand New Life has taken on new meaning as our mission to restore dignity, self-esteem and self-confidence to men, women and children in need has touched an incredible 290,000 individuals! In just over seven years, we've been able to provide more than 3,200,000 pieces of brand new clothing valued at $50 million...but to the recipients, the value is priceless. Our most recent partnership, with the 3500 strong Boys & Girls Clubs of America, will extend our reach further into communities in all 50 states.
In 2006, in Jacksonville alone, Dignity U Wear provided more than 20,000 men, women and children in need with clothing valued at $4.2 million through a network of 70 well-respected social service agencies as well as Duval County Public Schools. Your donations of volunteer hours, money and clothing allow us to do what we do best...help those in need. So, whether it's a few hours or all day, a few dollars or a few thousand, one piece of clothing or a truckload, please know how much we apppreciate you! We couldn't do it without you!
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Dignity AIXellence
Jacksonville's Summer Sizzled with a Cool Event
The 1st Annual Dignity AIXellence was a huge success with more than $25,000 raised during an afternoon of fine wine, great food and cool entertainment! "We knew we had a winning match-up with Bistro AIX...we're already planning next year's event", said Cindy Spence Sadler, Development and Communications Director. "It was a great crowd...we look forward to partnering again with Dignity U Wear", said Sarah Marie Johnston, Bistro AIX Marketing Director and partner.
The Jacksonville Chapter of the Links, a national service organization, offered it's support and Fidelity Investments was Title Sponsor. Other sponsors included Zurich Insurance Services, Easy-Edit Video and The Design Lounge. Martha Barrett, Vice President of Community Relations for Bank of America and a Duval County School Board member served as Honorary Chairwoman (pictured above with Teala Milton, right).
 Pictured Left: Cyndi Nunn, Richard Nunn,
Kim Parker, Cindy Spence Sadler
Pictured Right:
Vocalist Ace Winn
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| Partner Agency Spotlight
LEA'S PLACE - A Program Where Children Come First
Lea's Place, a Jacksonville non-profit founded in 1991, is a volunteer program that assists the Department of Children and Families with children that have been removed from abusive/neglected situations or that have been abandoned. Volunteers at Lea's Place provide all children - infants through teens - with individual care in order to ease their transition into the foster care system if a suitable relative is not available. Children stay at Lea's Place an average of four to six hours while placement is being arranged. The program is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Every child in need who comes to Lea's Place has the opportunity to pick out clothing.
Executive Director Kathy Suber (pictured above) shares that selecting new garments adds a sense of comfort and encouragement to a youngster who is in a very difficult and stressful time of life. New clothing also makes the adjustment to a school setting much easier for children. "On behalf of the thousands of children who have benefited from the outstanding Dignity U Wear program, the staff and volunteers of Lea's Place say THANK YOU!"
For questions and comments regarding our National Agency program, please contact:
Liz Minor
National Agencies Director
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Donate with Dignity
There are many ways you can help to support our mission!
Brand New Clothing, of course! New apparel donations for all climates are accepted year-round, whether one piece or a full truckload. At this time, however, we are especially in need of the following for adults and children:
Warm Sweaters
Winter Coats/ Outerwear
Pajamas
Socks
The link above, also available at www.DignityUWear.org, provides a safe, secure method to make on-line financial contributions to Dignity U Wear via PayPal. With a 3% efficiency, Charity Navigator states "Dignity U Wear outperforms the majority of nonprofits in America with respect to fiscal resonsibility".
Volunteers are needed in the following areas at our Distribution Center in Jacksonville, FL:
Processing/Sorting of Clothing
Clerical/ Adminstrative Support
IT Support
In-Kind services and products make our work possible. We are currently hoping for support in the areas of:
Server
Reach/ Forklift
Office Supplies/ Printing
Large Plastic Storage Bins
Warehouse Space with Dock
Softwear (Development and Inventory Management)
For more information, please contact:
Financial & In-Kind Support
Volunteer Opportunities
Cindy Spence Sadler
Development & Communications Director
csadler@dignityuwear.org | |
Donor Spotlight
The Apparel Industry Supports DUW
Dignity U Wear is honored to count Phillips-Van Huesen and Fishman & Tobin among our many generous product donors. These two well-respected organizations within the garment industry have both been long-time supporters of the Dignity U Wear mission.
Fishman & Tobin offers a long and prestigious history in the apparel industry. Manufacturers of fine children's apparel since 1914, Fishman & Tobin is a family owned business with operations worldwide. From the classic looks of Claiborne, to the modern fashions of Sean John and P. Miller, Fishman & Tobin has crafted and designed premier children's clothing for nearly a century. " Fishman & Tobin is very proud to be affiliated with Dignity U Wear. We are continually looking to increase our donations, sponsorships and fund raising events. Our goal is to assist in providing brand new clothing to those in need, even in this most challenging retail and economic climate. Fishman & Tobin believes in the Dignity U Wear mission", said Sheri Rosenfeld, Director of Licensing.
The Phillips-Van Heusen family, including such notable brand names as IZOD, Arrow, Bass Retail, Geoffrey Beene, and IZOD Women's Sportswear, has supported the Dignity U Wear mission for many years, in many ways. Not only do they contribute quality merchandise (shirts, shoes, socks, pants, etc.), for the second consecutive year they have partnered with Stein Mart stores across the country in fundraising efforts. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of selected IZOD Men's merchandise is donated to Dignity U Wear. Look for the Dignity U Wear/ IZOD hang tag in your neighborhood Stein Mart!
For more information regarding clothing donations, please contact:
Michelle Charron
Corporate Procurement Director
mcharron@dignityuwear.org |
Willing & Able
Recently, a series of storms heavily damaged the roof of the Dignity U Wear Distribution Center. Repairs were expensive and not planned for in the budget so public appeals were made and heard! Many thanks to APEX Home HealthCare for the incredibly generous, and timely, donation of $5000 towards the repairs. We were back in operation within a few days.
Our Volunteers are the lifeblood of Dignity U Wear! Recently, several members of the Defense Courier Station NAS Jax assisted for an afternoon of sorting and processing. If you would like to be part of the Dignity U Wear volunteer family, please contact us to schedule your group. Hats off to the Defense Courier Station Jacksonville!
Trivia and Memphis, TN...a winning combination! Recently, Stein Mart stores in Memphis joined together to host "Memphis Blues - Midsummer Night Clues", a trivia contest at Christian Brothers High School as a fundraiser for Dignity U Wear. More than 300 people answered trivia questions with skill, enjoyed food and drink with gusto, won fabulous door prizes and raised $9,000 for Dignity U Wear! Feeling smart and in the mood for fun? Host a trivia night in your community...ask us how!
Contact Cindy Sadler for more information
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| More"DIGNIFIED" News and Events
 It's almost time to 'Drop Your Drawers' for Dignity U Wear!Mark your calendars for February 1, 2008, the official kick-off for Undie Sunday/Undie Monday 2008! The 2007 community event collected 80,000+ pieces of brand new underwear for kids and teens! In just two campaigns, we've been able to cover more than 155,000 little bottoms! Community Connections, Youth Crisis Center and Fresh Ministries are just a few examples of the NorthEast Florida agencies that have been recipients of not only brand new undies but brand new clothing, as well, for their clients in need. Please contact us for 2008 sponsorship opportunities. Participation forms for individuals, groups, and businesses will be available via our web-site in December.
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Sunday, December 2, 6:30PM-9:00PM will find us kicking-off the Holiday Shopping season with an after-hours shopping extravaganza hosted by Stein Mart (#16) Roosevelt Mall in Jacksonville, FL to benefit Dignity U Wear. Tickets, $10.00 per person, will include exclusive shopping, mini-makeovers (Sephora, Mary Kay, etc.), appetizers, mini-massages, music, give-aways and more! Make your gift-giving stress free with available gift wrapping, by donation. Call (904) 636-9455 or e-mail csadler@dignityuwear.org for information or to purchase tickets!
An Artful Way to Support Dignity U Wear! R. Roberts Gallery will donate 10% of each sale to Dignity U Wear during the opening of a special exhibit in November. Please remember to mention Dignity U Wear when making a purchase!
Mackenzie Thorpe, A Crossroad
Mackenzie Thorpe returns to the R. Roberts Gallery on Friday, November 9th, with a new work and a new book, A Crossroads, featuring recent paintings, drawings and sculptures. The internationally acclaimed artist will attend the opening reception on Friday, November 9th, 6-9 PM, to sign books and offer his unique perspective on the world and how it impacts his work.
Historic Shoppes of Avondale
3606 St. John's Avenue
Jacksonville, FL 32205
What if Dignity U Wear earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Well, now we can! GoodSearch.com is a search engine that donates half its revenue to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it's powered by Yahoo!, so you get great results. Just go to Goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Dignity U Wear as the charity you want to support. Just 500 of us searching four times a day will raise about $7,300 in a year without anyone spending a dime!
Share with us your feedback, thoughts, photos, and news! Please contact Cindy Spence Sadler, Development and Communications Director, at csadler@dignityuwear.org. |
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 Administrative Offices/ Distribution Center136 North Myrtle Avenue
Jacksonville, FL 32204
Phone: (904) 636-9455
Toll Free: (888) 364-1305
Fax: (904) 636-8649
Receiving WEARhouse
1435 West Church Street, Suite #1
Jacksonville, FL 32204
ADVISORY BOARD
Walter Cronkite
Mike Fisher
Senator John Glenn
Jane Goodall
Henri Landwirth, Founder & Chairman Emeritus
T. Parker McCrary, Board President - CSX Intermodal, Jacksonville, FL
Carl Davidson - Florida Rock Industries, Jacksonville, FL
Kim Parker - WJXT Channel 4, Jacksonville, FL
Deborah Pass - ATS Services, Jacksonville, FL
Michael Ray - Stein Mart, Inc., Jacksonville, FL
Malcolm Robinson - Phillips-Van Heusen, New York, NY
Sheri Rosenfeld - Fishman & Tobin, New York, NY
John C. Taylor, Jr. - Taylor, Day & Currie, Jacksonville, FL
Lisa O. Taylor - Pacer International, Jacksonville, FL
Jeanne Ward - Community Activist, Jacksonville, FL
C. Donald Wiggins -Heritage Capital Group, Jacksonville, FL
James Diehl, Executive Director
Dignity U Wear Foundation, Inc., tax ID #593635885 and state registration number CH11385 is a 501 (c) (3) organization and receives 100% of your contribution. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY STATE. |
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