News Details (Posted: September 10, 2007):

Special Event Benefits Wardrobe for Opportunity

Full Description:

Donations of men’s and women’s clothing in good condition and acceptable for a professional office environment will be accepted at the store between 11 am and 6 pm on September 15. All who donate items on the 15th will receive a 10 percent discount on anything purchased at Acc’sentials that day. There will also be a special, free event in Acc’sentials’ garden courtyard from 2 to 4 pm, featuring music by Destiny, “Harpist from the Hood;” guest speakers from Wardrobe for Opportunity; and refreshments, including olive oil, bread, and baguettes donated by Olivina of Livermore and wine donated by Wizard Winery of Livermore, which specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon. The speakers will include a client dressed by Wardrobe for Opportunity, who will share his positive experiences with the program and the changes it has made in his life.

Wardrobe for Opportunity, a non-profit, volunteer-based organization headquartered in Oakland, provides professional clothing and career support to low-income job seekers so they can find employment and become economically self-sufficient. Since 1995, the organization has prepared more than 13,500 job-seekers for the professional workplace. Program participants, who are referred by over 70 partner social service agencies, receive at no charge two complete outfits to wear for job interviews and once hired, can return for a “working wardrobe” of enough clothing for the first few weeks of work. Clothing is donated by area clothing stores and individuals. Wardrobe for Opportunity also consults with its clients on planning and achieving goals and projecting the image of a confident applicant and employee.

Bennie McKay, owner of Acc’sentials, is coordinating the clothing drive and donating his space. Mr. McKay first became involved with Wardrobe for Opportunity several years ago as a volunteer fashion consultant, helping clients put together a professional wardrobe.

Mr. McKay commented, “I had the opportunity to experience first-hand the program’s impact. One of my first clients was a rather stout, short man. He was about 5’4” tall and wore a size 54 jacket. I helped him find a good-looking outfit. I saw him look in the mirror and immediately stand taller, and then I noticed a tear on his cheek. From then on I was hooked on helping this great service.”

Mr. McKay sponsors two annual clothing drive events at his store to benefit Wardrobe for Opportunity. Besides collecting clothing from individuals, he requests donations from the vendors who supply his store. Donated clothing must be appropriate for a professional work setting. For women this would include suits and jackets, pants, shirts, and blouses that can be mixed and matched. For men, recommended items are suits, blazers, slacks, shirts, ties, and belts. Shoes and accessories such as jewelry, bags, and unopened makeup are also appreciated. All donations must be clean (dry-cleaned or washed), ironed, on hangers, and in good condition with no stains, rips, missing buttons, or broken zippers. Clothing should be in current style, and basic colors, such as black, brown, navy, or white, are best.

For more information on the clothing drive, call Acc’sentials at 925-931-9130. For more information on Wardrobe for Opportunity, go to www.wardrobe.org.

Acc’sentials, which was recently selected for Diablo Magazine’s Best of the East Bay awards in the categories of Men’s Business Casual Clothing and Places to Sip and Shop, is located at 520 Main Street in Pleasanton. The store is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 am to 7 pm, Saturdays from 11 am to 6 pm, and Sundays from Noon to 5 pm.

Source: www.pleasantondowntown.org