815 Military Wives Shop for Ball Gowns in 6 Short Hours!!!

Over the past 20 years, I’ve talked with thousands of volunteers who have been moved and inspired at many of our events. But I don’t think I’ve ever heard it put quite as eloquently as Cynthia Corey did on the bus ride home from Camp Pendleton Saturday, September 26.
‘Blissfully exhausted’ is the term Cynthia came up with!

The day started at 6:00 am with a bus trip from south county to Camp Pendleton. Our Event director Linda Knoth had patriotic name tags for all 24 volunteers, water and snacks to keep our energy high.

We were greeted at Camp Pendleton by Suzanne Tabrum, who is the Director of Events and Community Relations for the YMCA on base. With a few hardy volunteers, Suzanne arranged over 2,500 ball gowns, most donated by Working Wardrobes after our prom event, 800 sets of ‘bling’ from the very generous Cookie Lee Jewelry company and everything was ready to go.

With military precision, the women were welcomed in groups of 50 from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm. They had 20 minutes to shop, try on dresses and check out!! Sound impossible? Yes, but we saw it happen hundreds and hundreds of times.

The Working Wardrobes’ volunteers were on hand to greet the Marine wives, to help them shop, to zip up gowns, to ooh and aah when the perfect gown was found and to provide some tips on the right shoes and jewelry. It was non-stop shopping to the women were ready for the Marine Ball this November!

‘Blissfully exhausted!’

I think every volunteer felt that way and also proud to be part of an effort that in some small way helps our military families.

For Working Wardrobes, we consider in an honor to donate the prom and party dresses and we will continue to do this as long as we host the prom event.

How can you help?

Donated excellent quality prom and party gowns, dressy shoes and purses and costume jewelry. Larger sizes are VERY important to all of us.

Please check out our website for more info at: http://www.workingwardrobes.org/ and thanks for your support!

My Chance Encounter With A Success Story

Friday morning, I'm at Fullerton College. It's an informational fair on non-profits and community involvement. I'm doing the usual, talking, recruiting, explaining about Working Wardrobes, are you familiar with who we are and what we do?

There's a pause to the influx of students when a woman working one of the other booths walks up to me.

"Hi! Are you familiar with Working Wardrobes?" I ask her.

"Yes, I am. Actually, I went through Working Wardrobes!"

She was referred to us through a domestic violence program awhile back. She was ready to get back to work, but didn't think she had the means: "I thought: I don't have anything to wear! How am I going to find a job?? And then they told me about Working Wardrobes."

Her experience, she explained, was exceptional. She was partnered with a wonderful volunteer Personal Shopper who was kind and friendly, and helped her find the perfect working wardrobe. When she couldn't find anything in her shoe size (she's a size 2), a volunteer went online, found some for her, and had them shipped directly to her house.

It was that wardrobe she wore to her interview at the organization she now works!

"I heard you explaining about your organization and I thought, wait, I know them! They helped me! I just had to come over and let you know that yes, you do make a difference-- the program works. I mean, look at me. I'm a Success Story!"

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Our Men's Day of Self-Esteem is Sunday, October 25th, and we need volunteers to help someone else on their way to becoming a Success story. Over 100 men will be served, and two former clients will share their heartwarming stories. Volunteer registration forms are available online on our website or by clicking here.

Tempt Me, Baby.

Tomorrow's the last Thursday of the month-- which means it's shopping time.

Temptation Thursday: 50% Off Storewide in all three Hanger Boutiques

Here's some of the great things you'll be able to buy-- at half price-- this Thursday:

1. Red top, cropped sleeve jean jacket

2. Anne Klein shoes, size 7.5

3. Coach shoes, size 8

4. White Charlotte Russe jacket, black top (with an awesome bow!)

5. Armani suit, size 5

6. Marc Jacobs shoes, size 9.5

7. Prada shoes, size 8.5

8. Black and silver satin top, comfy fit jeans

Most of the tops modeled here are samples, direct from the designer, one of a kind and mad crazy cute. Be sure to stock up on jean items (I'm eyeing that jacket) for Blue Jeans and the Blues.

Happy Shopping, friends!

(Stay tuned: updates on client services later this week!)

I know you love your TiVo, but it's time to get out there and shake things up.

Working Wardrobes Event Calendar

September 21st - October 4th

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This hump day, come out for a drink, compliments of Kimera Restaurant and Lounge in Irvine (click here for directions). Bring a donation (clothing, shoes, belts, or accessories) for a chance to win an imac.

So after a long day in the office/warehouse/shopping mall, bring out the friends and coworkers and relax-- several of us will be there, so it is a guaranteed good time.

You were given something free, so now it's time to give back-- at our next Ron Simon Success Event. This time, we have a bigger group: 30 teens will be coming in for a business etiquette workshop, professional wardrobe, and makeover.

You can read my blog entry about our last Ron Simon event-- it is a really positive and life-affirming experience to be apart of. If you don't think you make a difference, just stick around for the fashion show at the end. You'll see a group of quiet, self-conscious kids in the beginning, but by the end these young men and women are full of confidence and excitement.

Contact: Megan, VP of Client Services, meganh@workingwardrobes.org

We've been talking about this for a long time, so you should've seen it coming-- our huge fundraising event Blue Jeans and the Blues is less than two weeks away. Renowned blues singer Pamela G, a barbeque dinner, gaming tables, dancing, and a live auction... you haven't bought your tickets yet!? The auction list is still in the works, but perhaps a weekend getaway, wine tasting, or Ducks' game suite will perk your interest...

We're also looking for volunteers (contact Mary Lou, marylout@workingwardrobes.org for more info), who will be sporting sexy fedoras. Oo lala.

The more the merrier, so bust out your denim, buy your tickets and I'll see you there!

"Just Wait til I Get My Dentures!"

Hello lovelies. I've missed you.

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This is the only decent picture I have. However, there was a professional photographer, a cable television station, and at least two amateur photographers, so when those videos and images come, so will a full-featured story. Until then, here's the highlights from this past Sunday's South Bay Day of Self-Esteem to tide you over:

• Designing Women South Bay
• Hawthorne Cable TV
• Jerri in a miniskirt
• 35 volunteers
• 12 overjoyed, prepared, and gorgeous ladies
• "Just wait til I get my dentures!"

 Stay tuned for more.

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Status check: how are we doing?

I'd love to hear what you think of our blog-- What don't you like? What would you like to know about Working Wardrobes that I haven't covered in the blog? Do you read everytime we post? Is the only reason we have any followers because of a certain threatening staff member?

Don't be afraid to leave a comment or two-- I can take it, I promise, and I thrive on the feedback.

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Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Tell Us How You REALLY Feel

It may have been a holiday weekend, but just like life, we don't take a break.

We have just as many clients coming in this week as any other, and thanks to our new comment cards (ooOOoo!), we get to hear directly from clients about their experiences.

Truth be told, it's almost boring-- everyone just says the same things over and over.

"It was a wonderful experience" ... "Keep up the excellent work" ... "I loved my time here" ... "I liked that the girls were ready to help me" ... "Good eyes for what looks good on men" ... "Thank you for being here!"

Yawn.

Of course, there will always be those left unsatisfied...

"No way to improve" "Thank you so much for all your help!"

Okay, so I'm wrong this once. Whatever so what.

I asked Rose, our fantastic Caeer Center Cordinator, if she was tracking our ratings. No, she says, everyone pretty much rates us the same:

 Ugh.

In all seriousness, we have the best volunteers and interns you could ask for. So many of them were mentioned by name by clients who wanted to thank them personally for the phenomenal experience. We couldn't do it without you all supporting us.

"I think it's really amazing that your organization provides the necessary apparel for the community. God bless, and thank you!"

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P.S. Check out any one of the three Hanger Boutiques, as they're having a sale on all blue jeans ($15!!) in support of our Blue Jeans and the Blues on October 4th. The date is fast approaching, so buy your tickets! Pamela G, BBQ dinner, dancing, gaming, and more--all for only $75 a couple!