Tulalip Dressbarn gives women 'SOS' to get into workforce

TULALIP — The Tulalip Dressbarn is teaming up with its local "Dress for Success" affiliate to give disadvantaged women an "SOS" to get into the workforce.

Dress for Success is conducting its annual "Send One Suit" weekend Feb. 25-28 at Dressbarn stores throughout the country, including their Tulalip store, to collect clothes from customers, and donate them to disadvantaged women in the local community who are seeking support in their career development.

"We know how important a job interview is," said Lois Maathuis, district sales manager for the Tulalip Dressbarn. "This event gives us the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of women right here in the community, where we do our business. We want everyone to realize that when they make a donation, they are giving a woman the confidence to enter or return to the workplace, make a positive first impression and land a job that can change her life."

More than 230,000 suits and separates have been donated by Dressbarn consumers and associates over the course of the past eight years. These donations have been distributed to more than 60 Dress for Success affiliates throughout the country, and have provided for, on average, more than 20 percent of their annual suiting needs.

Local residents can participate by donating new or nearly new interview suits and career separates to the Tulalip Dressbarn, located at Seattle Premium Outlets, or to any other Dressbarn store during the Send One Suit weekend Feb. 25-28. In return, Dressbarn stores are providing an additional 15 percent off total purchase savings to every customer who brings in a donation during the SOS weekend. Donation receipts will also be provided for all suit and career donations.

"With the donation of just one suit, an entire family can be transformed," said Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide. "So many of the women who come to Dress for Success are single mothers, and the suit is the first step in their journeys to achieve self-sufficiency."

For more information, contact the Tulalip Dressbarn by phone at 360-716-3116, or log onto their Web site

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