Clothing drive benefits those pursuing new jobs BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer NEW BRUNSWICK - To make the chances of getting hired even higher, the New Brunswick Rotary Club is sponsoring a clothing drive to benefit the Hire Attire Boutique & Men's Store Program of the New Brunswick Public Schools Adult Learning Center from now until the end of the month. The collected clothing will be provided to local residents who are entering or reentering the work force but cannot afford to purchase expensive suits and dresses. New and gently used business and business casual garments will be accepted, such as suits, slacks, blazers, coats, dresses, khakis, sweaters, purses, ties, cuff links, shoes and other accessories. All donations are tax deductible. "If they can get a job, this is the first step we think that can assist them," said John Salapatas, the coordinator of this donation drive. "We think there is a population there that has a need for this type of service. We think one way we can assist them is not only with a clothing drive but also with a social network as well." The boutique, which is run by volunteer students, is accessible by appointment using a coupon distributed by the Adult Learning Center. Using their designated coupon, interested members of the center can try on clothes and purchase them once or twice a year. "This is a win-win situation for those who are working there who get experience and those who need attire to help them get a job," Salapatas said. Rotary Club President Jesse Lazarus said that because many of the people seeking this service have had "bumps along the road," they may only need a little bit of self-confidence by the way of physical means to help boost their mentality, especially since first impressions count. "A good appearance always makes a good presentation. You feel better about yourself when you're dressed up. It gives you more confidence," Salapatas said. All donations should be packaged in plastic bags or boxes and brought to the New Brunswick Department of Recreation, 411 Joyce Kilmer Ave., New Brunswick. Drop-off times are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until Oct. 25. The Adult Learning Center was formed out of an adult high school established by the New Brunswick Board of Education in 1980 to help adults who needed a high school diploma. Since then, the school assists residents with learning English or improving job skills to advance in their careers. The clothing program has been ongoing for 10 years, but this is the first time the Rotary Club has participated. The center and boutique are located at 268 Baldwin Street, New Brunswick. Call Director Cathy Borgone or Principal Marlene Lederman at (732) 745-5300, ext. 4100, for more information. The clothing drive is just one of several initiatives put forth by the Rotary Club, which has been serving residents in New Brunswick, North Brunswick and Milltown for 87 years. The organization's motto is "service above self" with the themes of group work and making a difference in the community. "We're involved in much more than you would think 30 people could do," Lazarus said. "Because of the way we feel and that people feel they want to and have to give back to the community, this is very important," added Salapatas, who joined the Rotary Club in July. The organization provides scholarships to high school students in the Greater Brunswick area, having given more than $15,000 to graduating seniors last year who exhibited community service values. High school students benefit from the "First Tee" project, a program that provides golf lessons and equipment to schools throughout Middlesex County. Each year, the Rotary Club distributes dictionaries to every third-grade student in the New Brunswick public school district. They also hold a celebrity basketball game each spring, in partnership with the New Brunswick Department of Recreation, to reward honor roll students in grades K-8 with free tickets. The members are also involved in a refurbishing project for the New Brunswick firehouses. "We feel the firehouses give an awful lot back to New Brunswick, or any city. We found out a couple of years ago that the living quarters of the firehouses were falling in somewhat disrepair," Lazarus said. Interested members are invited to attend lunch or contact Lazarus at JLaza45200@aol.com.