13s Come Up Lucky for Record-Setting Clothing Drive

HANOVER, Mass. — Lapels Dry Cleaning’s annual clothing drive to benefit the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation collected more than 13,000 pounds of clothing earlier this year.

In terms of fundraising efforts, Lapels Dry Cleaning’s annual clothing drive to benefit Big Brother Big Sister carried its weight—figuratively and literally, says Lapels. This year’s drive generated 13,180 pounds, about the equivalent of more than $13,000, the company adds.

“I guess 13 is our lucky number. We have conducted the Big Brother Big Sister Clothing Drive for 13 years now and we raised more than $13,000,” says Kevin Dubois, CEO of Lapels Dry Cleaning.

The “13” theme continues with the individual clothing drive leaders — Lapels Dry Cleaning of Cohasset and Lapels Dry Cleaning of Boston at 621 Tremont St. Each gathered 1,380 pounds of clothing to tie for most donations. Lapels Dry Cleaning of Cohasset was tops in 2015.

“Each year, this drive gets bigger and bigger,” Dubois says. “We could not have done this without the support of the customers and the communities we serve.”

“We would like to thank Lapels Dry Cleaning and its franchise owners for once again coming through with a record-breaking fundraiser,” says Steve Beck, executive director of the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation.

The clothing will be sold at Big Brother Big Sister-affiliated thrift shops and the proceeds go to fund mentoring programs for young girls and boys.

“I know people associate Lapels Dry Cleaning with being environmentally friendly. Based on the annual success of this clothing drive, I’d have to say they are pretty friendly to the local community as well,” says Beck.

Lapels Dry Cleaning stores in six states — Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, and New Jersey — collected clothing from Lapels customers and the general public during a two-week period in May, the company notes.

“The (total) amount raised by our Massachusetts stores, 10,878, is very impressive,” says Dubois. “What’s even more impressive is how states like New Jersey (1,037 pounds) and Arizona (575 pounds) with only a few stores generated so many donations.”

Lucky 13s! With arms outstretched, Josh DuBois, Lapels Dry Cleaning of Cohasset, Mass., stands under the Lapels company sign with bags of clothing donated for Lapels’ annual drive to benefit the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation. Customers of the Cohasset store donated 1,380 pounds of clothing. The overall drive, now in its 13th year, generated more than 13,000 pounds. (Photo: Lapels)

Heaping helping of generosity! In 2015, the Lapels Dry Cleaning clothing drive for Big Brother Big Sister collected more than 11,000 pounds of clothing. (Photo: Lapels)

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