HANOVER, Mass. — Lapels Dry Cleaning stores collected more than two tons of clothing during the annual Lapels Clothing Drive to benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation and Big Sisters of Rhode Island.
Patrons of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Lapels Dry Cleaning stores collected more than 200 bags of clothing, totaling approximately 4,000 pounds.
“Our bi-annual Lapels Dry Cleaning clothing drive offers our customers a win-win situation,” says Fred Siegel, owner/operator of the Hanover Lapels Dry Cleaning store. “They can conveniently drop off their unwanted clothing items and give a boost to a worthy organization — the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation.”
“In five short years, the Lapels Dry Cleaning clothing drive has grown from a fledgling effort to become a solid source of support,” says Ken Higgins of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation of Boston. “We offer our congratulations and [thanks] to Lapels Dry Cleaning and salute [its] ongoing efforts on behalf of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation.”
The Lincoln, R.I., Lapels Dry Cleaning store also collected clothing donations benefiting the Big Sisters of Rhode Island.
“On behalf of the Big Sisters of Rhode Island, I would like to thank Lapels Dry Cleaning for continuing to sponsor this drive, which provides [its] customers with the opportunity to ‘go green’ and help the environment, while also helping young, at-risk girls,” says Kaurie McDermott, spokesperson for the Big Sisters of Rhode Island. “The continued support of Lapels Dry Cleaning is greatly appreciated, particularly in these uncertain economic times.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters picks up the gently used clothing from Lapels Dry Cleaning stores and distributes it to consignment shops. The net profits from the sales of these items are distributed back to Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies, supporting their mission to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships. The Big Sisters of Rhode Island sells the used clothing directly to its partner, Savers, and the proceeds support a mentoring program for at-risk girls.
“It’s an absolutely amazing experience to watch the progress of children involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program,” says Lawrence Friedman, Lapels Dry Cleaning chief executive officer and former Big Brother. “We would like to thank all of the Lapels Dry Cleaning customers and franchisees who so generously support our clothing drives. They really do make a difference.”
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