SARASOTA, Fla. – The Everglades University – Sarasota Campus recently partnered with Goodwill Manasota’s Veterans Services program to collect business clothing and personal items for Goodwill’s Suits for Vets program. The donation drive resulted in the collection of suits and various clothing items (for men and women) as well as personal items such as deodorant, baby wipes and hand sanitizer, so that veterans served through Goodwill can put their best foot forward during job interviews.
At Everglades University, students, staff and faculty choose a nonprofit to support each month. The Suits for Vets charitable effort is a particularly good fit for the campus: Everglades University is a yellow ribbon school, serving many veterans who are on campus getting their education after serving our country. The partnership was cemented after school representatives visited the Veterans Services program office several years ago and heard how Goodwill works to address critical needs of the local veteran population.
“The Everglades University Sarasota Campus has a significant military population and we are proud to continue our partnership with Goodwill Manasota Veterans Services program and participate in its Suits for Vets donation drive,” said Caroline King, Campus Vice President. “EU Sarasota is honored to support veterans who served so bravely to protect our freedom as they transition into the workforce. We want to thank our Armed Forces community and honor your service to our country.”
“As a veteran, it means so much to me that there are organizations out there willing to reach out to and generously support our veterans community,” said Todd Hughes, Veterans Services program manager. “We thank the students, staff and faculty of the Sarasota campus of Everglades University for this generous donation of clothing and other items, which will help veterans who are trying to find their way back into the workforce – or who are seeking better opportunities – to feel more confident during the job search.
Goodwill’s Veterans Services program works to help eliminate barriers to employment, provide opportunities for higher-paying positions for veterans and their families, and connect veterans with needed social services. It also offers plentiful networking opportunities and emergency financial assistance – which is particularly important as already at-risk veterans face COVID-19-related challenges.
For more about Goodwill, go to experiencegoodwill.org.
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With philanthropic donations and revenue generated by the sales of donated goods, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities, veterans, seniors, and those with other barriers to employment by providing jobs, job skills training, and free career services. For more information or for a listing of locations, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org or call 941-355-2721.