April 21, 2008 For Immediate Release For additional information:  Barbara Kerr, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing Telephone: 360-992-2921 E-mail:  bkerr@clark.edu

CLARK COLLEGE HELPS STUDENTS
DRESS FOR SUCCESS

From April 24-30, Clark College will accept clothing donations to help students as they take the next step from education to the workplace

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Imagine that you’re about to graduate from college and have lined up your first job interviews.  You have a resume and you’re eager to succeed.  But you’re nervous because you don’t have appropriate business clothing to help you make a good impression.

For the past four years, the Clark College Career Clothing Closet has supported students’ efforts to further their career and educational goals by providing them with professional clothing for job interviews, scholarship interviews, and other occasions requiring appropriate attire.  The 2007 event helped 170 students dress for success.

Clark College will accept clothing donations for the 2008 Career Clothing Closet weekdays from April 24-30 in Room 173 of the college’s “T” Building, located on the west side of Fort Vancouver Way between McLoughlin Blvd. and Fourth Plain Blvd.  Clark College is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver.

Organizers say that donors should think about clothing that they would feel comfortable wearing on an interview yourself.  According to Jody Shulnak, Service-Learning & Volunteer Program Manager at the college, “We’re asking that all donations be in excellent condition and ready for use.  In other words, that they’re laundered or dry-cleaned and ironed.  We are accepting clothing for both men and women.  If the size of the garment is not clearly marked, please label the item with the size.  A small slip of paper with the size can be put on the garment with a safety pin.” 

Shulnak adds, “If you have spare hangers -- especially those with clips for slacks and skirts -- we would love to have them.”

Clothing donations will be accepted at the following times:

Thursday, April 24	9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, April 25	8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday, April 28	8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, April 29	8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, April 30	8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The 2008 Clark College Career Clothing Closet will open its doors to students on Thursday, May 1 and Friday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The event will be held in the Penguin Student Lounge, located in the college’s Penguin Union Building.

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