The Northwood California Scholarship Federation club partnered with Working Wardrobes for a women’s professional clothing drive on April 16, collecting 23 donations.
The event focused on supporting women living below the poverty line, facing financial hardship or recently affected by the fires by providing professional, new clothing. Students donated items like blazers, suits, dresses and skirts.
“This isn’t just a clothes drive,” advisor Cathleen Zeleski said. “This is quality clothing, so it required our members to go out there and talk to somebody and figure out what they could do instead of just going into their pantry and pulling out a couple of cans.”
A series of Los Angeles metropolitan area wildfires in January inspired the club to pursue more personal, community-oriented initiatives compared to previous efforts like can and food drives.
“In finding clothes to donate, I realized that a lot of the clothing items were the stuff that my parents would use in their everyday lives to help them look professional and like the part that they were trying to represent,” sophomore Kelli Toshima said.
By focusing on high-quality attire, the CSF board hoped to bring attention to the confidence and sense of identity that a fresh wardrobe can restore, according to CSF president senior Hannah Cho.
“I go to a lot of conferences where formal wear is required,” Cho said. “Not having the clothing, or just not knowing what direction to go in terms of purchasing or acquiring that clothing can be very confusing and isolating in a way.”
CSF plans to invite Working Wardobe’s donation center operations coordinator Janel Cottone to speak to club members at the beginning of next year. The club also aims to collaborate with campus organizations like the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association to expand its impact through drives and walkathons, according to Zeleski.
Meanwhile, members will continue contributing to activities such as the Tutor Center, donation drives and ASB events.
“Our club was initially designed to make differences only to the outside community,” Zeleski said. “We have changed our bylaws since then because I think that you need to start at home. Northwood is our home.”
