The Indianapolis NAPW Chapter met at the Dress for Success Indy headquarters to wrap up their Christmas in July – Suits for Success Drive. The drive boasted a very successful response!
Lisa Ralph, Andrea Cowley, and Barb Ellsworth hosted the event and provided a tour of the Dress for Success facility. It was apparent that Dress for Success provides more than suits to its clients. They feature a facility that rivals leading training centers and a department store combined.
Indianapolis Chapter President, Lynn Moore kicked off the meeting by welcoming everyone, briefly speaking about the agenda and introducing the event's hosts. Members were asked to introduce themselves and reflect on their experience in gathering Suits for Success and others' reactions as they recruited co-workers to participate in the suit drive.
The Stories Behind the Suits…
Jaye Miller, who encouraged her co-workers to participate, shared a story of a co-worker who reached out to thank her for the experience. She shared that her mother had passed the previous year and she decided that she would go through her mother's items and her own closet. She commented that this was a very cleansing and healing experience that helped her let go of material things in order to help another person. Jaye collected so many items it took several ladies and several trips to empty her car!
Carol Bentley was happy to share a "like new" suit that would feel new to the client.
Shannon Hitchcock shared a story of a "lucky" cream suit that got her the job more than once, and she is happy to share the luck with another.
Michelle "Mikki" Post had few clothing items to donate but headed to the stash of cosmetic samples and personal care items that always made her feel "professional." Mikki contacted a few consultant friends and they also raided their storage for items that would add polish to an interview.
Jennifer McNett remembers when she and her mother shopped for her interview suit together. She remembers the interviews and is happy to share her first suit with another woman.
Tammie Fish hopes her donation will help other women succeed in business as she and her partner, Carol, have in the past year.
Suzanne Canull has recently shared her closet with friends and reminds us of how a suit and a positive attitude play a necessary role in getting a job and succeeding in life!
Sally Esbaum has volunteered at Dress for Success Indianpolis for over eight years and was inspired to give more of herself than just her suits – she gives her time and experience. She encouraged chapter members to volunteer in one of the many areas of need.
Vickie Proksch found suits and a passion for engaging others to help. Her staff continues to leave items at her car for donation!
Lynn Moore enjoyed finding not just the right suit, but assembling a whole outfit for a Dress for Success client. She feels her role is to help women find connections to their personal styles, and to create meaningful relationships in both their personal and professional lives.
New Members and Guests Shared Their Stories…
Kathy Carandang, Owner of The Walk EZ Store.com and new member, makes any shoe comfortable! She also found a few suits that she hoped would help another woman succeed.
Jamie Van Deusen, guest of Sally Esbaum and Client Advocate at Desktop Resources, Inc. feels her role is to ensure her customers are happy from first to last impressions. Jamie shared her experience with Stepping Out in Style and the way the speakers moved her as they shared their journeys to success. This event is a great way to help Dress for Success and have an awesome Girls Night Out!
Barbara Burcope, guest of Suzanne Canull and Vice President of Human Resources at TriMedx, is dedicated to helping others find their passion! As she went through her closet she realizes how fortunate she is been to be able to give others. She is glad to know these suits can make another woman feel good inside and out!
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Danuta "Donna" Panich, Shareholder/Attorney at Ogletree Deakins Law Firm and new member, represents clients on a national litigation scale. Donna has just relocated to Indianapolis and is glad she found a few suits in her closet to help. The chapter extended a warm welcome to Donna.
Erica Caputo, guest of Lynn Moore, is the Owner of New Old Standard Baked Goods and provided delicious desserts the event – and they were vegan! Erica is also building her success wardrobe and looks forward to learning from the great group of mentors that NAPW represents.
Morgan Gadd, guest of Lynn Moore, is a former Indiana FFA State Officer and current Intern for Reynolds Corporation. Morgan shares the meaning of her previous "uniform" and what that meant for leaders in FFA. Morgan is looking forward to learning more from this group and sharing her suit stories in the future.
"It was great to have our guests join us and we look forward to their participation in future meetings," said president, Lynn Moore.
The chapter had a nice turnout and so many clothes and personal items that will definitely help Dress for Success Indy clients feel like it is Christmas in July! Members continue to donate by dropping items off at the Dress for Success Headquarters at 820 N. Meridian or at Classic Cleaners as they will clean and deliver the items.
"Your generosity is appreciated, and the personal experience each of you shared only strengthened our commitment to supporting women in our communities," said president, Lynn Moore.
NAPW Indy chapter donated 36 suits, 101 separates, 16 pairs of shoes, 2 pad folios, 7 purses, 2 coats, 7 hosiery packs and personal care items.
NAPW's Indy Chapter members are committed to supporting women as they connect, learn, grow and inspire other women. To that mission the chapter has elected to support the Indy Dress for Success program throughout 2011 in several ways:
- July through December, NAPW members will volunteer to help Dress for Success Indy clients with resumes, coaching, personal shopping, training, presentations, etc. NAPW Members, Kathy Carandang, Donna Panich, Morgan Gadd, Michelle Post, Jaye Miller, Shannon Hitchcock, Suzanne Canull, Barb Burcope, Jamie VanDeusen, Erica Caputo and Lynn Moore took the challenge!!!
- On September 22, the chapter will sponsor tables at "Stepping Out in Style," the fashion jackets online popular fundraising event held at the JW Marriott, Indianapolis, IN beginning with a 5pm cocktail hour, followed by speakers and a celebrity fashion show. The chapter was advised to contact Sally Esbaum to make their NAPW reservations at sjesbaum@desktopresources.com.
- On December 13, NAPW will provide a meal and speakers for members and clients of Dress for Success Indy. NAPW members will participate in a panel discussion and provide thoughts on the written rules of the workplace, the unwritten rules of the workplace, financial planning, and work/life balance. Other members will prepare to serve a meal for the group.
The next Indianapolis chapter meeting will be held on August 11th at the Dayspring Center. Members were encouraged to bring a friend. The Indianapolis Chapter Meetings are posted on the Indy Chapter page of the NAPW site. December 13th will be another Dress for Success event at 820 N. Meridian, Indianapolis, IN. Meetings are held at 6:30 and will be moved (for convenience to all) to various locations around the I-465 loop.
The chapter extended a special thanks to the Dress for Success staff members: Lisa Ralph, Andrea Cowley and Barb Ellsworth, for their hospitality and partnership. They also thanked Erica Caputo, for her delicious desserts, creative spirit and entrepreneurial drive, and Morgan Gadd, for her continued commitment to Indiana FFA and her gracious comments on leadership, partnership and wisdom.
For additional information regarding the Indianapolis local chapter and/or NAPW, please visit http://www.napw.com.
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