Okay, I’ve learned a valuable lesson.  Never say never.  Several months back I thought it was time for me to walk away from this blog, but the universe has a way of bringing you back to where you belong.  Long story short, I have developed a health condition which precludes physical activity.  No big deal, this is a temporary condition which should resolve itself by the end of the year.  But my blog, which has been patiently waiting, is now tugging at my pant legs, restless and ready to go.

I recently learned that the Men’s Wearhouse is having a suit drive through the month of July. Bring your gently worn professional attire to any #MensWearhouse  to help thousands of men and women re-enter the workforce with confidence. Find a store near you and #GiveASuit: https://mensw.com/2Kq5ZhA .  According to their website, they will also accept women’s professional wear, however, you  can also donate women’s wear to Dress for Success ( https://dressforsuccess.org/ ).  Dress for Success was started by a second-year law student, Nancy Lublin, who received a $5,000 inheritance from her great-grandfather in 1996.  Rather than keep the money for herself, she joined forces with three nuns to set up a little boutique in the basement of a church in Manhattan.  Since that time, Dress for Success has spread all over the world, enabling women of need to get the clothing they need to interview and begin employment.  Since its inception, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 150 cities in 30 countries and helped more than one million women better their lives.  I can relate to that situation.  Several years ago, I was in desperate need of clothing to interview for and start a job.  Luckily, a very generous friend lent me several outfits to help me interview and get start the job.  To find a local affiliate near you, just click on:  https://dressforsuccess.org/.  

And while we are on the subject of helping people with what they need to look and feel their best, if you are shopping for shoes, check out Toms, https://www.toms.com/.  With each pair of their shoes purchased, Toms will donate a pair to a child in need.  This is especially important in developing countries.  When children have to go barefoot, which is most often the case in these countries, they run the risk of getting cuts and punctures in the soles of their feet.  When the skin is broken, the likelihood of infection and parasites increases drastically.  Personally, I have been wearing Toms for years.  They have some great styles and an always popular basic line which goes with everything.  I give them a two-thumbs up.

Skechers has a similar shoe line called Bobs.  When you purchase a pair of Bobs, a donation is made to the Best Friends Animal Society, rescuing over one million dogs and cats.  https://www.skechers.com/en-us/bobs-for-dogs .

There is another great idea which groups all over the country are doing.  They collect gently used handbags, fill them with essentials such as:  baby wipes, hand sanitizer, travel size toothbrush and toothpaste, floss, comb, personal hygiene items, chapstick, new socks and underwear, tuna cracker packs, beef jerky, peanuts, a gift card for  local grocery or drug store and a bag of quarters.  Obviously, the size of the handbag would dictate the number of items to be included.  Men can have their items distributed in gallon-size ziploc bags.  Either way, you are giving someone an opportunity to freshen up and feel good about themselves again.  Sometimes a person just needs some encouragement to take the first step to better their lives.  You could be that person.  There is no better legacy than to have helped someone in need.

It feels good to be back.  May the love you give come back to you tenfold.

Cindy

“He that does good to another does good also to himself.”             Lucius Annaeus Seneca