Here’s a chance to do something kind during the holiday season for a person trying to get back into the workforce after being homeless, incarcerated, in rehabilitation or raising children.

The University City District (UCD) is collecting donations of professional apparel for men and women to benefit the awesome Philly non-profit Career Wardrobe. The clothing goes into one of Career Wardrobe’s boutique where it is provided at no cost to people transitioning into the workforce to help them make a good impression at an interview. Career Wardrobe also offers skills building services. During the past fiscal year, Career Wardrobe outfitted more than 3,000 men and women.  Continue Reading

Update: Local 44 can’t handle any more donations. They need shoppers. Tell everyone and anyone you know who lived at Windermere to get over there now. The folks at Local 44 had to rent a U-haul already to store the stuff they inevitably will have left over.

Update: Craig wrote about another collection at IsShoes, Alice Burbage’s women’s boutique, at 120 s. 61st St. The store is collecting from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. today. Call for other times to 215-471-5555.

We know of two clothing drives for the victims of the Jan. 10 fire at Windermere Court Apartments in West Philadelphia.

Local 44 (44th and Spruce) will set up tables along Spruce Street outside of the pub to collect clothing donations from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Try to bring things that would be useful to folks now. So winter clothes would be best. Fire victims should stop by to get what they need.

A reader, Natalie, tipped us off to the clothing drive at Drexel’s Alpha Pi Lambda (33rd and Powelton). They are accepting cold weather clothing for fire victims from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The organization will accept donations of gently used hats, gloves, scarves, jackets and blankets at its house at 33rd and Powelton. Those who cannot give clothing can donate cash, which will be used to buy clothes for the drive. Those displaced by the fire who need clothing should stop by.