IARP Is Collecting Suits for Soldiers

Pamela Boea
IARP Membership Manager

Thousands of men and women serve our country in more ways than we can ever imagine. Once they complete their service, it’s time to re-enter the workforce. This is when Jeannie Lehowicz begins to serve them.

In the past three years, IARP member, Jeannie Lehowicz, with the help of neighbors, friends, and co-workers has provided injured and disabled soldiers at Walter Reed Medical Center with suits to wear as they interview for jobs to return to work. Jeannie’s efforts have resulted in the collection of over one thousand, gently used, women’s and men’s suits for soldiers re-entering the workforce. Each month 40 to 50 suits, along with available new button down shirts, ties, and shoes, have been distributed to the soldiers.

For some of these young men and women, it is the first time they have ever owned a suit of their own, or have been able to dress up for any occasion.  These suits not only provide an opportunity to interview feeling confident and dressed for the part, but they also help to boost self-esteem, and the soldiers are reminded that someone cared about their needs.

Jeannie was the recipient of the 2006 IARP Outstanding Individual Professional Member Award presented at the 2007 IARP Annual Conference in Washington DC for her many volunteer contributions and return to work services for the soldiers at Walter Reed. As our new IARP President, Neil Bennett, assumed office, he was inspired by Jeannie and announced his goal to expand her project throughout America and beyond. He challenged each IARP Chapter to collect at least one suit, and asked Karen Starr, the Council of Chapter Presidents Representative to coordinate the project. Karen announced her goal that each chapter would collect at least two suits. So, please join together with your fellow IARP members and participate in this drive for Suits for Soldiers.

As you collect suits, please keep in mind, this project is not the work of a non-profit agency. Jeannie is a volunteer and typically worked alone in spearheading this project. We are adding to her efforts. Once the suits are collected, she places them in a storage facility that she pays for out of her own pocket until they are needed. There is no middle-man.  These suits go directly to the persons for whom they are intended. For individuals needing a receipt for tax deductions, she recommends donating instead to such wonderful and worthy organizations as Purple Heart Veterans, Goodwill, and the Salvation Army.  These organizations all provide receipts for tax deductible donations. Gift cards to local department stores are also appreciated. They can be used by the returning soldiers to purchase additional items of clothing, such as shirts, ties, or shoes that may be necessary.

If you are interested in assisting with this effort by providing a donation of gift cards, suits, new shirts, new shoes, or ties, your generosity will be greatly appreciated.  Please send all donations to:  Suits for Soldiers - IARP, c/o Jeannie Lehowicz, 11431 Hollow Timber Way, Reston, VA 20194.