Clark College collecting student career clothes

Clark College Career Services is seeking professional career clothing and cash donations for its 12th Annual Career Clothing Closet, which provides professional and interview clothing to Clark College students at no cost.

Many students preparing to enter the job market after graduation lack the resources to purchase new career clothing. Last year, the closet provided professional clothing to more than 700 students.

The closet is accepting new or gently used professional, workplace-appropriate clothing for men and women. All clothing donations should be in excellent condition, laundered or dry-cleaned prior to donation. Undergarments and torn or stained clothing will not be accepted.

Donations may be dropped off from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday at Clark College Career Services, room PUB 002 on the ground level of the Penguin Union Building, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way. The campus is closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Donations are tax-deductible. Receipts will be provided. Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps. For details, contact Sharon Orr at 360-992-2517 or sorr@clark.edu.

The closet will be open for students to select clothing April 21-22 before Clark College Career Days, the college’s career fair preceding spring graduation.

Donations are accepted year-round, but organizers encourage donors to give now.

“We know that this is a time of year when many people are getting new clothes for the holidays and purging their closets, and also when people are looking for end-of-the-year tax deductions,” said Edie Blakely, career services director.