Wearable Success – Sargent Elementary of Beacon, NY

Today we’d like to spotlight one of Wearable’s all-star collectors. Erika Waldron of Beacon, New York, reached out to us a few months ago looking to host a clothing drive in an effort to help the environment and raise money for her child’s elementary school.

Erika’s clothing drive collected an outstanding 5,250 pounds of textiles and raised $520 for Sargent Elementary School.

We interviewed Erika recently to learn all about her clothing drive and what made it a such a success.

1) How did you hear about Wearable Collections?
I don’t remember exactly. I think I found the link on a NYC recycling site or something similar.

2) What made you want to host a clothing drive?
I do not like to throw things in the garbage which could have another use. I was ecstatic to find Wearable Collections. I am also a parent and PTO member so this seemed like a great opportunity to recycle and raise money for school programs.

3) What people or organizations/institutions assisted you in the clothing drive?
The Sargent Elementary School PTO volunteers helped with our drive.

4) Was the clothing drive for the benefit of any particular individual or foundation, etc.?
Yes. The funds raised benefited the Sargent Elementary PTO which sponsors field trips, classroom supplies, school assemblies, etc.

5) Was it difficult to organize the clothing drive?
No. There were very few steps to organizing our clothing drive. It was much less work than some of the other PTO  events.

6) What was your favorite part of the clothing drive?
The positive community reaction is the best part. People expressed their gratitude for the chance to recycle textiles.

7) If you had any advice for other individuals interested in hosting a clothing drive, what would it be?
Try hosting a drive at least twice. The second year could be better than the first. People will tell their friends. Someone will have missed it but want to donate the next year. People who remembered last year’s drive started contacting me in January and February to see if we were doing it again.

8) What do you think was the key to hosting such a successful clothing drive?
Advertising was the key. We had announcements in the local paper, a radio station, flyers in businesses and parks. Flyers went home with students. We put up flyers in Beacon and neighboring towns.