I Heart Newport Collects Clothing for Lyndon State College Graduates

NEWPORT — For young people trying to enter the workforce without a job, it can sometimes be difficult to afford the clothes you need to “dress for success.”

Lyndon State College has the answer. A “Dress for Success” clothing drive. The goal is to provide a free business-ready outfit for each junior or senior who could use the help. The clothes provide a starting point for the students’ professional wardrobe.

On Friday night, I Heart Newport, a local Facebook group with over 200 members, held a clothing exchange of their own. They decided it would be a great opportunity to help LSC out. What would have normally been a free-for-all clothing exchange, turned into a great way to collect clothing for the LSC Dress for Success drive.

Before the ladies in attendance Friday night were allowed to start swapping clothes, they pulled out a couple of outfits that would be suitable for the graduating LSC students to wear during interviews.

“Tonight was another great example of local people sharing love and support to their community-at-large,” said Beth Barnes, founder of I Heart Newport. “I’d like to wish all graduating seniors happy job hunting and good luck.”

Some of Friday night’s attendees included Diana Poulin of Muddy Waters Pottery, Lori Gilbar Christopher, who works for Vermont Family Network, Wendy Franklin, Director of Community Outreach North Country Hospital, Jess Philippe, Christina Contoir, Assistant Director, Ctr. for Rural Entrepreneurship at Lyndon State College, and Ruth Sproull, owner of Little Gnesta Bed and Breakfast.

Below are some scenes from the night.