If Cash for Clunkers could push auto sales to a 15-month high, can a variation of it give a similar lift to charitable organizations?
A number of businesses think so, including clothing retailers and a LoDo hair salon. In addition, two nonprofit organizations will be getting monetary donations when patrons bring “clunkers” from their wardrobes to trade, or bid on them in a silent auction.
Here are the details:
Men’s Wearhouse for the second year has teamed with 200 nonprofit organizations in 44 states, including Colorado, to entice shoppers with a 10 percent discount in exchange for the donation of gently used professional attire to be used by men and women looking to re-enter the workforce.
Suits, dress shirts, sport coats, slacks, ties, belts and shoes can be dropped off at any Men’s Wearhouse location through Sept. 30. The goal is to receive 150,000 items.
“The suit may not necessarily make the man, but if you talk to one of the thousands who received a suit last year from our inaugural drive, they’ll say it definitely made a difference in their confidence,” chief executive George Zimmer said.
Colorado locations of The Limited join more than 200 stores nationwide that will collect eyewear which will be donated to OneSight‘s global optical clinics. Through Sept. 21, people can bring eyeglasses they no longer need to The Limited stores and receive a coupon for a discount on a future purchase at the store.
OneSight has provided free optical exams and glasses to more than 7 million people since 1988. Many people suffer from poor vision simply because they don’t have access to, or can’t afford, a pair of glasses. OneSight operates temporary clinics in North America and around the world where they provide complete eye exams and recycled eyewear to the needy. (more at thelimited )
Closer to home, Luxe hair salon, 1720 Wazee St., has a trade-up offer with a benefit that extends beyond the customer’s pocketbook.
After clients kept asking stylists to recommend inexpensive equivalents for the high-priced brands of shampoo, conditioner, sprays and volumizers, the salon encouraged them to drop off their “clunker” products and receive up to a 20 percent discount on purchases of such deluxe lines as Oribe, Bumble and bumble, Kerastase and Melt.
“We were happy to share our opinion,” says co-owner Jody Martinez, “but now that things seem to be looking up, we want to help everyone get back to their old routine.” Products traded in will be donated to a Denver-area shelter.
The promotion will run for about a month.
Even before Cash for Clunkers, two Denver-area nonprofits established fundraisers that have a similar thread.
The Great American Jacket Exchange and the Old Bags Bruncheon don’t involve vouchers or rebates, but these benefits for Warren Village and the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center, respectively, do a nice job when it comes to trading up.
Warren Village, a community for single-parent families working their way out of poverty, is having its fourth annual Great American Jacket Exchange on Oct. 1 at the Oxford Hotel. The Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Guild’s second Old Bags Bruncheon is Nov. 8 at Pinehurst Country Club.
Guests at the jacket exchange are asked to bring two gently used blazers, coats, purses or pieces of costume jewelry to the Oxford. That and a $25 donation ($35 at the door) entitles them to choose one item of clothing, one purse or two pieces of jewelry to take home. Should a guest find something else she cannot live without, additional purchases can be made for $25 each.
“You’d be surprised at the fine selection of designer pieces we receive for this event,” says Warren Village president and CEO Sue Mohrman.
The price of admission also includes refreshments and music. Surprise bags filled with merchandise from area restaurants, museums and breweries also will be for sale. CBS4’s Molly Hughes is the emcee.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting and clicking “Make a Donation.”
The Old Bags Bruncheon is a silent auction of new, gently used, designer, vintage and evening handbags donated by MS Center Guild members and their friends.
The speaker, Honolulu- based Janice Teply Wright, whose luxury evening bags and accessories are sold in high-end hotels and boutiques worldwide, has created a gray, black and white, animal- shaped clutch, embellished with Swarovski crystals, for the sale.
“This is our second year, and it is really gaining momentum,” says chairwoman Carrie Manion. “Donations have been strong, as have requests for tickets.” News anchor Karen Leigh, also of CBS 4, is the honorary chair and emcee.
Tickets are $75 and can be reserved by calling the MS Center, 303-788-4030.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com
