A city of suits gives back

Would you be willing to give the suit off your rack to help a fellow American?

In one week, on June 27, the annual Capitol PurSuit Drive will take place on Capitol Hill in the foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building. The event, sponsored by the American League of Lobbyists, The Hill and Men’s Wearhouse, with support from two major nonprofit organizations, Working Wardrobes and Career Gear, and in conjunction with almost a dozen local nonprofits, helps Americans get back to work by providing interview-ready, professional attire. After all, we know how far making a good first impression goes.

During the last three years, in just 12 hours, the lobbying and Hill communities along with the association community have donated more than 23,000 articles of business attire that were utilized immediately by nonprofit organizations to help people who need assistance entering the workforce.

Affording proper interview and working attire is an enormous obstacle for low-income adults and at-risk youth. The Capitol PurSuit Drive has been instrumental in removing this obstacle and in helping Americans get back to work.

This year’s suit drive is also an excellent opportunity for lobbyists, members and any professional within the Beltway to show America the type of positive results the Washington community can achieve in a short period of time.

Jerri Rosen, founder of the nonprofit organization Working Wardrobes, said that before getting involved with the suit drive she was unaware of lobbyists’ charitable work: “I believe that the average man on the street might voice a negative opinion of lobbyists, based on misperceptions about the lobbying community. It’s wrong to paint the entire lobbying community with a general broad brush! This is an enormous force of creative and resourceful men and women who work very hard to make a significant impact in our country. I’ve had the honor to personally work with lobbyists who have given their hearts, soles and the suits off their backs to help thousands of Americans get back to work.”

“The Capitol PurSuit Drive is so important to people in need,” said Gary Field, the founder of Career Gear, a New York based nonprofit that helps disadvantaged men to re-enter the workplace. Due to the organization’s participation in the annual drive, and the great need for their services in the D.C. area, Career Gear has opened a District-based affiliate office. Said Field: “Working with the lobbying and Hill communities on the drive has opened the eyes of many about the need to help Americans get back to work and providing them with the tools to do so. The suit that one person thinks is worthless may change someone else’s life.”

The director of Corporate Giving at Men’s Wearhouse, Cynthia Stewart, noted, “Very few people realize the obstacle that clothing can have on low-income people striving for self-sufficiency. Events like the Capitol PurSuit Drive bring awareness to decision-makers in this country of the necessity of funding programs that provide the proper interview and work apparel for this population. Men’s Wearhouse in honored to be a founding partner with the American League of Lobbyists in this great event that helps so many in the local area as well as nationwide.” The results of the Washington event have created interest in launching suit drives across the country.

 Last year, dozens of top lobbying shops participated in a friendly competition to be crowned with the title of the “most suitable” firm. Golin Harris won the title by collecting close to 300 suits and other articles of business attire. Mike Fulton, executive president at Golin Harris, said, “Giving back to those in need can be fun and rewarding at the same time, and we are striving to eclipse last year’s donations.”

This event is a prime example of how the lobbying community, Capitol Hill, the association world and the D.C. business community can make a huge, tangible and immediate difference in the lives of those in need. “Making a difference” is one reason I came to Washington, and I hope you too will join me by participating in this year’s Capitol PurSuit Drive.

So come to the Rayburn Foyer on June 27 between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and give us the suit off your rack. For more information or to inquire about how to get more involved, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Dave Wenhold, CAE, is a founding partner of Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies, a D.C. government-affairs and grassroots lobbying firm. He also serves as the first vice president of the American League of Lobbyists. He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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