WS Chronicle

The Big 4 Alumni Association and the Winston-Salem Urban League hosted a business attire clothes drive on Friday, Oct. 30 for seniors currently looking for employment.

By Tevin Stinson

The Chronicle

The Big Four Alumni Association recently joined forces with the Winston-Salem Urban League to sponsor the organizations’ first annual Day of Service.

During the event, alumni from Atkins, Carver, Anderson, and Paisley provided business attire for the seniors who participate in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).

SCSEP is the largest Federally-funded program specifically targeting adults seeking employment and training assistance to lengthen self-sufficiency.

According to SCSEP Director Patricia Sadler, they decided to join forces with the Big Four Alumni Association after president Eric Martin approached her with the idea.

“Eric Martin contacted me about getting more involved with the community,” said Sadler. “We decided a clothes drive would be a good idea because so many of our seniors are seeking employment.”

Sadler went on to say that many of the seniors don’t have the proper attire to wear to job interviews which in some cases can be a determining factor in being hired or not.

“We are grateful for everything the Big Four Alumni Association is doing for our seniors,” she said. “A lot of our participants don’t have the money to go out and buy new clothes for interviews. The fact that we had so many people willing to make donations is a big help.”

Lance Shristler said he saw a number of items during the clothes drive that caught his eye and said now he feels more confident about going to job interviews.

“This was a great idea,” he said. “I saw a lot of great items here today from shoes to blazers. They really had a wide variety of items to choose from.”

Although this is the first community event sponsored by the Big Four Alumni Association, Martin said this is only the beginning.

“We wanted to make more of an impact in the community,” he said. “This is the first of many events we will be hosting that will be geared toward uplifting the community. Day of Service is just the beginning. A lot of people think all we do is have a dance,” he continued. “As president I will make sure the Big Four Alumni Association leaves its mark on this community.”

Sadler stated the SCSEP is still accepting donations of business attire. The seniors are in dire need of coats and jackets as well. Donations can be dropped off at the Winston-Salem Urban League, 201 W. Fifth St.