Suit drive to benefit Roanoke Valley job seekers

Family Service of Roanoke Valley, along with more than 150 other nonprofit organizations across the country, will be dressing up job seekers as part of an annual clothing drive by Men's Wearhouse.

During its sixth annual National Suit Drive, Men's Wearhouse at 4757 Valley View Blvd. is collecting gently used men's and women's suits, shirts, jackets, ties, belts and shoes to help give a fresh start to disadvantaged workers facing unemployment.

The collection runs through July 31.

"We are thrilled to partner with Men's Wearhouse to help local job seekers," said Jenny Lee, chief development officer at Family Service of Roanoke Valley. "Many people in this area are still struggling, despite the slowly recovering economy, and National Suit Drive is making it easy for the local community to give back and help those who are in need and who are searching for jobs."

Last year Family Service of Roanoke Valley received more than 300 suits, more than the number of clients it was serving. The extras were donated to other service agencies in the Roanoke Valley, Lee said.

For more information on the National Suit Drive, call the Roanoke store at 563-9860 or visit www.nationalsuitdrive.com. Also, visit Men's Wearhouse on Facebook or follow the conversation on Twitter @MensWearhouse for real-time updates with #giveasuit.

For every National Suit Drive mention on Facebook and Twitter, Men's Wearhouse will contribute $1 (up to $20,000) to the cause.

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Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council has been "Groovin' & Growin' " since 1963 and will celebrate its 50th anniversary July 27.

The 1960s-themed party will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. in Fitzpatrick Hall at the Jefferson Center.

The evening will feature music by 1964: The Tribute, plus silent and live auctions. It also will honor community leaders Betty Norris, Anita Price, Joyce Waugh and Sam Lionberger Jr.

Proceeds from the anniversary celebration will provide scholarships for girls to attend camp, travel and participate in the Girl Scout program.

The Virginia Skyline Council has more than 12,000 girl and adult members from Central, Southside, Southwestern and Western Virginia.

Tickets for the anniversary celebration, which is open to anyone 21 and older, are $85 per person or $150 per couple. They can be purchased by contacting Hailey Hermosa at 777-5117 or hhermosa@gsvsc.org.

For information on joining, volunteering, reconnecting or donating to the Girl Scouts, call 800-542-5905 or visit www.gsvsc.org.

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The Local Office on Aging, with help from the Administration on Aging and the Virginia Department for the Aging and Rehabilitative Services, is providing two free six-week workshops to older adults with chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, chronic pain and anxiety.

During the weekly sessions, participants will learn practical ways to manage such symptoms as pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, difficult emotions and poor sleep.

The workshops will be held from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays from July 15 through Aug. 19 at Hermitage in Roanoke, and from 2:15 to 4:45 p.m. Wednesdays from July 24 through Aug. 28 at Elm Park Estates.

Participants who complete all the sessions receive a free book and relaxation CD.

For more information and to register, call 345-0451, ext. 401, or e-mail aduehl@loaa.org.

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