Program Turns Jeans into Jobs While Supporting Local Schools
Chesterfield County Public Schools is gearing up for its 16th Annual Denim Drive, set to take place on Saturday, October 19, and Sunday, October 20, 2024, at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull, located at 13900 Hull Stree Road, Midlothian, Virginia. This community-driven event, hosted by Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia (Goodwill), encourages students, families, staff and community members to donate denim to support Goodwill’s mission of providing job training services to those in need.
This event enables residents of Chesterfield County to turn jeans into jobs while raising funds for Chesterfield County Public Schools. During the Denim Drive, schools compete to collect used jeans and other denim items. Goodwill, a 501(C)3 non-profit organization, sells denim at its retail stores in the Chesterfield area, and proceeds support Goodwill’s job training and career development programs for individuals in the local area. These programs offered through Goodwill Academy™ of Virginia, serve thousands of job seekers annually in the Greater Richmond community. The drive also raises awareness of the “greening” of blue jeans that are recycled and repurposed for a good cause, and it gives local public schools the ability to win cash prizes. Winning schools at each level will be awarded cash prizes—$1,000, $750 and $500—during the upcoming CCPS board meeting.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate another year of this incredible initiative,” Chief Communications Officer Laura Faison said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for local schools to make a tangible difference in the community while promoting sustainability and providing our community with options for warm clothing as we approach fall and winter.”
In 2023 alone, Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia recycled more than 40 million pounds of materials, ensuring that these donations benefit local communities and promote environmental conservation.
The event will take place at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull, located at 13900 Hull Street Road, Midlothian, VA 23112, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 19 and 20. Participants are encouraged to drop off their denim and specify which school they are supporting.
For more information about Goodwill’s mission and services, visit GoodwillVirginia.org.
About Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia
Goodwill’s mission is changing lives…helping people help themselves through the power of work. Goodwill funds a wide array of job training and support services through donations and sales of used goods, contract services and philanthropic contributions.