After collecting more than 1,500 business attire items donated by NBAA Schedulers and Dispatchers showgoers and exhibitors last year, the S&D Advisory Committee says this year’s drive is set to smash that record. Established in 2011, the annual “Pay It Forward” clothing campaign collects gently used, ready-to-wear business attire for donation to local charities in the host city to help disadvantaged job seekers “dress for success.” This year's show is being held in Tampa, Fla., from January 19 to 22.
So far for this year's drive, 3,800 new dress shirts and blouses have been donated by sponsors World Fuel Services (with Bizmark, Alliance Aviation, Executive Flight Center and Jet Aviation); Universal Weather & Aviation; Landmark Aviation; Rockwell Collins; Signature Flight Support; Shirtboy; and Air Service Hawaii. Organizers are urging show attendees to pack some unused garments, including dresses, suits, jackets, slacks, shoes, scarves or neckties, and drop them off just inside the exhibit hall entrance at the Tampa Convention Center through Thursday, January 21.
Those arriving early in Tampa can help with another other show initiative, a virtual food drive that so far has collected more than $4,000 in donations from attendees as they registered, boosted by a $500 donation from Universal Weather & Aviation. At 2 p.m. on Tuesday before the start of the show, early arrivals at the exhibit hall can help fill 1,000 backpacks with nutritious food purchased with that money, as well as contributions by C&S Wholesale Grocers. They will then be distributed to needy children in the Tampa area.