Arizona cleaners hope to gather 15 tons in
clothing drive
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The annual “Hope for the
Holidays” clothing drive has been a tradition for over 15
years and this year, an estimated 30 or more drycleaning plants
are expected to contribute to the cause.
Last year’s drive easily brought in
over 15,000 garments, according to Donn Frye, Jr.,
president-elect of the Western States Drycleaners and
Launderers Association and owner of eight Prestige Cleaners
locations scattered throughout Scottsdale and Tempe, AZ.
Now, Frye hopes to reciprocate that
success by drafting the same cleaners who participated in the
2002-2003 winter season.
“We put the word out to all of
them,” he said. “As far as the number of outlets, I
bet you’re probably talking like 60 to 80 because several
of us have more than one location. We have all the information
going out to the different cleaners in our newsletter.
We’ve also had contact with Big Brothers and Big Sisters
of Central Arizona. Because they do clothing anyway throughout
the year, they’re really geared up to take it so it works
out really well.”
Cleaners who want to participate must
notify WSDLA soon so they can be contacted by a representative
from a local distributor who will drop off a Hope for the
Holidays display poster to be placed in their plant’s
window or by the front counter. The poster requests garment
donations from customers on their next trip to the cleaners.
Any type of clothing is acceptable.
“It’s got to be in useful
shape,” stressed Frye. “It’s not like a coat
drive. I know other cleaners around the country sometimes have
a Coats For Kids and things like that. Ours is not. Ours is
strictly clothing. It’s easier on the consumer a little
bit because anything they have that’s usable can become
part of this drive. If we were strictly coats, that narrows the
field down quite a bit.”
There are many methods in which the
clothing can be collected. Big Brother, Big Sisters will
provide participating cleaners with a collection barrel for
inside the store where customers can simply drop off garments
without assistance. Similarly, the organization can also
provide drop-off stores with a collection bin for outside their
place of business. Otherwise, front counter personnel may
simply collect donated items at the counter.
“It’s really up to the cleaner
whichever way they want to choose,” Fry said. “If
they’d rather make their own drop-off box and wrap it
with holiday paper, they can do that, too.”
Once the clothing is collected and
cleaned, cleaners may contact Big Brothers, Big Sisters at
(602) 230-8900, ext. 1, to have the garments picked up.
The drive will run through January 15 of
next year. For more information, contact the WSDLA office at
(602) 253-9186.
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Zellers to teach ITC students the fine art
of stain removal
Cleaners who want to learn the stain
removal basics or would simply like to brush up on their
cleaning skills will have two comprehensive courses to choose
from at the International Textile Center, located on the campus
of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX.
The Southwest
Drycleaners Association will
be hosting a stain removal class for beginners from Nov. 10-12,
as well as an advanced stain removal class for experienced
cleaners from Nov. 12-14.
Both courses will be taught by instructor
Jane Zellers, who will structure each training session with
informational lectures, group discussions and hands-on
demonstrations.
The first class will meet from 8:30 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 10 and 11, and from 8:
30 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
It will cover proper stain removal
techniques with an emphasis on how dyes, pigments, prints and
finishes are all integral to the cleaning process. The course
will also enlighten attendees on the proper use of stain
removal tools on a daily basis and define terms such as
wetside, dryside, alkaline and acid.
The tuition is $290 for SDA members and
$360 for other IFI members. The cost is $425 for non-members.
The fee includes lunch and materials.
The advanced stain removal class will meet
from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:
30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11 and from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on
Friday, Nov. 14.
Students will learn in-depth training on
advanced stain removal techniques, gaining a better
understanding of fiber content, weaves, garment construction
and how to test fiber content by turn testing. Hands-on
training on the use of bleaches and digester, will be offered
in the course, as well.
The advanced session costs $280 for SDA
members and $345 for other IFI members. Non-members must pay
$410. The fee includes lunch and materials.
Both classes can accommodate a maximum of
25 students..
Cleaners planning on attending either
class can take advantage of a discount being offered at the
nearby Holiday Inn Park Plaza. SDA has secured a room rate of
$60 plus tax per night up to four people.
The hotel provides complimentary shuttle
service to and from the airport, as well as the ITC school.
To make reservations or find out more
information about the courses, contact SDA by phone at (210)
826-4864.
Intex sets DF2000 class for Dec. 6
The Intex Distributing Company of Austin,
TX, will host a drycleaning and spotting with hydrocarbon class
on Saturday December 6th from 8:30 a.m. to noon at its
facilities located at 1624 East 4th St.
Cowboy Cleaner Kenney Slatten will discuss
proper DF2000 cleaning and stain removal procedures. He will be
joined by Gerald Henke and staff along with R.R. Street’s
managers Steve Mathews from California and sales manager Jim
Ridge of San Antonio, Texas.
Swatches of stained materials and books
will be provided.
For more information, contact Intex at
(800) 322-7131 or Kenney Slatten at 800-429-3990.
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