photo by Jenny Peterson

Casey Lavin (right) General Manager of Woodlands Inn, donates a jacket to the Summerville Workforce Center for unemployed veterans to wear on job interviews. Accepting the donation is Walter Williams, Veterans coordinator with the workforce center.

For some men, a nice jacket is something to wear for a night on the town. It conveys professionalism and concern for one's personal image.

For others, it could mean a better chance at getting a job.

The Woodlands Inn in Summerville is spearheading a program asking people to donate their old business and sports jackets, which will be given to veterans looking for a job.

Woodlands Inn is working with the Summerville Workforce Center on this venture.

“(It’s) to allow unemployed veterans in the community to look as good as their hearts may be,” said Casey Lavin, General Manager of The Woodlands Inn.

Lavin spoke to a crowd of about 20 business members along with Summerville Mayor Berlin Myers on Wednesday.

The campaign will kick off in May, and members of the community are encouraged to bring jackets, suits and other business clothing to the Inn, located off West Richardson Avenue. Lavin said the goal is to collect 1,000 jackets.

“We wanted to find a way to give back and partner, (in order) to benefit the community,” he said.

In addition to helping the area’s unemployed veterans, donors who are Woodlands' customers also get a bonus. Dining and overnight guests at The Woodlands who donate business clothing will receive a complimentary appetizer in the dining room and get entered into a drawing to win a free two-night stay at Woodlands.

Donors will also receive a 50 percent discounted admission to Patriot’s Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant. All offers expire on June 30.

Lisa Gowens, from the Employment Security Commission, said there are currently 2,000 unemployed veterans in Dorchester County.

“It’s important to do whatever we can to try and decrease that (unemployment) number,” Gowens said. “A lot of people don’t have professional clothes. With Memorial Day falling in May, it’s important we do something extra special.”

Walter Williams, the Veterans representative with the Summerville Workforce Center, said the veterans are grateful for any help they can get in landing a job. Businesses recently came together to offer them free haircuts, he said.

“This (jacket) incentive will be very rewarding,” Williams said.

While the men need jackets in order to make a better impression at job interviews, a place where you don’t need a jacket is at The Woodlands.

The five-star restaurant recently abandoned its “jacket only” policy in the dining room in order to create a more approachable and relaxed dining environment.

The extra jackets the Inn used to keep for diners who forgot to wear one will also be donated to the workforce center.

While the suggested attire at Woodlands is still dressy casual, diners no longer need a coat when eating in the dining room. Lavin said removing the jacket policy is a trend among five-star establishments around the country.

“It’s about being comfortable; we don’t want you to get stressed out about (attire),” Lavin said. “The days of ‘jackets-only’ are over.”

The Woodlands is located at 125 Parsons Road. For more information about Woodlands Inn call (800) 774-9999 or visit www.woodlandsinn.com.

Contact Jenny Peterson at 873-9424 ext. 216 or JPeterson@journalscene.com.

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