BUFFALO (WBEN) - "If you give Western New Yorkers the opportunity to support veterans, they will do it every time," said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. David Bellavia, who joined Mayor Byron Brown in Buffalo Wednesday morning to help distribute gently used business suits to local veterans.
The Belle Center is hosting the “Suits for Veterans” clothing drive until 3 pm today. The community has donated hundreds of suits to help veterans feel better about prospective job interviews. @NewsRadio930 pic.twitter.com/tzInwrCDRk
— Brendan Keany (@BrendanKeany)
November 27, 2019 The clothing drive aims to provide nice clothing to veterans making the transition from the military back to civilian life, and Brown says the participation from the community had been overwhelming.
"The 'Suits for Veterans' drive in Buffalo City Hall has gone phenomenally well," he began. "We started out with a goal of collecting over 100 suits, and thanks to the generosity of the people of Buffalo and Erie County, we now have over 700 suits."
Bellavia added that something seemingly as simple as a nice suit could make more of a difference in a veteran's life than anyone could know.
"Someone is going to take this suit and next Thanksgiving, they might be able to provide for their family in the job that they love, and be able to have dignity and respect back in their lives," he said.
"The better you look, the better you feel," he said. "It gives them just a little bit more advantage."
