Inner Wheel Club of South Wairarapa

What an exciting place the Wairarapa is. I was lucky enough to meet a number of our Inner Wheel people and their families at the balloon festival early one freezing but fine and relatively windless morning. Many people were milling about in warm jackets, scarves and woolly hats with one exception. I spied one of our members sitting in her car dressed in her pyjamas and a fur coat with her husband.  As they were parked in a prime spot, she was able to see the balloons within minutes of rising from her bed, successfully keeping warm, while others outside were not so comfortable. Only in the Wairarapa! Which is a circuitous route to our speaker this month, Melissa, who spoke about “Dress for success”.

The vision for “Dress for Success is that “women do not live in poverty, are treated with dignity and respect, are strengthening their families and shaping their communities.” The organisation started in New York in 1997 and now it is in Masterton, with five volunteers working in the Wairarapa. 

A referral to “Dress for Success” entails an appointment for a first dressing in a comfortable but smart outfit  suitable for attending an interview. If successful at gaining employment she can have a second dressing, when a stylist will build on the first outfit and give her enough clothing for her first working week, including a handbag and shoes. In addition, advice is given on personal hygiene, accessories and other tips about dressing. All this is designed to make the woman feel comfortable and confident. How does the organisation manage to fund this service?

Dress for Success relies heavily on donations and fundraising initiatives. It also welcomes any good quality clothing you no longer use. At the Martinborough Fair they raised $6000. Other ways we can help is to donate jewellery, makeup, or you could offer to be a mentor .Donation handover venues include: Dress for Success 41 St Perry St., Professinals Patrick and Scott in Carterton, Masterton and Featherston. Or phone: 377 7205, Email: wairarapa@wellington.dressforsuccess.org.  But this is not all, Ladies. 

Ali Rankin, our President-in-waiting, has a new initiative for Inner Wheel to promote. This is for women to donate pre-loved ball gowns to the Kuranui school so that senior girls can borrow one for their prom in August. If like me you have a ball gown or two tucked away in the back of your wardrobe that you will not use again, please consider donating them to the School. This gift will allow girls to be beautifully dressed and feel great at little expense on their special night. Not all girls could afford to go so this would be filling in a need for some. And it has worked successfully elsewhere in New Zealand. So if you can help, please contact Ali at 06 379 6723, or email ar.tuppence@gmail.com.

New members welcome. Please contact Ali Rankin, (06 379  6723)