Hollister business owner Diane Diaz Hopkins and her staff are sponsoring two events this week to help women who are looking for work dress professionally.
On Friday evening, Diaz Hopkins, owner of Dane Diaz Hopkins Insurance, and her staff will host the inaugural Women of Worth Strive Donation Drop-off Mixer. The event, held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday evening at Diaz Hopkins’ office at 899 San Benito St., is open to all community members who wish to donate professional clothing and accessories. Donations will benefit women who are actively job searching and interviewing with employers but may not have the money to purchase professional clothing. Appetizers and drinks will be served.
The following day, Diaz Hopkins and her staff will use the donations to turn their office into a clothing store, complete with a try-on room. Women who are in need of free professional clothing can shop from the donations between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday.
“I just wanted to give back to the community,” Diaz Hopkins said when asked for the inspiration behind the event. She also recalled the memory of interviewing women who had not come to her office properly attired.
Diaz Hopkins and her staff members Bridget Blair, Gloria Zatien and Jenny Carmona began planning the event in January and have invited 150 of their professional contacts to Friday’s mixer. They have also reached out to social services agencies, employment agencies and local churches to inform local job seekers of Saturday’s event.
Local businesses and individuals have already donated 50 clothing pieces, complete with accessories, Diaz added.
Volunteers are donating their time to make the events successful, Diaz Hopkins said, including a San Benito High School Photography student, Sophia Casteneda who will be taking pictures free of charge, and a local caterer who will be providing the refreshments.
For more information about the Women of Worth Strive events, contact Diaz Hopkins’ office by calling 831-801-6871.