This year’s Shoes in the City event, held at Dylan’s Candy Bar, raised over $1500 from a silent auction and a raffle. Sponsored by philanthropic organization Bottomless Closet, the auction included items like an Oscar de la Renta jacket and a reservation at the Waverly Inn while the raffle included handbags by Inge Christopher and a Tiffany pin by Paloma Picasso. Best of all, the cause of Bottomless Closet was shared with dozens. Amidst all this, the group was able to dress and coach 80 clients from New York City for important interviews, making this their most successful week yet.

Bottomless Closet is an organization that helps women to be self-sufficient through a comprehensive program that begins with providing them with the confidence that comes with having the right clothes to wear to that big interview. Apart from just clothing, the company also helps women with interview preparation and continues with professional development, financial management and personal enrichment.

The Shoes in the City event is not just about raising money and giving away prizes. It’s also about spreading awareness about women in need of help to embark on new professional careers. The hope is that participants of this event, and others like it, will be the next generation of volunteers for Bottomless Closet.

There are many ways that women can volunteer to help out, including Clothes Consultation and Coaching, Workshops and Programming, Fundraising Activities, Professional Expertise and Administrative Support, and more.
In the end, Shoes in the City was a huge success. Bottomless Closet was even able to dress many of the women for their Annual Spring Luncheon, which took place at the Marriott Marquis on Monday, May 17, 2010.

The opportunity for philanthropy presents itself in many shapes and forms. People can be helpful to others while doing what they do best, whether it involves mentoring, fundraising or fashion coaching.

View a previously written post by Mouli Cohen about philanthropy.