BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Veterans received free business suits on Wednesday through Mayor Byron Brown's suits for veterans clothing drive. Over 700 suits were donated.
"This is our chance to say thank you to our veterans who have served and sacrificed and protected our way of life," Mayor Brown said.
Veterans were also able to pick up shirts and ties.
Lance Walker, an Air Force Special Ops veteran, is ready to put his best foot forward on job interviews after picking up a new grey suit.
"The resume is okay you know, it says what I've done in the past, but in terms of what I can do for them now it's the know, like, and trust factor," Walker said.
Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia said the clothes are helping veterans transition from military life to work life.
"In the military we're used to knowing what we're going to wear everyday, and making sure it looks the way it should look because it represents more than us," Bellavia said.
Walker said it means a lot to have a fellow veteran like Bellavia supporting other veterans.
"It takes a veteran to know from the inside what a veteran really needs because a lot of us, as you know, won't ask," Walker said.
Colvin Cleaners partnered with the clothing drive, providing vouchers for a free suit cleaning and alterations to all the veterans who stopped in. Paul Billoni, the President of Colvin Cleaners said the City of Good Neighbors donated more than expected.
"A lot of people do a little bit, and you end up with a tremendous result," said Billoni.
For veterans who missed the suit drive and need a suit, the Veterans One Stop Center of WNYprovides shirts, suits, belts, and ties to veterans for free all year round.
