What started as a class assignment has turned into a non-profit endeavor for three Penn State students looking to help women "dress for success."

Sarah Erdman (senior-public relations and psychology), Erin Truxal (junior-public relations) and Jessica Zachar (junior-public relations) were assigned a project in their class, Communications 471 (Public Relations and Media Methods), to develop a communications plan that could potentially be sent to a client.

The classmates developed a plan to host a Penn State drive for Dress for Success, an international organization aimed at helping disadvantaged women get the professional clothing they need for job interviews.

The class did not require any of the students to actually manifest their projects, but the women said they found need in theirs. "We contacted the CEO of Dress for Success and she was very excited, because they had lots of needs, which also made me get excited," Truxal said.

Erdman said another reason the group brought the drive to State College was because the next closest affiliate of the organization is in Harrisburg, which they thought was too far from Penn State.

Since this is Penn State's first Dress for Success drive, turnout for the event has been questionable, Erdman said.

"We hope to get about 30 suits, but we're not sure about how much support we will see, since it is so new," she said.

Sandra Mortensen (graduate-human development and family sciences) donated a variety of items to the drive.

"I've known about the corporation, and I saw a flier that said there was a drive close by," she said. "I was actually going to give [the clothing] to Goodwill until I heard about [Dress for Success]."

Although there are no official plans for Dress for Success to continue having drives at Penn State, the group said that it is a possibility.

Renea Nichols, the communications instructor for the class, has information for future students in the class to take on the project if they are interested.

Donators are asked to bring modern, professional women's clothing, especially suits sizes 14 and up. Jewelry and other accessories will also be accepted. The group asks that all clothing is clean and on a hanger in ready-to-wear condition. Financial donations are also accepted, and tax deductions are available for contributions.