The Art of Giving

Two of my favorite people on this earth come together to explain their take on giving and receiving and when it is actually best NOT to give. Jodi Puhalla Neumann really started living her passion when she started at REACH – Rural Enrichment And Counseling Headquarters, an organization dedicated to helping people in their rural communities get the assistance they need to live happy and fruitful lives. Liz Fevig Hager is expanding that mission into the Fargo, ND market to reach even more people and expand the beauty of clearing clutter while benefiting others in the process.

Included in their many services are REACH Reusables Thrift Store, Dress for Success® , Family Support program which assists local families with basic needs such as food from a food pantry, clothing, shelter and the newly titled “REACH OUT” educational programs which plans to expand by providing information to the public on topics such as Alzheimer’s Disease, hospice care and teen substance abuse.

If interesting in learning more about REACH, you can check out their website or call Jodi at 218-483-3145.

And if this new year has found you clearing out your closets and you would like to see your business attire go to a good cause, you can locate a Dress for Success organization near you on this site.

BONUS promo video…

Leave a Comment

  • Wow, I loooove success stories like this! Not only because of the wonderful idea of this organization – to enable and empower people by providing appropriate clothes for interviews (and receive a starter kit of outfits if they get the job); but also because of the authenticity of Liz who seems truly to have found her purpose!
    I have two big bags full of perfectly good clothes standing here (the result of my end of year decluttering) and I would love to donate them to a cause like this. Pity I’m so far away 🙂 It’s always nice to know you’re helping someone when you give something away, but it’s way more fulfilling when it has a specific purpose like this.
    Wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing this!

  • Anja, thank you for your message, I so agree! Actually, Dress for Success is worldwide, so if you google it, I believe you will be able to find a location near you. Thank you for the reminder, I will add that information above. Happy New Year to you and your decluttered closet!

  • Thanks for this interview Shelia! As a member of a rural community I love REACH’s mission and see the need for resources like that in my community. So, so wonderful to see women helping women through Dress for Success. There are parallels between the work that Jodi does dressing women for success and my branding work for clients, that I hadn’t thought of before …the resulting change in how women hold themselves proudly for an interview when dressed well and how it feels to present a new website to the world. I love being able to help women shine and it’s apparent Jodi and Liz do, too.

  • Christie, that is such a good point, any work that helps a person step into their true, full power is transformational, to say the least. Thanks for your input.

  • What a great organization and so true … many rural towns don’t have those resources. And I am such a fan of Dress for Success … helping people “see” themselves as successful is so important to helping them actually BE successful. It’s a transformational experience for women. Cheers to this organization!!

    And loved the photo album w/ embedded video graphic at the lead in to the video. VERY cool. Well done putting that great extra touch on your brand. Impressed with that.

  • As always, your Goddess post is amazingly inspiring! I love how they are not just focused on one issue but on the spectrum of helping women create a better life for themselves (and without having them feel like they are simply taking a handout). Add in the fact that it creates and supports a cycle of giving for everyone is fabulous. It certainly makes me think about ways that I can be a giver to programs like this and actively be involved in programs that encourage giving and receiving.

  • What a difference it makes to have the clothes you need to interview and go to that job! When i began working for myself, I went through my closet and gathered all the business clothes I “knew” I would never wear again myself. But that someone else could use. So, I actually gave them to the Dress For Success in my city. I was so impressed with it back then, and even more so now. What a wonderful organization ! The whole idea of giving and receiving. Thank you for this great interview.

  • Thanks Jennifer, I appreciate your kind words.

    Pat, I am so happy you have had a first hand experience with the beauty of this organization and the difference you have made in some womens’ lives. Thank you for exercising your ability to instill positive change. You are greatly appreciated!!