Happy New Year!

In a previous blog post, I discussed recycling old, unwanted uniforms as a way to keep them out of the landfills. But today, I read an article that reminded me not all uniformed professionals are in a rush to dump their old duds. Some hang onto their uniforms because they're a source of pride or a reminder of a certain period of time. Others transform their uniforms into something very special and meaningful to them, as I learned in this article from NorthJersey.com.

The article discusses a program for veterans called Combat Papers, which transforms their old uniforms into paper that can be used for creative pursuits like painting, drawing, or writing. This program helps veterans express their feelings, which, as soldiers are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with posttraumatic stress disorder, is more important than ever.

I'll let you read the article for yourself, but I wanted to share it because it has inspired me to make a (new) new year's resolution: This year, I'm going to try and remember that uniforms aren't just fabric and stitches, and that the people behind the uniforms are the most important people to consider whenever I am putting together a uniform program. In an industry that can sometimes feel a little dry, stories like this remind us that what we do is important and meaningful.

Thanks for reading!