Lapels Dry Cleaning Spring Clothing Drive for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation literally generates tons of success—next Lapels sponsored drive to be held in October 2006.

DATELINE: HANOVER, MA… No wonder “Big Brother” Lawrence Friedman, CEO of Lapels, is beaming —the latest Clothing Drive for the benefit of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation sponsored by 17 Lapels Dry Cleaning stores in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island literally generated TONS of clothing!

Friedman is thrilled, “I’ve had the absolutely amazing experience of being a Big Brother for the past eight years and on behalf of “littles” everywhere who will benefit from this clothing drive, I would like to give a heartfelt thanks to our loyal Lapels’ patrons and franchisees who participated in the success of this effort.”

Look for the next Lapels’ Dry Cleaning Clothing Drive to benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation, which will be coming to your neighborhood Lapels next October!

During the last week in April patrons of the following the following Lapels stores heeded the effort to clean out their closets: Abington, Boston, Concord, Dedham, Easton, Framingham, Halifax, Hanover, Newton, Norton, Rockland, Salem, Westford, and Westwood in Massachusetts; Hudson and Manchester in New Hampshire; and Lincoln in Rhode Island. Overall, Lapels Dry Cleaning collected 246 bags for a total of over 5,500 pounds of clothing.

The gently used clothing collected by Lapels will be distributed to Big Brothers Big Sisters consignment shops, where the net proceeds from the sales of these items will support the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships.

Lapels Community Commitment
Lapels is committed to being a good neighbor. The Spring Clothing Drive was the second that Lapels has sponsored to benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation, with a third clothing drive scheduled for October 2006. In addition, Lapels has also worked in conjunction with the American Red Cross to encourage blood donations through campaigns in their stores and by sponsoring blood drives.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters serves over 200,000 children, ages 6 through 18, in 5,000 communities across all 50 states, establishing successful mentoring relationships for all children who need and want them, contributing to better schools, brighter futures, and stronger communities for all. Big Brothers Big Sisters one-to-one mentoring makes a huge difference for the youth it serves by helping at-risk youth overcome the many challenges they face.

Big Brothers Big Sisters was selected by Forbes Magazine as one of its top ten charities, making the publication’s “gold star” list of charities which it believes are worthy of donor consideration, in its annual survey of 200 large charities. The magazine surveyed 200 non-profits and rated them on how efficiently they collect and distribute dollars. Forbes looked at three categories: charitable commitment, fundraising efficiency, and donor dependency.

A Rising Star
In 2005, Lapels was ranked in Entrepreneur’s “Franchise 500” as well as Entrepreneur’s “Top 50 New Franchises,” identifying Lapels as one of today’s top franchise opportunities. Entrepreneur's “Franchise 500” is the best and most comprehensive rating of franchises in the world and is based on objective, quantifiable measures of a franchise operation.

The Lapels Difference
With Lapels’ unique outsourcing advantage, Lapels storeowners outsource dry cleaning operations, providing the best possible service and quality to customers while caring for the environment. With the establishment of franchisee owned Lapels Earth Friendly dry cleaning plants in Massachusetts, Lapels retail store franchisees will have unprecedented access to wholesale dry cleaning that meets Lapels rigorous standards, providing better quality at a better price.

Lapels franchise owners benefit from exclusive territories, group purchasing power, job security and unlimited earning potential. Lapels offers franchisees full training and support in every aspect of the business and a comprehensive start-up package that includes: a point-of sale computer system; an automatic clothing conveyer; a wedding gown program; retail products to sell; indoor and outdoor signage with all needed permits; a grand opening marketing package; and advertising promotion to 10,000 homes. Lapels also provides franchisees a custom web site with email, on-going training and support, custom counters, start up supplies, and much more.

Store Locations
Lapels has stores in Massachusetts (Abington, Boston, Concord, Dedham, Easton, Framingham, Halifax, Hanover, Newton, Norton, Quincy, Rockland, Salem, Westford, and Westwood); New Hampshire (Hudson and Manchester); Rhode Island (Lincoln); and Texas (Garland). Lapels is also coming soon to Baton Rouge, LA.

Lapels – Earth Friendly Cleaners
A full slate of services are offered at each Lapels store, including: same-day dry cleaning; shirt service; tailoring; shoe repair; wedding gown heirlooming; suede and leather processing; box storage and fur storage.

Lapels corporate offices are located at 962 Washington Street, Hanover, MA 02339. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Lapels, call toll free (866) 695-2735 or email admin@lapelsdrycleaning.com. Additional information and up-to-date company news can also be found on the company’s Web site, www.lapelsdrycleaning.com.