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Dateline: 5/4/2009

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY NEWS RELEASE
Dale Goodwin, Director
Peter Tormey, Associate Director

Students Gave 'Piece a Chance' with Project
Only a few weeks ago, the steps of Crosby Student Center at Gonzaga University overflowed with clothes donated for Teen Closet, a local charity that provides clothes to foster children. Gonzaga students lugged bags stuffed to the brim with new and used clothes, hoping to give them to those in need while doing their own spring-cleaning. They posed for snapshots with a heart-shaped sign that read: “I Gave Piece a Chance” and donated clothes in exchange for purple and green “Jigsaw” bags.

The clothes drive was hosted by GU marketing students and Jigsaw boutique (601 W. Main Ave.), as part of a semester-long promotional campaign designed to encourage students to donate their clothing “pieces” to Teen Closet and check out trendy, new “pieces” at Jigsaw. The campaign played off of the women’s clothing boutique’s puzzle-associated name, with the slogan “Give Piece a Chance.”

The promotional campaign concluded last month with “Compassion through Fashion,” a shopping event at Jigsaw boutique. Any student who donated clothing or accessories on campus received a puzzle piece coupon that doubled as an invitation to the “Compassion through Fashion” shopping event, and a surprise discount on any purchase at Jigsaw. The event aimed to thank students who donated, and included free limo service, raffle prizes, makeup demonstrations and store discounts.

Student pictures along with more than 2,000 pieces of clothing collected for Teen Closet were displayed in a massive heart-shape in the boutique’s windows as a way to show Gonzaga students’ “compassion for fashion” and contributions to the local charity. 

As a part of the Gonzaga Marketing 490 Promotion Project course, these seniors created their own marketing agency, Creatif Consulting, and partnered with Jigsaw boutique to create a marketing campaign and promotional event targeting the GU community. Creatif’s goal was to generate more awareness of Jigsaw among GU students, faculty and staff. Members of Creatif wanted to help Jigsaw gain more exposure on campus, and contribute to a worthy cause. 

Several local businesses also helped support the cause and donated prizes to the event including: Thomas Hammer Coffee, Boo Radley’s, Jaazz Salon, The Pita Pit, Auntie's Bookstore, Spokandy, Bruttles, The Zag Shop, Marquee Lounge, Taste Café, and Spokane Metro Magazine.

For more information about the course, contact Associate Professor Peggy Sue Loroz at (509) 313-3433 or via e-mail .