Clothesline Project Outfits Kids for School

2022 Q3

Earlier this year, Matson Senior Human Resources Manager Pam Zagrocki went to her regular cycling class at /vīb/ cycle in Anchorage. After class, while talking with the owners, she had an idea.

“They were chatting about a fundraiser, and the Clothesline Project came up,” said Zagrocki. Matson had previously worked with the Clothesline Project, and Zagrocki suggested they partner on a fundraiser.

The Clothesline Project is an annual back-to-school clothing and supplies drive organized by Anchorage Cops for Community (AC4C). Thousands of needy students have received free backpacks, school supplies, jackets, clothes, and more through the program.

For the fundraiser with Matson, the owners of /vıˉ b/ cycle pulled their stationary bikes out into their parking lot and hosted a cycling battle between Anchorage police officers and firefighters.

After 45 minutes, the firefighters had recorded the most miles and were crowned winners. Corporate sponsors and individual riders pledged to donate a certain amount of money per mile, and some donated a fixed amount. The event raised more than $14,000, including $5,000 from Matson.

“One of our big drivers is to support our community,” said /vıˉ b/ cycle coowner Lindsey Sawicki. She and her business partner Jacenda Fletcher said they’ve always been driven to create a space beyond exercise, and the Clothesline Project fundraiser fits right into that vision.

The program also aligns with Matson’s corporate values, especially to improve the quality of life in communities where employees live and work.

“I’m the proudest about what Matson does for our communities,” said Zagrocki. “I think it’s wonderful that we can support many nonprofits.”

Matson and AC4C first worked together to support the Clothesline Project in 2021 when AC4C asked for a container donation to store supplies. Jon Butler, an officer with the Anchorage Police Department and volunteer board member for AC4C, said he wasn’t expecting Matson to say yes. He’d been stashing supplies like clothing racks wherever he could find space around police headquarters.

But Matson did say yes, and the partnership continues to grow.

“Time and time again, Matson has come through in invaluable ways,” said Butler. “I’d be at a loss if we didn’t have them as a partner.”

In addition to this year’s Clothesline Project fundraiser, Matson again loaned a container for storage, gathered donations from employees through bins at work and provided volunteers to help with the distribution of supplies on August 6.

Over the past eight years, the distribution event has expanded and now includes free haircuts, face painting, and bounce houses for kids. That growth, Butler says, is possible only because of generous donations of time and money, like Matson’s.