Although it’s not uncommon for charities to receive donations of used clothing to be distributed to needy recipients, Stephanie Kole—owner of Stephanie’s Kloset in Larchmont and a 15-year veteran of the retail industry—understood that sometimes it’s nice to have clothing that was meant just for you.

Kole was inspired to make her first donation—$5,700 worth of new merchandise from her tween/junior clothing store to the Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle—after witnessing the damage wrought by Tropical Storm Irene, displacing many local families. The Boys and Girls Club is an organization that provides afterschool and summer programs for underprivileged young people.

“They wrapped the clothes up for Christmas,” she said.

Kole, a Port Chester resident who is originally from Rockland County, didn’t stop there.  She recently donated an additional $6,500 worth of clothing to the Westchester Jewish Community Services' (WJCS) Kid's Kloset, a not-for-profit organization that provides new and gently-used clothing to local social service agencies, houses of worship and schools.

Although many retailers discount unsold clothing from the previous fashion season in order to make room for new merchandise, more often than not, the fashion cycle only dictates what retailers are putting on the shelves and not necessarily the weather outside.

“At the end of the season, I can keep the discount or give it to someone that desperately needs it,” said Kole, explaining how she preferred to donate end-of- season merchandise.

On Jan. 28-29, Stephanie’s Kloset will be collecting gently used or new clothing to be donated.  Kole will be offering 40 percent off merchandise for donation only on these days as well.  There will also be a drop-off donation box next door at Vieria Organics in Larchmont.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this article stated that $6,500 worth of new clothing would be donated to a Rockland organization; that has been changed to the Kid's Kloset in White Plains.