St. Pauly is a Western New York company dedicated to helping non-profit organizations with their fundraising by collecting used clothing. It was founded in 1996 by best friends Paul Callarame and Joe DeGeorge equipped with a pick-up truck and a dream.
Paul, with experience in the used clothing industry, saw a massive amount of clothing in our communities ending up in landfills. He approached his best friend, Joe DeGeorge to start St. Pauly to combat that problem. The two came up with the idea of collecting used clothing in the Rochester, N.Y. area and shipping it all over the U.S. and world while helping out local non-profits.
Along with family members, the two started small, working in communities all over Rochester, NY leaving behind informational fliers and a smile. They waited in a small warehouse in Henrietta for people to call asking for a clothing pick-up. They would, and still travel long distances for only a few bags, working under the idea that customer service and involvement in the community is not only rewarding, but fun!
St. Pauly started to hold clothing drives at schools, churches and other community organizations. In 1998 they moved to a larger warehouse on Mushroom Boulevard in Henrietta to accommodate growth.
A turning point came when they began using a wooden drop-off shed was outside of their building in order to accommodate community members who wanted to drop off clothing.
In 2004, St. Pauly moved to Farmington, N.Y. Now, St. Pauly works with more than 300 non-profit, community organizations every year. More than 200 community groups host drop-off sheds all over the Western NY region. Each of these non-profit groups is able to raise a significant amount of their fundraising needs through the relationship with St. Pauly. In 2007, more than 38 million garments were distributed to an estimated 3.8 million people all over the world! In addition, St. Pauly now has a sister company in New Jersey and is currently expanding all over New York State.
In 2007, Joey Howlett, Joe’s oldest son, joined the company after an eight year career as a high school music teacher. Joe’s second son, Ben is joining St. Pauly upon completion of college at SUNY Geneseo in May of 2009.
St. Pauly continues to pride itself on its involvement in the community, respectful business practices, ethical management style, local employment, and always “doing the right thing.”
Paul, with experience in the used clothing industry, saw a massive amount of clothing in our communities ending up in landfills. He approached his best friend, Joe DeGeorge to start St. Pauly to combat that problem. The two came up with the idea of collecting used clothing in the Rochester, N.Y. area and shipping it all over the U.S. and world while helping out local non-profits.
Along with family members, the two started small, working in communities all over Rochester, NY leaving behind informational fliers and a smile. They waited in a small warehouse in Henrietta for people to call asking for a clothing pick-up. They would, and still travel long distances for only a few bags, working under the idea that customer service and involvement in the community is not only rewarding, but fun!
St. Pauly started to hold clothing drives at schools, churches and other community organizations. In 1998 they moved to a larger warehouse on Mushroom Boulevard in Henrietta to accommodate growth.
A turning point came when they began using a wooden drop-off shed was outside of their building in order to accommodate community members who wanted to drop off clothing.
In 2004, St. Pauly moved to Farmington, N.Y. Now, St. Pauly works with more than 300 non-profit, community organizations every year. More than 200 community groups host drop-off sheds all over the Western NY region. Each of these non-profit groups is able to raise a significant amount of their fundraising needs through the relationship with St. Pauly. In 2007, more than 38 million garments were distributed to an estimated 3.8 million people all over the world! In addition, St. Pauly now has a sister company in New Jersey and is currently expanding all over New York State.
In 2007, Joey Howlett, Joe’s oldest son, joined the company after an eight year career as a high school music teacher. Joe’s second son, Ben is joining St. Pauly upon completion of college at SUNY Geneseo in May of 2009.
St. Pauly continues to pride itself on its involvement in the community, respectful business practices, ethical management style, local employment, and always “doing the right thing.”
History
Email: St.Pauly.WNY@gmail.com
