How FRS Turned a Local Clothing Drive Into Global Change
In the receivables management industry, few stories embody the power of community quite like the remarkable clothing drive initiated by Financial Recovery Services (FRS), which mobilized a city, secured international partnerships, and changed lives on another continent.
From a Simple Idea to a Citywide Movement
What started as a grassroots effort to gather gently used clothing grew into something extraordinary when FRS envisioned filling a 40-foot shipping container with donations. Inspired by the belief that “we can always do more,” FRS collaborated with the City of Mounds View, Minnesota, led by Mayor Zach Lindstrom who is an FRS alum. Together, they organized a city-sponsored drive that turned residents into global changemakers.
Community-Powered Purpose
Throughout the summer, the container which was donated by Big Blue Boxes, sat at the city’s Public Works site. Residents, employees, and local organizations contributed not only used items but also thousands of brand new clothing sourced by buying out inventories from stores like Daily Thread.
This wasn’t just an act of charity, it was a meaningful example of what can happen when a business and a community come together with a shared purpose. FRS’s initiative shows how much impact is possible when businesses step up as true community partners, working side-by-side with local leaders and residents to make a difference.
Logistics on a Global Scale
Once filled, the container was shipped via train to the East Coast, then placed on a cargo vessel for a 35-day journey to Monrovia, Liberia. The shipping and customs fees were swiftly covered by FRS, showcasing the team’s unwavering commitment to completing the mission.
A Lifeline for the Disability Motivational Network
Upon arrival, the container was met by Agnes, co-founder of the Disability Motivational Network, an organization that works with disabled individuals, particularly with the abandoned children in Liberia.
Having grown up in Mission of Hope, an orphanage for disabled children in Monrovia, the couple now leads this life-changing initiative from their base in Blaine, Minnesota.
With compassion at their heart, the couple precisely distributed the goods across Monrovia in organized batches—ensuring fairness, dignity, and impact.
“It’s one of those efforts where every dollar and every hour goes straight to the people who need it. There’s no red tape, just results,” said Wade Davis from FRS, the project’s architect.
Scaling Good Deeds with Purpose
The FRS story is more than an example of charity. It’s a case study in scalable, ethical, and impactful community building. By aligning industry leadership with local outreach and global compassion, FRS demonstrated that our industry can be both profitable and principled.
Why It Matters
This initiative illustrates how being an active member of the community both locally and globally, can lead to real, lasting change. It challenges us to ask—how can we use our infrastructure, our networks, and our credibility to empower real change?
When your company takes part in campaigns like these, you’re not just giving back. You’re building public trust, deepening internal culture, and strengthening your role as a community partner.
