It is a good thing once in a while to take a moment to recognize the individuals who go out of their way to contribute to making Suffolk such a great place to live.

Today, we devote this space to honoring one such person, this one a transplant to Suffolk, who has made it a personal mission to step out in service to others in the city, and to a plug for one of her latest efforts.

You might not have met Margie Wiley yet, but if you spend any amount of time engaged in community service organizations here in Suffolk or if you get involved in the philanthropic or other community activities that take place here, you probably will meet her eventually. When you do, you’re likely to be amazed at her energy and enthusiasm for the causes whose goal is to improve the lives of the people of Suffolk.

Wiley, a financial adviser for Edward Jones, spends countless hours each year contributing her talents and enthusiasm to such efforts.

As a member of Suffolk Business Women, she has been instrumental in the organization’s successful wine festival. As a member of the board of directors for the Rotary Club of Suffolk, she works to ensure that organization’s philanthropic efforts are effective and inclusive. As the face of this newspaper’s Cheer Fund, she works tirelessly to promote its goal of raising money to fund the purchase of toys for distribution by the Salvation Army to children at Christmas. And she’s closely involved in many other such efforts throughout the city.

In a largely individual local effort for the past couple of years, Wiley has overseen the collection of business attire for women in the annual Dress for Success clothing drive, which collects clothes for disadvantaged women. Wiley even goes so far as to fund advertising to promote the collection drive.

The Dress for Success organization takes women recommended by Social Services and teaches them how to interview, write resumes and obtain job skills. Once they complete the course, they are able to select three outfits to wear on job interviews. As time goes on, they can acquire more outfits.

This is Wiley’s third year hosting the drive. She collected about 500 pieces of clothing at her office the past two years.

To donate, take the clothes to Wiley’s office at 3005 Corporate Lane, Suite 300, during normal business hours through Sept. 23. The clothes do not have to be laundered beforehand. A partnership with a dry cleaner takes care of that, Wiley said. Call 539-5800 for more information.

For more information on how to get help through the Dress for Success program, call 961-7148 or visit hamptonroads.dressforsuccess.org.

Folks like Margie Wiley — and there are many in Suffolk — make this city the fine place that it is. We appreciate their commitment to helping others.