HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Young men in Hillsborough County are suiting up.

On Friday, nearly 90 high schoolers got fitted and sized for suits as part of the annual "Suit up and Show up" program.

"Suit and ties help me look professional," said student Jeremiah Horton. "If I have an interview, I'll look sharp."

The Corporation to Develop Communities put on the annual event.

The suits were donated by Men's Wearhouse and members of the community. 

The high schoolers also picked out donated ties, socks and shirts. Organizers said it's a way to prepare young men for life.

"The suits really represent not only that they can dress up and feel good about themselves, but also to know that the community cares for them," said CEO of Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa Ernest Coney Jr.

"So each suit also represents that someone invested in their life. So anytime they put on that suit, put on that tie, put on that shirt, they know that somebody invested in them."

Organizers began holding the "Suit up and Show up" event six years ago. It was after 17-year-old John Singleton was killed.

The rising young leader wore his first suit for his funeral.

"We don't want to have suits only for kids to have dreams deferred," Coney said. "We want to have them to have suits that they can achieve all their dreams while they're here with us."