You'll notice that I use quite a bit of Goodwill items in crafts or event preparations. Goodwill is one of the first places I go to in searching for items to recreate. Of course, one of the main reasons for this is because you can find unique items that are inexpensive, but the other reason I shop Goodwill is because I believe in the cause itself.
The Goodwill mission is simple:
Goodwill sells donated goods to provide employment and training opportunities for people who have disabilities and others who have trouble finding and keeping jobs.
I recently was invited by the staff of Goodwill to take a tour of the main Nashville facility. This is the main sorting and distribution center for 32 Tennessee stores. Talk about impressive!! I truly couldn't believe my eyes!
See those blue bins? They are HUGE and they are filled with donations to be sorted. Everything from children's books to purses to televisions to clothes. Every single piece of clothing is put onto a hanger. Placing clothes on hangers is a job that is provided by Goodwill for a person who needs work.
While Goodwill is considered a nonprofit, it does not actively raise money. That is very rare in the nonprofit world. The donations that come in are processed and sold at the stores and the money it makes goes right back into the programs. These programs not only provide jobs but also job training and skill training. It gives people skills they need to learn to live successfully on their own.
In touring the process, it is a well oiled machine, to say the least. But the best part is the people. The people that work there are positive and welcoming and thrilled to be working. They take their jobs very seriously and are grateful to Goodwill and their supporters for giving them a job and a purpose. Their faces beam with pride.
This year has been both good and bad for Goodwill. With the slow economy, more and more people are shopping at Goodwill due to their great prices. While the influx of shoppers is fabulous, donations are having a hard time keeping up with the need.
With this being the last week of 2009, I want to use this post to encourage you to give it to Goodwill. This is the last week to get your tax deductions of the year by donating to a non-profit and I encourage you to choose Goodwill as one of your causes.
It's easy to donate to Goodwill. No money needed! Please start your new year's organizing early, clean out a closet or two or your garage and donate items to your local Goodwill. It will feel great to start the year fresh with less clutter AND know you're supporting a great program as the same time!
Thanks for the reminder, I always give my stuff to Goodwill but rarely by there because the prices are pretty high. But I could just be too frugal after shopping at garage sales that past few years.
Posted by: Andi | December 28, 2009 at 05:50 AM
Great post and reminder. I'm an avid shopper and donater to Goodwill. One man's trash is truly another man's treasure!
Posted by: amy | December 28, 2009 at 06:46 AM
Thank you for writing this excellent explanation of the Goodwill Mission. It is a truly wonderful organization that also helps our planet by keeping so very many things out of the landfill! You know that makes me happy.
Posted by: nakedjen | January 02, 2010 at 10:31 PM
Thanks...we always donate to Goodwill...it is so easy and near my DH's work, so he gets to drop it off and go look around for the perfect "ugly sweater" that he has in mind...
Posted by: jessica | January 13, 2010 at 11:56 AM