Ambassador SUMMER 2014
MT. JULIET GRAND OPENING
A FAMILY TRADITION Gift Ideas for Dad Goodwill Week Partnering with the Red Cross
Kim and Kaylee Davidson Shopping for Bargains
Ambassador SUMMER 2014
President and CEO Matthew Bourlakas
Publisher
Karl Houston
Senior Director of Marketing & Community Relations
Editor and Writer Jamie Berry
PR & Communications Manager
Art Director EJ Kerr
Manager of Creative Services Ambassador is a quarterly magazine published by Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc., 1015 Herman Street, Nashville, TN 37208. For the nearest retail store, donation center, or Career Solutions center, please call 800.545.9231 or visit www.giveit2goodwill.org. Ambassador provides readers with stories of the events, activities and people who support the mission of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee. We are pleased to provide you this information and hope you will share our publication with others. Please note that the opinions expressed in Ambassador do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official position of management or employees of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.
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Did You Know? 2013 By The Numbers I Got it at Goodwill Last Minute Ideas for Dad on Father’s Day Goodwill Success Stories Goodwill Week Mt. Juliet Grand Opening Goodwill’s 5th Annual Wedding Gala Teaming Up To Help In Times of Disaster College Students in the Giving Spirit I Change Lives
Board of Directors OFFICERS
Chairperson: Donna B. Yurdin
Legal Counsel: Christopher S. Dunn & Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP
Vice Chairman: Fred McLaughlin
Goodwill President and CEO: Matthew S. Bourlakas
Secretary: Julie F. Wilson
Goodwill VP and Chief Operating Officer: Tammy B. Glass
Treasurer: Dave M. Fentress
Goodwill VP and Chief People Officer: Betty J. Johnson
DIRECTORS
Kathryn S. Gibson
Todd A. Spaanstra
Chad M. Grout
John W. Stone, III*
J. B. Baker
Jeffrey A. Hoffman*
Kathryn I. Thompson
Philip G. Hull
John C. Tishler*
Decosta E. Jenkins
John Van Mol
Robert B. Kennedy
Jeff Young
R. Craig Laine
*Ex Officio
Ryan R. Loyd
TRUSTEES
Woodretta Allen Bryan L. Bean
The Goodwill Mission
Steele Clayton
provide employment and training
Gary W. Cordell
We sell donated goods to
opportunities for people who have disabilities and others who have trouble finding and keeping jobs.
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Ambassador Summer 2014
David L. Condra Andrew Davidson Robert W. Duthie Dave M. Fentress James B. Foley
Robert McNeilly Ty H. Osman Christine E. Skold
Fred T. McLaughlin Robert B. Kennedy Robert W. Duthie
Our business is changing lives.
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Thrifting Nashville wrote: I found this at the Brentwood store for $1.99. It still has the $42 Nordstrom tag on it!
got it at Goodwill Do you have some fabulous finds in your home or closet that you purchased at Goodwill? Share them with us on Facebook or Twitter, and we might feature them in our next edition! Austin wrote: $115 for everything! I’m still in shock! #deals #bargainhunters
Amanda wrote: Forget #MeltingPot. I just scored this amazing fondue set at Goodwill for $9.99! Now where is the gruyere?
GREAT FINDS AND DEALS FROM GOODWILL SHOPPERS
Dana wrote: I got all of this from Goodwill for $10. The bug zapper alone retailed for $14.99.
Felicia wrote: Goodwill find! Brand new Coldwater Creek tweed blazer with the $99.95 tag still attached. I paid only $4.
Bethany wrote: Today we knocked out some summer reading purchases for Miss Lauren at Goodwill. We got all five for $5.
Follow us at
giveit2goodwill
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Our business is changing lives.
LAST MINUTE
IDEAS FOR Dad
Father’s Day is just days away. If you’re still searching for the perfect gift, here are some ideas that won’t break the bank.
• • • Are you looking for a cute and creative idea for dad? How about a custom Father’s Day photo print! How great would it be to recreate this idea each year to show how much the kids have grown and changed. Frames at Goodwill start at 99¢.
• • • Why pay department store prices when you can purchase Dad a designer tie at Goodwill for $1.99. You can find a wide variety of ties at the Goodwill store nearest you.
• • • Does Dad like to tee it up? You can score some great clubs at Goodwill. You can get a great driver, putter or sand wedge for as little as .99¢. A whole set of clubs at Goodwill starts at $12.99.
• Not sure what to get? You can always purchase a Goodwill gift card and let your dad pick out his own gift.
Ambassador Summer 2014
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Joel
Joel spent 52 years in the household moving and storage business,
Give purpose
relocating people worldwide. He was in his seventies when he finally retired, but he soon realized retirement life wasn’t for him. “It lasted about two years, and then I just decided I wanted to go back to
work,” he said. “I kind of had a plan on what I wanted to do, and I thought Goodwill would just be perfect.”
So Joel’s job search started with a visit to Goodwill Career Solutions in Franklin. “I had written out my resumé, and the administrative assistant at Career Solutions graciously typed it up for me.”
GOODWILL
Success Stories Kenneth
After serving three years in prison, Kenneth went to work for a local
Give potential
company. Thirteen months later, his past came back to haunt him. “The company knew I had a felony, but when new management came in, they ran a background check and let me go,” he said.
“Actually, I got promoted to a dispatcher on Thursday, and they dismissed me on Saturday.”
For the next two years Kenneth applied for dozens of jobs, but he
couldn’t find work. That’s when Kenneth turned to Career Solutions for help. Three months later, Goodwill offered him a job.
Kenneth worked as a material handler in one of Goodwill’s
Cindy In 2007, Cindy lost her husband. A year later, she lost her job. “It was
Give confidence
a very difficult time,” she said.
Cindy had been out of work for a year and a half when she stopped by the Goodwill Career Solutions center in Jackson for help. Just a
few months after enrolling in the program, Goodwill offered Cindy a
job as a donation attendant at the Goodwill store in Humboldt where she worked for about a year until the store closed.
Before the store closed, Cindy’s district manager lined up an
interview for her with Goodwill’s donations supervisor in West
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Ambassador Summer 2014
Our business is changing lives.
During his visit, Joel expressed his interest in
working for Goodwill. “They called a manager over from the store, and the manager
interviewed me that day. I was really thrilled to get the job.”
That was three years ago. Today, Joel is still working as a sales associate at the Franklin
store on Murfreesboro Road. He spends his days running a register and interacting with
others. “Goodwill has given me a purpose for
getting up every morning,” he said. “I love my co-workers and my customers.”
Joel celebrated his 83rd birthday on April 4,
and he says he will continue to work as long
as he is able. “Goodwill has changed my life considerably, and I think working here has
actually extended my life,” he said. “I now feel
like I have a few good years left in me, and I’m happy that someone can utilize them.”
“I don’t have to depend on others to take care of me,” she said. “I can actually make a living for myself, which I couldn’t do before.” downtown Nashville warehouses. After
Kenneth says it’s nice to be able to help
supervisor. “Someone saw my potential,” he
“When I lost that job five years ago, it
two years, he was promoted to assistant said with a grin.
Kenneth’s supervisor, Dollie Lillard, said she saw his potential right away. “He is honest and dependable, and he goes above and
others the way Goodwill has helped him. dampened my spirits, but Goodwill has
uplifted me and given me another chance at life,” he said. “I can now provide for my family.”
beyond to get the job done,” she said. “One
Five years ago, Kenneth was unsure of his
difficulty getting to work because of bus
ahead. “Because of Goodwill, I have a
Saturday, several co-workers were having
issues. He piled as many people as he could in his car and drove them to work.”
future. Today, he is excited about what lies better life.”
Tennessee. At the time, Brian Martin
Cindy said having a steady job at Goodwill
in Jackson.
become independent. “I don’t have to
needed to fill a donation attendant position On the day of the interview, Cindy’s car
broke down, but she was determined to
get there on time. “When the Medina police
for the last five years has allowed her to depend on others to take care of me,”
she said. “I can actually make a living for myself, which I couldn’t do before.”
chief stopped to help Cindy, she talked him
The job has provided Cindy with more than
Jackson,” said Martin. “This is what sold
raised my self-esteem,” she said. “I am
into driving her 15 miles to her interview in me on her ability to get things done and overcome obstacles.”
Ambassador Summer 2014
a paycheck. “Working for Goodwill has
now a confident person. I can walk around with my head held high.”
Our business is changing lives.
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MAY 5th-9th
78 1,860 EVENTS IN 5 DAYS
PEOPLE SERVED
“It’s been hard. I have a lot of physical limitations due to my size and lack of transportation. I’ve been out of work for over two years, and I was even homeless for a while.” - MARQUISI WESTON
Hired by Greyhound
H
ow can you assist nearly 1,900 people in their search
Goodwill Career Solutions kicked off the week by hosting 12
hosting job fairs, workshops and classes all geared
downtown Nashville Career Solutions center on Herman Street.
for work in one week? Celebrate Goodwill Week by
toward helping people find work.
Every year during the first full week of May, Goodwill agencies
events on Monday, May 5. Two of those events were held at the The first was a job fair success workshop followed by a job fair featuring more than 20 employers.
across the United States and Canada celebrate the power of
Marquisi Weston attended both of the events in hopes of finding
year in a row, Governor Bill Haslam supported that endeavor by
have a lot of physical limitations due to my size and lack of
work through local events and promotions. For the second
issuing a state proclamation declaring the first full week of May as Goodwill Week in Tennessee.
a job, but that has been a struggle for him. “It’s been hard. I
transportation,” said Weston. “I’ve been out of work for over two years, and I was even homeless for a while.”
Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee participated by hosting
West is currently staying at the Nashville Rescue Mission. On
Career Solutions centers across Middle and West Tennessee.
After graduating from program, he decided it was time to take
78 events, including more than 50 job fairs, at the 26 Goodwill “Goodwill Week is an intensified opportunity to connect job
seekers with employers,” said Matt Gloster, senior director of
Career Solutions. “The number of job fairs we would typically
April 25, he graduated from the Mission’s life-recovery program. that next step. Weston said, “I needed a job, and I figured that job fair success workshop would be a great place to start.”
host in a month, we do in one week.”
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59 207 HIRED ON THE SPOT
EMPLOYERS PRESENT
For the second year in a row, Governor Bill Haslam issued a state proclamation declaring the first full week of May as Goodwill Week in Tennessee.
The purpose of the workshop is to teach job seekers how to
Weston wasn’t the only one who found fast success. Fifty-nine
enlightening,” said Weston. “I learned how to sell myself in an
200 employers who participated in Goodwill Week. Many more
stand out at a job fair. For Weston, it was that and more. “It was interview, and it made me more confident.”
Weston put those new skills to the test just 30 minutes later at the job fair, and it paid off. Greyhound offered him a position
later that week. “My first day was May 16,” said Weston. “It feels
job seekers were hired on the spot by one of the more than
received a job offer later that month. “This is how we define
success,” said Gloster. “When someone gets a job, they are not only changing their life but the lives of their family members and all those around them.”
good to work again. It’s a blessing.”
Weston put those new skills to the test just 30 minutes later at the job fair, and it paid off. Greyhound offered him a position later that week. “My first day was May 16,” he said. “It feels good to work again. It’s a blessing.”
Ambassador Summer 2014
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MT. JULIET
GRAND OPENING
A FAMILY TRADITION
I
t was a grand opening that drew quite
Kaylee Davidson was showing off her Levi’s
arriving at the brand new Goodwill store
shopping trip to Goodwill. “I love finding
a crowd. Bargain shoppers started
in Mt. Juliet an hour before the celebration got underway on May 22. While shoppers
waited outside, Goodwill employees were inside making sure everything was ready for the grand opening.
sandals she purchased during a previous
cute stuff, especially shoes. I love shoes,”
said Kaylee Davidson. “You can find some
great clothes too. My sister and I both have found Miss Me jeans for $7.99 at Goodwill. They retail for as much as $100.”
The new facility is one of only a handful of
Shelby Davidson’s reason for shopping at
up. With more than 28,000 square feet, the
“I’m a unique person, and Goodwill is full of
stores Goodwill has built from the ground
new store is twice the size of the previous Mt. Juliet store. It also features a covered drive-thru for donations and Wilson
County’s first Career Solutions center. At 8:45 a.m., the Mt. Juliet / West Wilson
County Chamber of Commerce, Mt. Juliet Mayor Ed Hagerty, approximately 80
Goodwill employees and more than 200 shoppers gathered outside for the grand opening.
Goodwill is a bit different than her sister’s.
unique items,” said Shelby Davidson. “You also save a lot of money when you shop at Goodwill.”
Once inside, the Davidson’s were
impressed with the new store and the
selection. “We really love this store. It’s
big, well organized and very clean,” said Kim Davidson. “We’ve been to several
Goodwills in many states, and the Middle Tennessee stores are some of the best.”
The grand opening celebration continued
By 9:30 a.m., the Davidson’s had already
500 shoppers receiving a Goodwill tote
clothes in here, and a few other items,” said
when doors opened at 9 a.m. with the first bag. Those bags were gone by 10:15 a.m.
Guests could also register for a chance to win several Goodwill gift cards and an iPad mini.
Kim Davidson and her two daughters,
19-year-old Shelby and 16-year-old Kaylee, came all the way from Jamestown to shop at the new store. After a two-hour drive, they arrived minutes before the grand
opening celebration got underway. “I’ve
always loved Goodwill,” said Kim Davidson.
filled two shopping carts. “We have a lot of Kim Davidson. “Most of our clothes are from Goodwill.”
The Davidson’s finally made their way to the register around 10:30 a.m. “We got
everything for $97,” said Kim Davidson. “It was well worth the trip.”
Kim Davidson was one of 1,120 people who made a purchase on grand opening day. What a great day for Goodwill and for all those bargain shoppers.
“I grew up going to Goodwill with my
momma, and I’ve continued that tradition with my daughters.”
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GRAND OPENING INCLUDES JOB FAIR
Kim, Shelby and Kaylee Davidson
“I’ve always loved Goodwill,” said Kim Davidson. “I grew up going to Goodwill with my momma, and I’ve continued that tradition with my daughters.”
Goodwill Career Solutions celebrated grand opening day by hosting a job fair for several employers looking to fill more than 1,000 positions. Eleven employers were present including Staff Management | SMX, Holiday Inn and Goodwill. Openings ranged from management positions to general warehouse and clerical positions. Nearly 50 job seekers attended the fourhour event. Goodwill Career Solutions provides free one-on-one job training and placement services to people who need help looking for, finding and keeping a job. Each of the 27 Career Solutions centers is staffed with a career counselor who provides assistance with job searches, job applications, resumés and interviewing skills. There are also six computer programs, plus several certification and training courses including Call Center Training, Document Imaging Training, Custodial Certification and Forklift Certification. In addition, Goodwill Career Solutions centers regularly host job fairs for its 1,300 employer partners. These job fairs connect job seekers with employers looking to hire.
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GOODWILL’S 5TH ANNUAL WEDDING GALA
DRAWS A RECORD CROWD 699 DRESSES SOLD
T
hey came from Florida,
year. This included the delivery
When Waters finally made her
Kentucky and all across
designer dresses donated by area
wedding gown, her bridal slip,
Illinois, Alabama, Georgia,
Tennessee, and they came
early. The first bride arrived at
Goodwill’s Rivergate store nearly
13 hours before the doors opened on March 15, for the fifth annual Wedding Gala. By 10 p.m. the
night before, there were more than 40 people in line.
Trinity Waters was one of them. She, her mother and her two
sisters arrived around 9:30 p.m., after a three-hour drive from
Stantonville, Tennessee. “Our plan was to get a hotel room and arrive the next morning,” she said. “But when we saw people lined up
outside the store, we decided to skip the hotel room.”
While Waters and other anxious brides-to-be waited outside,
employees and event sponsors
TRINITY WATERS
worked inside to prepare for
Goodwill’s largest event of the
and set up of 1,500 brand new
bridal boutiques. More than 700 of those were wedding gowns worth as much as $6,000, all priced
under $400. All other dresses including prom, bridesmaid,
flower girl and mother’s dresses were priced under $30.
When the doors finally opened at
way to the register, she had her her rehearsal dinner dress, four
dresses for her bridesmaids and her mother’s dress. The price for everything came to $490. “The prices were just great,”
said Waters. “It was an amazing experience and well worth the drive and wait.”
6 a.m. on March 15, more than
Waters wasn’t the only bride-to-
the store. For Waters and the
two days, 699 dresses were sold.
500 people were lined up outside others who camped out overnight, the wait definitely paid off. “Being in the front of the line gave us an
advantage because we were able to grab as many dresses as we
be to find her dream dress. In just That’s a record number. A large
assortment of jewelry, veils, belts,
shoes and other accessories were also purchased.
could hold.”
The Wedding Gala items
Waters tried on more than a
brought in enough revenue to help
60 wedding gowns, and she
narrowed it down to three. Her
family helped her pick the one. “It’s just beautiful,” she said. “I feel like a princess.”
purchased during those two days nearly 90 people in their search for work. What a great event
for Goodwill and for all of those brides on a budget.
Waters purchased her wedding gown, bridal slip, rehearsal dinner dress, four dresses for her bridesmaids and her mother’s dress for $490.
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Our business is changing lives.
The Wedding Gala items purchased during those two days brought in enough revenue to help nearly 90 people in their search for work.
THE GOODWILL WEDDING GALA ISN’T JUST FOR BRIDES-TO-BE Tessa McKinnon first came
Erica Meredith arrived at
Gala in 2013 when she was
before the doors opened.
to the Goodwill Wedding
looking for a prom dress.
She found the perfect one
for under $30. She said her grandmother told her the dress was made for her.
When it was time to shop
for a prom dress this year.
McKinnon knew she would once again find something unique and special at the
Gala. And that she did. The high school senior found
this pink princess dress for under $30.
Ambassador Summer 2014
the Goodwill store 11 hours Unlike most of the women who had arrived before
her, Meredith would not
be walking down the aisle in her big purchase, but
across a stage. The pageant beauty said competing is
expensive, and one dress can cost thousands of
dollars. Meredith purchased three dresses at the sale for under $450 dollars, including the two pictured here.
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TEAMING UP TO HELP IN TIMES OF DISASTER
COLLEGE STUDENTS IN THE GIVING SPIRIT College students didn’t even have to leave their dorm to
make a donation to Goodwill. During the final two weeks of the spring semester, Goodwill placed donation containers in the lobbies of residence halls at 10 Middle and West
Tennessee colleges and universities. This gave students a convenient place to drop off the items they no longer needed before they headed home for the summer.
In just two weeks, students donated enough items to fill 89 On May 1, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee’s
Goodwill Cares program once again activated its disaster
partnership with the Nashville Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. A tornado swept through the area on April 28, destroying dozens of homes in Lincoln County.
large bins. We’re talking thousands of donations including clothing, linens, shoes, books and accessories. Goodwill
also received two futons, two televisions, nine refrigerators, five large rugs, two bookcases, 10 plastic storage units and two ironing boards.
Goodwill set up a donation trailer in the parking lot of the
12 BINS | 10 PLASTIC STORAGE UNITS 5 REFRIGERATORS | 5 LARGE RUGS | 2 FUTONS 2 BOOKCASES | 2 IRONING BOARDS
Piggly Wiggly on Huntsville Highway in Fayetteville, and the community responded. In just four days, more than 260
people dropped off donations at the site. In exchange for
the donations, Goodwill provided the Red Cross with more
than 80 Goodwill Cares gift cards which were given to their clients. “So many Lincoln County families lost everything
19.5 BINS 2 REFRIGERATORS
4 BINS
11.5 BINS 4 REFRIGERATORS
3 BINS
7 BINS
2 BINS
4 BINS
1 BIN
that day,” said Natisha Moultry, community relations
manager for Goodwill. “These Goodwill Cares gift cards will
allow them to purchase the items they really need right now.” Disasters create a wide range of emergency needs, more
than any one organization can meet. The partnership, which
was formed in April 2013, allows both organizations to better serve the community during a crisis. Moultry said, “When we work together, we can truly make a difference in the communities we serve.”
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LANE
COLLEGE
Our business is changing lives.
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CHANGE LIVES
Ramona Johnson Front Desk Receptionist
As a front desk receptionist on Goodwill’s corporate campus, Ramona Johnson is often a guest’s first impression of Goodwill. Johnson politely greets each and every person as they walk through the door. She also answers approximately 60 calls a day. Johnson’s position also involves security, which is something she had done previously for many years. Ramona Johnson spent 14 years in security and more than 25
years in the nursing field. During her time in health care, Johnson dealt with a series of health
problems. In a ten-year span,
she was diagnosed with breast cancer, tore her meniscus and
suffered a vertebral compression fracture that left her paralyzed from the waist down for three
months. But it was a shoulder
injury that changed everything.
Johnson lost her job, her home
and her hope. For two years, she would remain unemployed.
What brought you to Goodwill? After working most of my life, a series of
What do you enjoy most about your job?
work for two years. I contacted Goodwill
interacting with the public. I love that I get
health problems prevented me from finding
This job is perfect for me because I enjoy
after seeing one of the commercials. That
to see some of the same faces every day,
was in 2012, and I’ve been working here ever since.
Did you go through Career Solutions?
when Johnson found Goodwill in 2012. She was offered a parttime position that same year. Then in 2013, Johnson was
promoted to full-time, and she
became a recipient of Goodwill’s Wheels-to-Work program.
Johnson will celebrate her two
year anniversary with Goodwill later this year.
I get to use some of my previous security experience in this position.
I did. I was enrolled in Goodwill’s transitional
Why is your job important to Goodwill’s mission?
Goodwill offered me a job as a part-time
calls or visits our corporate office receives
program in 2012. Just two months later,
My job is to make sure every person who
receptionist. After a few months on the job, I
the best customer service. I help provide that
was promoted to full-time receptionist. Things started to turn around
as well as new faces. I’m also grateful that
What does your current job consist of?
The majority of my job is interacting with
the public, whether that’s on the phone or in
person. My job also requires a bit of security. I make the employee name badges, and I
have to make sure that every person entering the employees only area is an employee,
and I do that by looking for their name badge before I buzz them back.
great experience by making sure they are
greeted with a friendly voice over the phone and a smile when they walk in the door.
How do you change lives? I give my very best every single to day to make sure every person that walks
through our doors feel welcome. When I’m on the phone with someone, I want
to make sure they feel like they have my undivided attention. Being friendly can
make someone’s day, and to me that’s how I change lives.
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Our business is changing lives.
NASHVILLE, TN PERMIT NO. 2009
PAID
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE