Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc.
www.goodwill-suncoast.org
Spring 2011
Goodwill Honors Publix with Artful Thanks Goodwill-Suncoast recently honored Publix for helping support Goodwill’s employment and training programs for the past 40 years. The evening reception for Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc., hosted by Goodwill at the Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland, was attended by more than 80 local dignitaries, Publix officials and Goodwill representatives. Goodwill President and CEO Lee Waits presented Carol Jenkins Barnett, president of Publix Super Markets Charities, with a striking abstract painting by Goodwill trainee Jeremy Ingram. Despite his blindness, Jeremy’s creativity shines in his artwork, as it does in his day-to-day work at Goodwill. Jeremy is one of 60 participants in Goodwill’s Lakeland Adult Day Training Program for people who have severe disabilities. This training program and many other Goodwill services have been beneficiaries of Publix’s support over the years. Guests at the reception enjoyed a display of 18 paintings by Goodwill trainees, who had been the lucky recipients of art lessons as an outreach project of the Polk Museum of Art. Also featured at the party was a short film showcasing Goodwill’s Lakeland training program (see related “MopMania” story below). Publix has Goodwill’s deepest gratitude for its longstanding generosity.
“I Found Something” by Jeremy Ingram
Carol Jenkins Barnett, president of Publix Super Markets Charities, chats with Goodwill artist Jeremy Ingram about his painting, at left, presented to Publix as a tribute to the company’s 40 years of support.
“Frog” by Henry Dribbons
Goodwill’s Sammy Wiggins leads a magical march of the mops in the short film “MopMania.”
MopMania on YouTube “For Mom” by Sheryl Friday
Watch Goodwill’s merry mop-makers at work in Lakeland! Visit YouTube.com and type “MopMania at Goodwill-Suncoast” into the search field. The two-minute film, featuring “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” as its soundtrack, takes a lighthearted look at the work of participants in Goodwill-Suncoast’s Lakeland training program for adults who have developmental disabilities. Last year, Goodwill trainees assembled 77,000 floor mops sold in Publix stores throughout west central Florida.
Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc. Page 2
Opportunities
Spring 2011
Goodwill’s Voice Heard in Tallahassee Dear Friends, R. Lee Waits President and CEO Charlie Robinson, Jr. Board Chair Martin W. Gladysz Chair Emeritus Members of the Board Lee Bell, CPA Joshua Beyer Mark W. Brown Heather Ceresoli, CPA Renee H. Dabbs Steven M. Erickson Tom Falone, IV Malinda S. Fusco Mark E. Gauthier Oscar J. Horton Michelle Knight Karl Koch Louise R. Lopez Richard E. Ludwig John Maceovsky, CPA John McCaugherty David E. Murphy Carole Philipson Ed Rader Charlie Robinson, Jr. Timothy Salzsieder Loreen M. Spencer Robert G. Stern, Esq. Bob Wabbersen Rep. Will Weatherford John H. Whitcomb
I have just returned from Tallahassee, where I had the opportunity to meet with some of the state’s most influential leaders. With Goodwill's state funding threatened by budget cuts, it was important to let the voices of our program participants be heard through Goodwill's advocacy. The issue of privatizing government services by outsourcing them to corporate providers is under discussion in the Legislature at this writing. While Goodwill-Suncoast provides a variety of services by contract with the state, we differ from for-profit corporations that seek government contracts largely for the benefit of their shareholders and their bottom line. Our motivation is not profit, but to help people reach their full potential – through the dignity of work and the power of a paycheck. Goodwill-Suncoast and our eight sister Goodwill organizations throughout Florida are here to stay. We have provided training and
Goodwill Senior Accountant Vivian Thomas models one of the striking African outfits she wore each day in February to commemorate Black History Month. Vivian owns more than 60 of the outfits, many of which were purchased at Goodwill.
Our Mission: To help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. Opportunities is a quarterly publication for friends and employees of Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc.
Vivian reads a Maya Angelou poem to the men and women in Goodwill’s St. Petersburg Adult Day Training program during Black History Month.
michael.harvey@ goodwill-suncoast.com
Chris Ward, Editor (727) 523-1512, ext. 1011
chris.ward@goodwill-suncoast.com
If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please contact the editor. Visit our website at www.goodwill-suncoast.org Call toll-free: (888) 279-1988 TTY: (727) 579-1068
Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer that provides services without regard to race, spiritual beliefs, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, socioeconomic status or disability. If you need accommodation or assistance in accessing any area of employment or program services, please let us know.
Sincerely,
R. Lee Waits President and Chief Executive Officer
In Memoriam
Sharing Her Heritage
Michael Ann Harvey Vice President for Marketing and Public Relations (727) 523-1512, ext. 1010
employment services to the people of this state for more than 50 years, and we remain accountable for those services. We won’t pull up stakes when the going gets tough. Just as you can count on Goodwill in your community, we hope we can count on you. With our funding always at risk, your support is more critical than ever. Your donations of clothing and household items, as well as your generous gifts of cash, make the fulfillment of our mission possible. On behalf of the thousands of people Goodwill-Suncoast serves, I thank you for your ongoing generosity.
Way to Go, Oldsmar Superstore! The Oldsmar Goodwill Superstore was named Oldsmar Business of the Month in February. Oldsmar Vice Mayor Doug Bevis called the store a great business and a “truly super community partner” as he presented the award at the Feb. 1 city council meeting. The vice mayor Retails Sales Manager Karen Cline and mentioned that in Senior Assistant Manager Ron Sanders addition to being a show off the Business of the Month award. great family shopping destination, the store provides employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities and that store sales support Goodwill’s services. Several regular shoppers attended the award presentation to show support for their neighborhood Goodwill store.
We’re sad to report that Goodwill’s Adult Day Training Center in Lakeland suffered three losses recently. Lori Reed, the center’s supervisor, passed away Feb. 27. Lori was wellloved by Goodwill employees and program participants. She led the center with love and intelligence for 10 years. Lori had a tireless and giving spirit, and she fought daily for the rights and dignity of adults with disabilities. A close friend and co-worker says Lori “was our princess, our advocate and mentor, our crusader, our resident clown and our treasured friend.” She had a larger-than-life personality that left an imprint on everyone she met. Lori’s career was clearly her passion, and she is sorely missed. Alton “Butch” Cochran, a participant in the Lakeland program, passed away March 8. Butch worked at the Lakeland center for many years, and will always be remembered as a kind and loving man who “never met a stranger.” Butch loved to listen to music, and always had a huge smile and a wave for everyone he met. Chris Mercado, another Lakeland program participant, passed away late last year. Friends and family say Chris's positive, happy outlook kept him alive far longer than doctors thought was possible, given his disabilities. He fought to make the best of his circumstances, working two days a week at Goodwill’s Lakeland program where he hung clothes and assembled mops. His mother says Chris will live on and “be saving three lives” via organ donations. Goodwill lost a valuable long-term employee Jan. 16. Jim Davis worked for Goodwill for more than 15 years as a donation attendant in Oldsmar. Jim had recently retired from Goodwill, although his wife said he would have stayed on if his health had permitted. Jim loved people and always had a smile on his face. Fellow employees and regular donors miss Jim and his cheerful demeanor.
What’s a Smile Worth? On the face of an adult discovering for the first time that his work has value, a smile is priceless. Please help us ensure a future full of smiles by leaving a gift to Goodwill Industries-Suncoast. From $1 to $1-million, your gifts will change lives. For information about financial gifts and planned giving, please contact Jim Williams, VP for Fund Development, toll-free (888) 279-1988, ext. 1050.
www.goodwill-suncoast.org
Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc.
Opportunities
Donating Cars: A Family Affair Jocelyn King was ready for a new car. She knew her current car, a 1987 Lincoln Mark VII, had life left in it. But she also knew she wouldn’t get much money for the sedan in a trade. And she didn’t want to hassle with trying to sell it herself. “I knew Goodwill Industries had a good reputation,” Jocelyn says, “and I wanted to support a worthwhile institution in some small way.” Jocelyn called Goodwill-Suncoast to ask about our car donation program, and a Goodwill representative visited her at her St. Pete home the same day. “I was quite satisfied with the process,” she says. Jocelyn donated her Lincoln and it was later sold at a Goodwill car sale. When her son Darrin was ready to upgrade from his 1995 Saturn, he too turned to Goodwill. “Neither of us has much in the way of material assets,” says Jocelyn, “but we felt Goodwill was a great place.” Goodwill-Suncoast has seen an uptick in multiple car donors from the same family. Last year, Arlene Clarke and her father Generous donors Jocelyn King and son Darrin enjoy Horace Howell generously donated a 1991 their new rides and helping their community. Ford Explorer and a 1998 Chevy Malibu to Goodwill. To all Goodwill vehicle donors and purchasers – thank you! Proceeds from Goodwill’s car sales support services to people in our community. To donate a car, call toll-free 1-866-604-6634.
Spring 2011 Page 3
GoodStuff ... Don't Miss These Upcoming Events Dresscue Me
Turn frugal into fabulous! Learn how to transform vintage clothing finds into chic, fashion-forward looks on Dresscue Me, a new TV series on the Planet Green network. Planet Green is an official partner of Goodwill's Donation Movement.
Luau Days
Shake your grass! Enjoy tropical refreshments, register to win a free kayak and feast your eyes on great summer savings. Visit our stores on May 1315 for a hula lotta fun!
Book Donation — It's Elementary! Children from Starkey Elementary School in Seminole drop off nearly 500 books the school collected for Goodwill’s BookWorks childhood literacy program. The generous donation is just one example of community support for the annual book drive, which supplies many of the books that will be presented to disadvantaged preschool children during the coming year. Special thanks to Starkey Elementary and to all who donated during the annual book drive.
Talent Scout
Beth Roberts Vocational Evaluator Career Assessment and Planning Services Beth Roberts has always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, and during a 25-year career at Goodwill, she’s certainly done that. In her current role as a vocational evaluator, Beth travels throughout Goodwill-Suncoast’s 10-county service area, helping people who have disabilities find out what types of jobs would be right for them. Through interviews, tests and worksite evaluations, she assesses people’s talents, skills and interests to help them set employment goals. “I like being able to guide someone who doesn’t have a lot of hope for their future into some real possibilities for that to change,” says Beth. Her career with Goodwill started in 1986, not long after she graduated from the University of South Carolina. She was hired as a behavior specialist for the Adult Day Training program in St. Petersburg. A year later, Beth was selected to manage Goodwill’s brand new Supported Employment program, which offers job placement and coaching that enables people with disabilities to hold jobs in the community. Because she missed working directly with people, Beth transitioned to her current position in 2000. Beth and her husband have a grown daughter and son and live in Pinellas Park with their beloved cats.
Polyester Prom
It's raining men (in leisure suits)! Get your tickets to Ocala's biggest party of the year, co-sponsored by Goodwill. Big 92.9 FM's annual Polyester Prom is May 27, and it's too hot baby! Go to
www.hiltonocala.com for tickets.
Wedding Gala
Here come the brides! Goodwill's wildly popular bridal event is back for its fifth year! The Gala is a chance to score drop-dead gorgeous, new wedding gowns for a fraction of the retail price. Gala dates are June 4 at the Oldsmar Superstore and June 11 at the Goodwill Superstore in Ocala. Check www.goodwillsuncoast.org for details.
10596 Gandy Blvd. St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Non-Profit Org. US POSTAGE PAID Permit #5008
Return Service Requested
Opportunities
Spring 2011
St. Pete, FL 337
Page 4
There’s No Place Like Home
Where We Are
It’s hard to be a single mom in the best of situations – even harder when the mom has disabilities that limit her mobility. That’s the case with Candice Smith, a 37-year-old Pinellas Park mother of two elementary-aged girls. “It’s hard being disabled,” she says. “Raising two kids is a struggle.” For three years, Candice and her girls have lived at Freedom Village I in Pinellas Park, one of Goodwill-Suncoast’s five apartment communities for low-income disabled or elderly people. Their two-bedroom apartment is fairly close to the girls’ school, plus there are lots of stores and restaurants nearby. “It’s a good place to live if you want your independence,” says Candice. Goodwill operates three one- and two-bedroom apartment buildings for people who are disabled and have low incomes in Pinellas Park, Tampa and Clearwater. The remaining two buildings – in Palm Harbor and Ocala – are designed for people who are at least 62 years old with low incomes. In addition to caring, helpful management, each community offers architecturally barrier-free facilities with features such as extra-wide doorways, and kitchens and baths designed for wheelchair users. Rent subsidies are made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on a scale based on expensThe Smith family enjoys the picnic and barbeque es and income. The HUD formula determines how much rent residents area of Goodwill’s Freedom Village I. pay. For Candice, having an affordable, safe environment for her family has made life as a single mom with disabilities just a little easier. “People are shocked I can do it,” she says. Prospective residents should contact the property they are interested in. People who are hearing-impaired should call (727) 579-1068.
Goodwill Attended Donation Centers Donations also gratefully accepted at Goodwill stores
Hillsborough County APOLLO BEACH MiraBay Village, Sweetbay U.S. 41 & Leisey Rd. BRANDON Bloomingdale Wal-Mart 949 E. Bloomingdale CARROLLWOOD Hudson Ln. Shell Station 11302 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.
NEW !
LUTZ Lake Chapman Plaza 16301 N. Florida Ave. Van Dyke Shell station 5524 Van Dyke Rd.
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TEMPLE TERRACE NEW ! Gas Kwik/ Marathon station 7105 Temple Terrace Hwy.
Pasco County BAYONET POINT Point Plaza 12023 U.S. 19 at S.R. 52
Pinellas County CLEARWATER 2250 Gulf to Bay Blvd. (Accepts furniture)
HUDSON The Oaks Plaza 8800 S.R. 52 Corner of Little Rd.
Tri-City Plaza East Bay Dr. and U.S. 19 N.
LUTZ Willow Bend Chevron 22932 S. R. 54
Advance Auto 22991 U.S. 19 N. (Weekends only)
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LARGO Publix Plaza 12002 Indian Rocks Rd.
NORTHDALE 16010 Mapledale Blvd. Near Lifestyle Fitness
Twedts Bowling Alley 13100 Seminole Blvd. (Accepts furniture)
Northdale Wal-Mart N. Dale Mabry at Bearss Ave. (Weekends only)
OLDSMAR S.R. 580 W. at Duane Ave.
RIVERVIEW Riverview Oaks Plaza 9624 U.S. 301 South Advance Auto Parts 13324 Boyette Rd. SEFFNER Parsons Village Plaza 710 W. Dr. MLK Blvd. TAMPA Carrollwood Square Corner Ehrlich Rd. and Lynn Turner Rd. Citrus Park BP 8606 Citrus Park Dr. Lowe’s 4210 S. Dale Mabry Hwy. U-Save 7701 W. Hillsborough Ave. Waters U-Save 7735 W. Waters Ave. Westchase Primrose School Linebaugh Ave. and Countryway (Weekends only) (Accepts furniture)
PALM HARBOR Bill’s SuperGas and Auto Service Center Corner Alt. 19 & Nebraska Ave. Brooker Creek Plaza, Publix East Lake Rd. at Ridgemoor Blvd. Curlew Crossing Shopping Center S.W. corner Curlew Rd. and U.S. 19 Eastlake Woodlands Plaza East Lake Rd. at Tampa Rd. PASADENA Sweetbay Plaza 6851 Gulfport Blvd. S. PINELLAS PARK 7601 Park Blvd. (Accepts furniture) ST. PETERSBURG Coquina Key Shopping Center 4250 6th St. South
NEW PORT RICHEY Rowan Rd. at S.R. 54 ODESSA NEW ! Shell station S.R. 54 at Suncoast Pkwy. ZEPHYRHILLS Merchants Square Sweetbay 7333 Gall Blvd. Hernando County SPRING HILL Mariner Square 13050 Cortez Blvd. Advance Auto 14321 Spring Hill Dr. at Barclay Ave.
Marion County BELLEVIEW Belleview Square 10751 Hwy. 441 OCALA Friendship Center 8449 S.W. Hwy. 200 Ocala Springs Sweetbay 7131 N. Hwy. 441
SUMMERFIELD Spruce Creek 17860 Hwy. 441
For donation hours, store locations or donation bin locations, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org Thank you for donating to Goodwill.
Freedom Village I 7700 66th St. North Pinellas Park, FL 33781 (727) 541-6620 Freedom Village II 5002 Bridge St. Tampa, FL 33611 (813) 831-6988 Freedom Village III 1167 Turner St. Clearwater, FL 33756 (727) 443-6799 Goodwill affordable housing for people at least 62 years old with qualifying income: Heritage Oaks of Ocala 2820 S.W. 34th St. Ocala, FL 34474 (352) 854-1515 Heritage Oaks of Palm Harbor 2351 Alderman Rd. Palm Harbor, FL 34683 (727) 787-0792
Mother Earth and Goodwill Celebrate Earth Day Mother Earth visited Goodwill on Earth Day and her message was clear: Green is the way to be, and Goodwill earns her praise for being an environmentally friendly organization. The key, she says, is in the way Goodwill repurposes items. Repurposing is a green practice that helps save the environment. When you donate to Goodwill, you give items you no longer need a second life. And when you shop at Goodwill, you reduce the need for new goods to be produced. “It’s all good, and it’s all green,” said Mother Earth. In honor of Earth Day, Goodwill handed out free, reusable water bottles to all donors April 22 and 23. With Mother Earth’s help, Goodwill also promoted its Donate Movement. Goodwill hopes the Donate Movement icon will become as prevalent as the symbol for recycling. Please help Goodwill and Mother Earth get the word out: Just as there are things you recycle, there are things you donate!
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Polk County LAKELAND Barclay Plaza 4945 U.S. Hwy. 98 N.
Silver Springs Kmart 3711 E. Silver Springs Blvd.
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NEW !
Goodwill affordable housing for people with disabilities and qualifying income:
Your Old Stove Could Help Cook Up a Job Even if your old stove or refrigerator isn’t working, it can help someone get a job. A Goodwill hauling partner now offers free pickup of major appliances in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties. For free pickup of working or nonworking large appliances, call 727-439-1905 and mention Goodwill. You’ll get a donation receipt for tax purposes and your donation will help support Goodwill’s services. For free major appliance pickup, call 727-439-1905 and mention Goodwill.