Goodwill-Suncoast Fall 2013 Newsletter

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Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc.

www.goodwill-suncoast.org

Fall 2013

A Creepy Good Time A frighteningly fun night was had by all at this year’s Heroes, Villains & Vixens!

With this insane clown on the loose and a pack of werewolves on the prowl, Goodwill’s third annual Heroes, Villains & Vixens was a runaway success!

On Friday, Oct. 18, Goodwill-Suncoast and the SunTrust Foundation went all out for the Halloween-themed fundraiser. News Channel 8’s Gayle Guyardo was the master of ceremonies, leading guests through a freaky, fun fashion show of costumes made of Goodwill finds.

Guests were also treated to free psychic readings, a cigar roller, live music from Sarasota Slim, cocktails and delicious hors d’oeuvres from Goodwill’s own Good to Go Catering. Fantastic raffle prizes and silent auction items were also part of the mix.

The event benefits Goodwill’s training programs in Tampa Bay, Lakeland and Ocala for people who have developmental disabilities.

This belly dancer shimmied and shook her way down the runway, and her hips don’t lie!

Kim Kardashian and her fiancé Kanye West made an appearance with their new baby, North.

Presenting Sponsor

Top Gun pilots Turbo and Curves hit the runway to protect our airspace all night long.

Even guests showed up in elaborate costumes, like this bearded and beaded pirate – ARRRGH!

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors The Bank of Tampa Bright House Networks CHASE Deloitte Extravaganza Productions Gregory, Sharer & Stuart HSN Kapok Special Events Piedmont Companies, Inc. Skyway Business Center Zeno Office Solutions, Inc.

Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc. Page 2

Opportunities

Fall 2013

A Gift That Keeps On Giving President and CEO Deborah Passerini Board Chair Oscar J. Horton Members of the Board John T. Benko Joshua Beyer Heather Ceresoli Robert D. Dobkowski Steven M. Erickson Martin W. Gladysz Marie Carson Hebbler Paul Horowitz Karl Koch Louise R. Lopez Richard E. Ludwig John McCaugherty David E. Murphy Mark Pichowski Ed Rader Charlie Robinson, Jr. Timothy Salzsieder Loreen M. Spencer Bob Wabbersen President and CEO Emeritus R. Lee Waits

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.

For many, the last two months of the year will be a time to celebrate the accomplishments of 2013, spend time with family and friends and look forward to the New Year.

For others, for those who have disabilities and those without jobs, there is the stress of finding a way to create a better life while also putting a roof over their head and providing for their families.

Your support created greater opportunities for many such individuals in 2013. In these pages, you will find the stories of Bobby and Daisy, two people who achieved better lives with the aid of Goodwill’s services. Your support – through donations, shopping in our stores, volunteering, or hiring Goodwill clients – helped change their lives.

During the past year Goodwill-Suncoast served more than 77,000

Goodwill Board Richer

by Four Four members were elected to the GoodwillSuncoast Board of Directors in September. New to the board are John T. Benko, Robert D. Dobkowski and Mark Pichowski. Bob Wabbersen returned to the board after a one-year hiatus.

They join 16 other executives from a variety of industries currently serving on the all-volunteer board.

John T. Benko Founder and Chief Executive Officer MANKO Delivery Systems Inc.,Tampa

Robert “Bobby D” Dobkowski Owner Mr. and Mrs. Blindmaster Belleview

Jennifer Fleming Lugo, Editor (727) 523-1512, ext. 1015

jennifer.lugo@goodwill-suncoast.com

Visit our website at www.goodwill-suncoast.org Call toll-free: (888) 279-1988 TTY: (727) 579-1068

people and placed 15,000 people in jobs. We’re on track to provide job training and employment services to even more people this year.

But our mission is not complete. The unemployment rate ranges from seven to 10 percent in the counties we serve. Unemployment is much higher for people with disabilities or other challenges, even though most would rather have jobs. We’re striving to change that.

We appreciate your willingness to support our mission of helping people achieve their full potential. At Goodwill, we believe in the power of work … and in you!

Sincerely, Deborah A. Passerini President and Chief Executive Officer

Sharing the Passion Programs are what attracted Heather Ceresoli to serve on the Goodwill-Suncoast Board of Directors, but passion is what keeps her involved.

Principal and Chief Operating Officer of Taylor White accounting and finance recruiting in St. Petersburg, Heather was looking to become involved with a community organization. When board member Loreen Spencer told her about the depth and breadth of Goodwill’s services, she was interested and surprised.

She previously thought of Goodwill as stores, but was amazed to learn that retail sales support a host of services ranging from job training for people with disabilities to programs that help offenders rejoin society.

“It blew me away how much Goodwill is able to make a difference,” said Heather.

She is also impressed with the dedication and passion of those associated with Goodwill.

“I think that passion is contagious.”

Heather’s board service is part of a busy life. She and her husband Tony live in Odessa with their identical twin teenage sons, Anthony and Matthew. In her leisure time Heather enjoys playing piano, watching her sons play baseball, and taking their Welsh Terrier puppy to obedience/ agility classes.

Heather has served on the board since 2006 and her passion for the mission is evident. In fact, her son chose Goodwill as the subject of his fifth grade community awareness project, according to Heather, “because I talk about Goodwill all the time.”

Beating the Drums for Fun Mark Pichowski Partner Bouchard Insurance Clearwater

Bob Wabbersen Director of Retail Support for Meat and Deli Publix Super Markets Lakeland

Reduce Taxes, Increase Income!

Consider a Goodwill Gift Annuity.

60 years or older?

Invest in Goodwill for tax savings and lifetime income!

When you make a gift of cash or stock into a Goodwill annuity, you receive an immediate charitable income tax deduction. You also receive guaranteed income for life, after which Goodwill uses the remaining principle for services to people who are disabled or disadvantaged.

Annuity Rates

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.

Age 60 Age 65 Age 70 Age 75 Age 80 Age 90

4.8% 5.3% 5.8% 6.5% 7.5% 9.8%

Rates as of 6/1/2013

For a free proposal, please contact Jim Williams, Vice President for Fund Development (888) 279-1988 Ext. 1050 or e-mail jim.williams@goodwill-suncoast.com

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What’s a Friday with a Luau and drum circle? Fun, that’s what! In August, people in our Life Skills Development program for adults with disabilities participated in a drum circle led by a local drummer. There was a lot of drumming and danc~ ing at our St. Petersburg headquarters, along with tropical fruits and virgin pina coladas courtesy of Smiley G cafeteria.

In Memoriam Leroy Deboue, Jr., a technician at Tampa Bay Community Corrections Center, passed away July 20 after a year with Goodwill. He was a natural leader who was highly regarded by those who worked with him on the midnight shift. He had a good sense of humor, yet always remained professional in dealing with clients and co-workers. Leroy will be missed but not forgotten by those who worked with him.

Larry Huddleston passed away Sept. 21. Larry was sales and support coordinator in the Information Technology department at our Gandy Boulevard headquarters since 2007, serving customers of Goodwill’s Support2020 client management and agency support solutions. Larry was a big man with a passion for life and a special way with people. His booming voice and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.

“Green Giants” Team Up to Sell Pre-Owned Computers Just in time for the holidays, Goodwill shoppers can buy complete refurbished pre-owned personal computers – with a flat screen monitor, tower, keyboard, mouse and a full 90-day warranty – for just $189.99.

The local “green giants” – Creative Recycling Systems (CRS) and Goodwill-Suncoast – partnered to offer complete computer systems preloaded with Windows® 7 operating systems for sale at GoodwillSuncoast superstores.

The computer systems come from Bargain Computers, part of the CRS family and a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher. Bargain receives computers from organizations, businesses, and government entities that no longer need them. The computers go through a rigorous process that includes sanitizing data on the hard drives to produce a "like new" computer.

Rather than ending up in landfills (where electronics contribute 70% of toxins) these computer systems can land in the hands of smart shoppers who can’t afford or don’t want to spend more for a personal computer.

“Creative Recycling shares our ideals of sustainability and reuse,” said Kym Bandy, vice president of acquisitions and allocations at Goodwill-Suncoast. “With computers playing such a large part in our everyday lives, we jumped at the opportunity to offer affordable computers to our customers.”

Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc.

Opportunities

Fall 2013 Page 3

GoodStuff Dolphin Watch Tour

In September, participants in our Life Skills Development program in St. Petersburg were treated to a Dolphin Watch boat tour, thanks to a very thoughtful donation from Goodwill volunteer Jeanne Mansfield.

The boat sailed from John’s Pass in Madeira Beach. Everyone had a great time viewing both adult and baby dolphins along with other wildlife.

PNC Helps Kids Love Their ABC’s!

Round UP

In September, we launched a new and easy way for Goodwill shoppers to “round up” their purchases to further support our services. Now when you make a purchase at Goodwill you’ll be asked if you want to round up your purchase to the next dollar. Proceeds will help fund our Life Skills Development programs for adults with disabilities.

Captain Nice

Pictured from left to right: Haydee Castro, Goodwill BookWorks Coordinator; Melody Marrs, Goodwill Fund Development Manager; Jeanne Mansfield, BookWorks volunteer; Joseph Meterchick, PNC Bank Regional President and Dianne Jacob, PNC Bank Director of Client and Community Relations.

Earlier this year the generous folks at the PNC Foundation donated $20,000 to benefit our BookWorks literacy program. The money will be used to buy approximately 10,000 brand new books for preschoolers!

Goodwill's BookWorks program pairs volunteer readers with children from low-income households to promote childhood literacy. Volunteers read to preschool children at Head Start centers and other locations and then present each child with a book of their own to take home. The program is being expanded to also include elementary-aged children.

Finding a Home at Goodwill ... and Beyond

Daisy Guadalupe

Leonard J. Stevens, a retired Air Force pilot, sometimes needs a little help navigating the cafeteria line at the MacDill Air Force Base dining hall, and Goodwill employees are always happy to help.

To show his gratitude, Mr. Stevens is giving a restaurant gift card to a Goodwill employee each quarter. Emily Brundage, pictured with Mr. Stevens, was the first recipient.

Individuals with disabilities serve as dining attendants at MacDill as part of Goodwill’s JobWorks program.

Number One Again Voters in Tampa Tribune’s 2013 readers’ poll once again voted Goodwill as Best Thrift Store in Hernando and Pasco counties.

Thank you voters, and a pat on the back to our superstores in Spring Hill, Trinity and Wesley Chapel!

Assistant Sales Manager – Trinity Superstore Daisy Guadalupe always has a smile, but she takes her job as assistant sales manager for Goodwill seriously.

“I have every intention of continuing to progress with Goodwill,” she says. “I’m very thankful for the people here. They’ve made a big impact on my life.”

Daisy first came to Goodwill via our work-release program in St. Petersburg, where she served out the end of a nine-year prison sentence. While there, she volunteered by operating the switchboard at our Gandy Boulevard headquarters. When her sentence was complete in 2010, Daisy accepted a job as a new goods processor for Goodwill. From there she transferred to our Tampa store as a new goods specialist.

Today Daisy feels as if she has a home – the actual home she was able to purchase in Pasco County and her Goodwill home at our newest superstore in the Trinity area of Pasco County. When the superstore opened in June, Daisy transferred there as an assistant sales manager. She is now just a three-minute drive from home and always nearby for her 14-year-old twin daughters and her husband.

“They’re the reason I get up every day,” Daisy says. She also has two grown sons and three granddaughters. “Goodwill gave me this chance at a new life for all of us.”

Blue Saturday

The early elf catches the sale! That’s our motto this year as we celebrate “Blue Saturday,” a special Goodwill sale day on November 23, the Saturday before Black Friday.

Shoppers will enjoy special bargains on dozens of gift items and up to $20 off their total purchase with in-store coupons. Keep an eye out for more information on our website: www.goodwill-suncoast.org.

10596 Gandy Blvd.

St. Petersburg, FL 33702

Non-Profit Org. US POSTAGE PAID Permit #5008

Change Service Requested

Opportunities

Fall 2013

St. Pete, FL 337

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The Best of Goodwill Bobby Singh

As the first “graduate” of Goodwill’s newly formed Ocala Supported Employment program, Bobby is eager to learn and advance in his new job at Publix.

Just three years ago Bobby Singh was a very shy, uncertain 25-year-old man with very little work experience and no high school diploma.

Today he’s a customer service associate at Publix, confident in his abilities and eager to learn and advance.

Bobby is the first “graduate” of Goodwill’s newly formed Supported Employment program in Ocala. The program places people with disabilities in community employment and provides one-on-one coaching to help each individual succeed.

Before venturing out into the “real world,” Bobby spent three years in our Ocala Life Skills Development Program, where he learned the many facets of running the Goodwill Outlet store.

“I just wanted to build my confidence so one day I could get a job and support myself,” Bobby said. He did just that, progressing to the point where he was encouraged to “leave the nest” and find outside employment.

Bobby is now working toward his GED and hopes to one day run the register at Publix and save enough money to live on his own.

“It has been an honor to work with Bobby, as he is the most significant reminder of what someone can do with or without a disability as long as they have their mind set,” said Derek Arnold, Life Skills Development regional manager in Ocala.

Goodwill-Suncoast’s Supported Employment program serves people in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Hernando and Marion counties. If you are an employer or know of an employer in need of qualified, highly-motivated employees, please contact us at (888) 279-1988, ext. 1310.

Goodwill Attended Donation Centers

Beware the Nightmare!

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 Ave. LUTZ Lake Chapman Plaza 16301 N. Florida Ave. Van Dyke Shell station 5524 Van Dyke Rd. NORTHDALE 16010 Mapledale Blvd.

Near LA Fitness Northdale Walmart N. Dale Mabry at Bearss Ave. (Weekends only) 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 Advance Auto Parts 5399 Gunn Hwy. Corner Ehrlich Rd. and Lynn Turner Rd. (Behind McDonald’s) D1 Sports Training 6918 Gunn Hwy. Lowe’s 4210 S. Dale Mabry Hwy. U-Save 7733 W. Hillsborough Ave. Waters U-Save 7555 W. Waters Ave. Westchase Primrose School Linebaugh Ave. and Countryway (Weekends only) (Accepts furniture)

TEMPLE TERRACE Gas Kwik/Marathon 7105 Temple Terrace Hwy. Fowler and 56th St. 5515 E. Fowler Ave.

NEW !

Pinellas County CLEARWATER Advance Auto Parts 22991 U.S. 19 N. (Weekends only) 2250 Gulf to Bay Blvd.

(Accepts furniture) 16432 U.S. 19 N. South of Whitney Rd.

HUDSON 9717 S.R. 52 at Parkwood St. LUTZ Willow Bend Chevron 22932 S.R. 54 NEW PORT RICHEY Pasco Square - Badcock 7201 S.R. 54

NEW !

Tri-City Plaza East Bay Dr. and U.S. 19 N. LARGO Liberty Tax 1941 West Bay Dr. Publix Plaza 12002 Indian Rocks Rd. Rodgers Business Park 2101 Starkey Rd.

NEW !

OLDSMAR S.R. 580 W. at Duane Ave. PALM HARBOR Bill’s SuperGas and Auto Service Center Corner Alt. 19 & Nebraska Ave. Curlew Crossing S.W. corner Curlew Rd. and U.S. 19 3400 East Lake Rd. at Tampa Rd. Riviere Plaza 35349 US Hwy 19 N. PASADENA Sweetbay Plaza 6851 Gulfport Blvd. S. PINELLAS PARK 7601 Park Blvd.

(Accepts furniture) ST. PETERSBURG 68th St. and Tyrone Blvd. N. Coquina Key Center 4250 6th St. S.

Pasco County BAYONET POINT Point Plaza 12023 U.S. 19 at S.R. 52

Mitchell Crossing NEW !

8833 Mitchell Blvd.

ODESSA Shell Station S.R. 54 at Suncoast Pkwy.

ZEPHYRHILLS Sweetbay 7333 Gall Blvd.

Hernando County SPRING HILL Mariner Square 13050 Cortez Blvd.

Advance Auto 14321 Spring Hill Dr. at Barclay Ave. Polk County LAKELAND Advance Auto Parts 4120 Clubhouse Rd. Barclay Plaza 4945 U.S. Hwy. 98 Marion County BELLEVIEW Belleview Square 10751 Hwy. 441 OCALA Friendship Center 8449 S.W. Hwy. 200 Ocala Springs Sweetbay 7131 N. Hwy. 441 Silver Springs Kmart 3711 E. Silver Springs Blvd.

SUMMERFIELD Spruce Creek 17860 Hwy. 441

3100 4th St. N.

Goodwill’s training center in Lakeland hosted “Nightmares on Drane Field” – a haunted house featuring one nightmare experience after another. Brave guests experienced a labyrinth of catacombs and other frights. Goodwill clients with developmental disabilities at the Lakeland center work hard each year to transform their work space into a spine-chilling treat for visitors. For a suggested donation of $5, visitors were treated to a wildly creative tour of scary surprises on select nights in October.

Take the Work Out of Finding Workers

Let Goodwill Temporary Staffing take the stress out of filling positions.

We’ll handle recruiting, screening and all the paperwork, saving you time and money.

You’ll get qualified workers, specially selected to meet your needs, at rates that won’t dent your bottom line.

For donation hours, store or donation bin locations, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org Thank you for donating to Goodwill.

(727) 577-6411 www.sbsgoodwill.com ®