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INSIDE: Earth Day Laptop Giveaway! After Prison, Hope
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President and CEO Deborah Passerini
Our Mission: To help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work.
But the Goodwill mission goes a step farther. Proceeds from store sales support services that help people get jobs. Through the work Goodwill does, things you no longer need ultimately help people make the most of their lives. You are making it possible for men and women with disabilities to experience the pride of earning a paycheck. You are assisting people to make a fresh start after struggling with addiction. You are empowering single moms to begin promising careers. Each time you donate to Goodwill or shop at our stores, you’re supporting the wise use of our community’s resources while helping people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. On behalf of the people we serve, and planet Earth, I thank you. Sincerely,
Deborah A. Passerini President and Chief Executive Officer b o a r d
Good World News is a quarterly publication for friends and employees of Goodwill IndustriesSuncoast, Inc. 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 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.
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As Earth Day approaches we are reminded to reduce, reuse, and recycle, to make the most of our resources. Goodwill has been doing just that for more than 100 years. We take clothing and household items you no longer need and sell them in our stores, giving these goods a second life while offering low-cost shopping alternatives to people at all income levels.
Board Chair Oscar J. Horton
President and CEO Emeritus R. Lee Waits
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Why Green Looks Good on You
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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
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In Tune with Community Needs When Marie Hebbler joined the Goodwill-Suncoast Board of Directors she was impressed that 89 percent of our operating budget is devoted to services. She was pleased to learn that Goodwill offers affordable housing for people in need – a cause she has long supported. Chief Risk Officer at HomeBanc N.A. in Tampa, Marie joined the Goodwill board in 2012 and currently co-chairs the Finance Committee and serves on another committee, as well as attending board meetings for Goodwill’s GIS Housing Corporation. “I’ve really fallen in love with Goodwill,” says Marie. When Marie was 14 years old she sang in Carnegie Hall as part of the U.S. High School Honor Choir, practicing intensively for months before. Likewise, Marie’s support of community causes throughout her career prepared her for service on the Goodwill board. Marie has received several awards in recent years, including the Gulf Coast Business Review 40 Under 40 Business Leader Award and Business Leader Magazine Woman Extraordinaire Award. Marie and her husband David live in St. Petersburg with their two cats. In her leisure time she enjoys reading and tending her vegetable and rose gardens.
In Memoriam
Burl Batten, a beloved employee at Goodwill’s Spring Hill superstore, died Feb. 15 after being hit by a car. Burl was with Goodwill since 2003, sorting donations at the Brooksville store and then at the Spring Hill superstore. He was a dedicated employee who gave 110 percent every day and was unfailingly courteous to customers and co-workers. Burl and his one-liners, known as “Burlisms,” will be greatly missed. 1
Cover Story
Decades ago and still today, the Goodwill mission and its green nature begins with your donations!
60 Years of Green
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Goodwill’s trendsetting business model is naturally “green.”
ix decades ago Goodwill-Suncoast opened its headquarters in downtown St. Petersburg. Ever since 1954 we’ve been helping people in our local communities find jobs – and at the same time diverting items from landfills. Reusing and repurposing items is at the core of the Goodwill business model. On a national level, Goodwill launched the “Donate Movement” in 2010. The Donate Movement focuses on the positive impact donating has on people and the planet. On a yearly basis, Goodwills across the nation divert more than two billion pounds of clothing and textiles from landfills by recovering the value in people’s unwanted material goods.
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A Green Mile A donations manager walks the walk when it comes to being “green.”
Bill O’Connor has always been a Goodwill admirer. He interviewed to work here on Valentine’s Day three years ago, and the love, he says, is still strong. Bill moved to St. Petersburg from New Jersey, where he developed toys, novelties and costume jewelry. He often sold the new jewelry to Goodwill for the “new goods” section of our stores. He became familiar with the Goodwill mission, and later jumped at the chance to work in our Donations Development department. “I moved down for the job, but I was already a big fan of Goodwill,” he says. “I like the premise ‘a hand up, not a handout.’ And I love that Goodwill is a pioneer of reuse and recycling.”
In 2013 alone, Goodwill-Suncoast: • Collected 50,834,050 pounds of donated items (25,417 tons) • Responsibly disposed of 11,184,000 pounds that could not be sold (5,592 tons) • Began selling certified pre-owned desktop and laptop computers. Rather than ending up in landfills (where electronics contribute 70% of toxins) these computer systems can land in the hands of consumers who can’t afford or don’t want to spend more for a computer. In all, in 2013 alone, Goodwill-Suncoast repurposed 39,650,050 pounds of items (19,825 tons) that could have ended up in landfills. It doesn’t get much greener than Goodwill!
P r o f i l e
Bill was recently promoted to manager of the Donations department. He is tasked with increasing material donations to Goodwill, which ups the amount of goods available for reuse. For the last three years, his department saw more than 1 million donations each year. His goal is to grow that to 1.2 million in the next two years. The donations come via the oversight of approximately 56 attended donation trailers, 65 donation bins and our 15 retail stores. Bill’s wife Diann is an avid volunteer for Goodwill’s BookWorks program. The couple has two grown daughters and two grandchildren. 2
GoodLilly’s
Baby It’s Bath Time! New item $2.49
Trinity Superstore These adorable washcloth mitts make bath time playful and fun!
Bowled Over Donated item $3.16
Lakeland Superstore You can find lots of great glassware at Goodwill, for way less than buying new. This fun bowl is a great example.
Flower Power Donated item $4.26
Wesley Chapel Superstore These groovy stems would add a punch of springtime color and interest to any room. 3
Tray Chic! New item $5.99
Tampa Store Make your table fresh and fashionable! Serve up spring time lemonade and cookies on this colorful cute tray.
A collection of brand new and donated items found at Goodwill-Suncoast stores
Vinyl Fever Donated item $2.16
Ocala Superstore
Li’l Fashionista
Got a turntable? Get to Goodwill. You could spend hours looking through the donated albums.
Donated item $2.16
Oldsmar Superstore Our favorite model found this adorable sundress at Goodwill, with the Target tags still on!
Heel Yes! Donated item $12.46
Oldsmar Superstore Like-new Gianni Bini heels at a fraction of their retail price? I spy happy feet! These are a hard-to-find size 11.
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Send us your Goodwill finds!
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If we feature them here or on our Upcycle page we’ll send you a $20 gift certificate to any Goodwill-Suncoast store. Post your photos on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/goodwillsuncoast) or e-mail them to gw.marketing@goodwill-suncoast.com. For Goodwill store locations, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.
Plush Toys! Donated item Prices vary by size SpongeBob fans know Plankton as the evil owner of the Chum Bucket, but do you know his full name? Hint: See the orange circle for the answer. 4
GoodStuff
Donate for Dinosaurs Here’s a roaring good offer you won’t want to miss! When you donate to Goodwill-Suncoast in May you’ll get a coupon for a free child’s admission to Dinosaur World for each adult admission purchased. That’s a savings of $11.95, and coupons can be redeemed through July. Dinosaur World, in Plant City, is the perfect summer outing with acres of dinosaur exhibits and playgrounds.
We Make Lunches HOT!
When you donate to or shop at Goodwill, you’re a “reduce, reuse, repurpose” hero! In honor of Earth Day, we want to recognize your fabulousness. Take a picture of yourself donating or shopping at Goodwill and post it to our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ goodwillsuncoast). One lucky entrant will win a certified pre-owned laptop computer. You can see and learn about our refurbished, ecofriendly computers at any Goodwill-Suncoast store.
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 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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Goodwill’s own Good to Go catering was recently featured on Channel 10’s Studio 10, showcasing its “We Make Lunches Hot” business lunch options. Vicki McWhorter, food service manager, and Virginia Warfield, catering coordinator, served up favorites like mojo pork, fried chicken and Mediterranean chicken, plus all the fixings. The two pointed out the value of Good to Go, where a complete hot meal costs significantly less than cold boxed lunches from franchise sandwich shops. Plus, it’s super yummy and supports Goodwill’s services!
Hello to The Villages! We’ve opened two new donation sites near the retirement community of The Villages. The attended donation centers are at 11922 CR 105, Oxford (next to Walmart) and 6000 Signature Dr., Wildwood (at Sparr Building and Farm Supply). The centers are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Donations from the community support Goodwill’s services in Marion County, including employment programs for people with disabilities and low-cost apartments for seniors.
Thank You JetBlue! Earlier this year Goodwill’s BookWorks program received 224 new children’s books thanks to the support of First Book and its partner JetBlue. Our volunteers have since given the books to children in Head Start programs throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Here volunteer reader Lois Schnieder hands out books to a Head Start class in Tampa.
Waist Not! e l up• cy•c cts or material) y je b o ed rd ca is qualit 1. reuse (d duct of a higher ro p a te ea cr to e original. or value than th
A frayed belt by designer Betsey Johnson is transformed into a necklace by local artist and avid “thrifter” Jeannie Lawson.
Jeannie picked up this worn designer belt at Goodwill and immediately saw potential in the detailed buckle.
She gathered bits of broken or unwanted jewelry (some of which also came from Goodwill) to begin the belt’s transformation.
Jeannie cut the belt from the buckle, added a chain and then embellished the buckle with other pieces of jewelry.
The end result is a trendy, one-of-a-kind necklace!
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Two Lives, Turned Around How Goodwill’s work release program (and an understanding employer) got these two women back on their feet.
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onna Hird, 34, has already been own business. Both of them credit their employer Steve, and Goodwill’s work release program and case managers, through Goodwill’s two corrections programs – for their turnaround. first for drug treatment and later, after a relapse, for work release when she was sent to prison for grand theft. “I really appreciate them never giving up and remaining good role models,” Lucy says. Now the mother of 2-year-old twin girls is solidly back on track and working very hard to improve her life.
“I have my own apartment and my girls are with me,” Donna says. “I’m finally learning at 34 what I needed to learn at 24.” Since June 2013 Donna has worked for Coast Brothers, a janitorial supply service in Pinellas Park. The company president, Steve Collins, is a big supporter of Goodwill’s work release program. If people are willing to put the past behind them, Steve says, he’s willing to offer them an opportunity. His acceptance has helped turn around many lives. “Work release allowed me to get a job, reconnect with my daughters, have a transition period before the ‘real world,’ and to save money before my sentence was served,” Donna says. “If I didn’t have this job I’m not sure what I’d be doing. The stress of finding a job as a felon is horrible.” Lucy Hammond, 29, agrees. She served a five-year sentence in prison for trafficking charges, doing the final six months in work release. Lucy has worked for Coast for nine months. The job has taught her freight management, customer service and purchasing – plus she developed good connections working with vendors. “I’m lucky I found this job. It’s very professional and it’s giving me experience I can turn in to a career,” she says. “Everything has worked out exactly as it was supposed to.” Both Donna and Lucy have plans to go to college – Donna to major in criminal justice, Lucy to learn how to run her
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Lucy Hammond (seated) and Donna Hird are making the most of their new lives and the second chance Coast Brothers offered them.