ROCKVILLE, MD— Goodwill Industries International is one of four nonprofits eligible to receive a $10,000 grant from The Charles Schwab Corporation through a contest this week on its Charles Schwab Facebook page. The contest, part of Charles Schwab Volunteer Week, runs through midnight on Sunday, May 26.

Other finalists include the Boys & Girls Club of America, The Salvation Army and Teach for America. Each organization has posted a video on the Schwab Community Services Contest tab on the Charles Schwab Facebook page, describing the mission of the organization and the people they serve. Fans are encouraged to vote for the organization of their choice. The one with the most votes at midnight on Sunday, May 26, will receive the $10,000 grant, with the runners-up receiving smaller grants for their participation ($5,000 for second place, $2,000 for third place and $1,000 for fourth place). Vote for Goodwill by visiting this page.

“Schwab Volunteer Week is truly a celebration of the esprit de corps and culture of service throughout our company,” said Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, president of Charles Schwab Foundation and senior vice president, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. “It’s not only about the service we provide on behalf of our clients day in and day out, but what we can do for our communities as a whole that energizes us and gives meaning to our work.”

The Goodwill video on the Schwab page features Jim Barnette, Goodwill’s 2012 Achiever of the Year. Jim Barnette has multiple disabilities, including being legally blind and having mild quadriplegia as a result of a cerebral hemorrhage in infancy, and is happy and successful as a result of his long standing tenure as an employee for Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette (Portland, OR).

“Your donation to Goodwill changes lives,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Goodwill provides job training programs and community-based services, such as child care, financial education, youth mentoring and transportation to people with disabilities and disadvantages through the revenue from the sale of donated goods.”

During Schwab Volunteer Week, Schwab employees will also volunteer for Goodwill agencies on a series of projects, including financial education workshops and physical activities such as light construction, remodeling, painting, serving food and working on landscape and garden improvements.

Vote for Goodwill Now!

Goodwill, most widely known for its stores across North America, is a social enterprise that offers community-based job training and placement and wrap-around services, such as child care, financial education, youth mentoring, transportation, and community living skills for more than six million people each year.

Harwood’s most recent book, The Work of Hope: How Individuals and Organizations Can Authentically Do Good, drew Goodwill’s attention when planning for the conference. Harwood coaches people and organizations as they work together to solve pressing problems and reinvent how they can better communicate and collaborate within their communities.

“Rich Harwood’s insightful and inspirational message will refuel, recharge and reenergize Goodwill professionals, while reminding them of the impact they have on individuals with vocational disadvantages each and every day,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.

Harwood’s transformational work has spread to thousands of communities nationally and worldwide – from small towns to large cities – by applying concrete methods he created and honed over the past 25 years. These proven practices are based on hands-on work with individuals, organizations and communities in their quest to create change. Harwood’s talks, coaching techniques and practical guides have provided the hope and inspiration for individuals and groups to improve their public and private lives.

A visionary with the ability to help people identify obstacles and tap their aspirations, Harwood has inspired hundreds of audiences as he shares his philosophy of what it takes to be relevant and connected in today’s world.

A prolific author, Harwood’s books and guides include Make Hope Real and Why We’re Here: The Powerful Impact of Public Broadcasters When They Turn Outward. He has also written numerous studies and articles that chronicle the most vital issues of our time, and appeared on national media including CNN’s Inside Politics, MSNBC, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, NPR, Special Report with Brit Hume and C-SPAN.

John Owen, president and CEO of the Goodwill, has placed a high priority on relationship building in the agency’s advocacy efforts related to job creation and reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. Site visits by policymakers and appearances at Goodwill events encourage dialogue. Shortly after the November elections, Goodwill Industries of South Texas, in cooperation with the Executive Directors Council of the Coastal Bend, held a breakfast meeting for newly elected public officials. Nonprofits at the meeting created awareness of the human services needs in the region.

“John Owen and his team are to be commended for educating current and newly elected officials on policies and legislation that affect the individuals and families that Goodwill serves,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Their critical work has made the connection between Goodwill’s mission and stronger communities.”

Owen accepted the award on behalf of his agency at a May 15 reception in Washington, D.C. The reception is part of Goodwill Industries International’s seventh annual Advocacy Day – “Designing Goodwill into the Future.”

President and CEO John Dillworth has focused 2012 policy discussions on education — from kindergarten to adult literacy programs — as the key to economic development. Three Michigan state representatives and one state senator toured the Goodwill facilities in 2012 and were impressed with the efficiencies achieved through a human services campus that houses seven nonprofits. Dillworth also attends a monthly legislative meeting hosted each month by the Chamber of Commerce. The meeting attracts both state and federal policymakers for dialogue on issues impacting the community and region.

“Advocacy comes before policy action and the Kalamazoo Goodwill team has focused its energy on educating those leaders who can have impact on issues that affect Goodwill and the people and families we serve,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “The team is to be commended for furthering discussion on the critical need for education funding.”

The award was presented at a May 15 reception in Washington, D.C. The reception is part of Goodwill Industries International’s seventh annual Advocacy Day – “Designing Goodwill into the Future.”

The award recognizes a Goodwill^® agency that has demonstrated leadership and commitment to advancing Goodwill’s advocacy and policy efforts to further its mission of helping people secure employment and build stronger communities. This is the fourth year the agency has received the award.

Goodwill Industries of Arkansas has advocated on a variety of issues including job creation, funding for employment programs such as the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). In 2012, Goodwill team members held more than 40 meetings with local, state and federal policymakers.

“CEO Brian Itzkowitz and his team are to be commended for their tremendous commitment to educating policymakers on issues that affect Goodwill and the people and families we serve,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Their advocacy work has impact throughout the entire state of Arkansas and serves as a model for other agencies across the Goodwill enterprise.”

The award was presented at a May 15 reception in Washington, DC. The reception is part of Goodwill Industries International’s seventh annual Advocacy Day – “Designing Goodwill into the Future.” This is the second year that the Goodwill agency has been lauded for its public policy efforts.

The award recognizes a Goodwill^® agency that has demonstrated leadership and commitment to advancing Goodwill’s advocacy and policy efforts to further its mission of helping people secure employment and build stronger communities. This is the third year the agency has received the award.

The Goodwill focused its 2012 advocacy efforts in its Hampton Roads territory, meeting with several state delegates and senators in the region, including those representing Hampton, Newport News and Williamsburg, and the counties of James City and York. Goodwill Industries of Central Virginia also sought to strengthen relationships with federal legislators. Discussions continued on reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, charitable deductions, and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

“Goodwill Industries of Central Virginia operates across a large and diverse geographic area, yet is committed to educating policymakers across the region about issues that impact Goodwill^® programs and services,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Team members have demonstrated their advocacy efforts year after year.”

The award was presented at a May 15 reception in Washington, DC. The reception is part of Goodwill Industries International’s seventh annual Advocacy Day – “Designing Goodwill into the Future.”

President and CEO Tom Feurig has placed a priority on relationship-building and regularly invites policymakers to tour the agency’s operations including mission services, donated goods retail and contracts. State Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto (R-30) met with Feurig in August and toured the administrative offices, a Job-Link site, a retail store, the L.I.F.E. Academy charter school and Hatton B. Rogers Retirement Community. She returned in October with three of her staff members to volunteer at the Goodwill’s Trailways Camp for adults with disabilities.

Staff members from the offices of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson also met with Goodwill staff to learn about the many ways that Goodwill strengthens families and communities.

“Tom and his staff have done an excellent job of keeping Goodwill’s mission on policymakers’ radar,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Site visits paint a vivid picture of the Goodwill’s successful business and mission services model. They are to be commended for their diligence in advocating for policies that affect the people Goodwill serves.”

The award was presented at a May 15 reception in Washington, DC. The reception is part of Goodwill Industries International’s seventh annual Advocacy Day – “Designing Goodwill into the Future.”

Goodwill Industries of the Heartland (Iowa City, IA) nominated Harkin, who has been a long-standing advocate for people with disabilities. He served as a U.S. Congressman from 1975-1985, and as a U.S. Senator since 1985.

As a young senator, Harkin was tapped by Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) to craft legislation to protect the civil rights of millions of Americans with physical and mental disabilities. What emerged from that process would later become Harkin’s signature legislative achievement — The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He continues to advocate for broadening the application of the ADA to ensure that individuals have ample resources and opportunities. Harkin has also championed the UN Convention on the Rights for People with Disabilities and is working to have the treaty passed this year.

“Sen. Harkin advocates for the fair treatment of all individuals while also supporting equal opportunities. Through his work on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, he works to find balance between allowing individuals to thrive independently while providing supports that will give a leg up,” said Pat Airy, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Heartland. “Having served nearly four decades in Congress, Sen. Harkin will be missed.”

The award was announced at a reception in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, May 15th.  The reception was part of Goodwill Industries International’s seventh annual Advocacy Day – “Designing Goodwill into the Future.”

Like Goodwill, DeLauro is a champion of job creation as a means to strengthen the economy. She is a ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services, and Education, which provides funding to many of the federal programs leveraged by Goodwill, including the one-stop career center system. DeLauro is also an outspoken advocate for veterans and their families, and seeks to protect programs and services that improve their physical and mental well-being. She has supported legislation that now provides assistance to post-9/11 veterans choosing to pursue on-the-job training career services programs, such as those offered by Goodwill agencies nationwide.

Richard Borer, president and CEO of Easter Seals Goodwill Industries Rehabilitation Center, Inc. (North Haven, CT), nominated DeLauro for the award. “Congresswoman DeLauro shares Goodwill’s priorities when it comes to strengthening families through job creation and education. We look forward to working with her on legislative issues that can get more people into the workforce and onto the path to self-sufficiency.”

The award was announced at a reception in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, May 15th.  The reception was part of Goodwill Industries International’s seventh annual Advocacy Day – “Designing Goodwill into the Future.”

Goodwill Industries of South Texas (Corpus Christi) nominated Hinojosa, a long-time proponent of education and job training as a means to fuel economic growth. Hinojosa is the ranking member of the Education and Workforce Committee’s Higher Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). On February 15, Hinojosa introduced the Workforce Investment Act of 2013 to better assist out-of-work Americans, including the long-term unemployed, to acquire the skills that growing industries need.

In fall 2012, Hinojosa met with John Owen, CEO of Goodwill Industries of South Texas, at Hinojosa’s office in Edinburg, TX, which serves the Rio Grande Valley. The congressman expressed his support of Goodwill’s job training, job creation, and job placement services.

“The Workforce Investment Act of 2013 would help workers find jobs and careers through strategic partnerships with in-demand sector employers, community colleges, labor organizations, and nonprofits like Goodwill,” Owen said. “Rep. Hinojosa understands Goodwill’s central role in job training and creation, and we continue to appreciate his support of WIA.”

The award was announced at a reception in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, May 15th.  The reception was part of Goodwill Industries International’s seventh annual Advocacy Day – “Designing Goodwill into the Future.”

Blumenthal shares Goodwill’s belief that a vibrant workforce is the backbone of a strong U.S. economy, and that today’s workers must be prepared for new types of employment. He believes federal investments in job training programs and career-transition assistance are necessary to ensure that our workforce is versatile and adaptive.

A former sergeant in the U.S. United States Marine Corps Reserves, Blumenthal is also a staunch advocate for veterans’ services like those provided by Goodwill agencies nationwide.

Richard Borer, president and CEO of Easter Seals Goodwill Industries Rehabilitation Center, Inc. (North Haven, CT), nominated Blumenthal for the award. “Sen. Blumenthal and Goodwill share the same beliefs about ways to prepare workers today for tomorrow’s workforce. We are pleased to work with the senator on legislation and policies that promote education, job training and other career supports.”

The award was announced at a reception in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, May 15th.  The reception was part of Goodwill Industries International’s seventh annual Advocacy Day – “Designing Goodwill into the Future.”

From March 13 – 30, 2013, customers brought donations of used clothing and soft home goods to one of Bon-Ton’s 272 stores and furniture galleries. Goodwill sells these donations in its stores to fund job training programs and other community-based services such as financial education, job interview preparation, digital literacy courses and tax preparation in its communities. In exchange for their donations, customers received coupons worth 15 to 25 percent off their Bon-Ton purchases in stores and online.

“As customers cleaned out their homes for the semi-annual Bon-Ton Goodwill Sale, they were rewarded not only with discounts on new spring items, but they helped make a difference in their own communities through the power of their donations,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “This spring sale empowers customers to support local Goodwill agencies. The revenue from these donations helps Goodwill deliver a diverse portfolio of job training and placement programs to job seekers.”

The Bon-Ton Goodwill Sale, which has taken place every year since 1994, is held each spring and fall. The Sale is the largest and longest-standing department store donation drive with Goodwill. Since its inception, the cause-marketing collaboration has generated an estimated potential value of more than $211 million in revenue to support Goodwill’s employment services.

About Goodwill Industries International:

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of the top 25 most inspiring companies. (Forbes 2012). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 2,700 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2012, more than six million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill’s career services. Goodwill channels 82 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services.

To find a Goodwill near you, use the online locator at locator.goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl and @GoodwillCapHill, and find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

About The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.:

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., with corporate headquarters in York, Pennsylvania and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operates 272 department stores, which includes 11 furniture galleries, in 24 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers nameplates.  The Stores offer a broad assortment of national and private brand fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings. http://investors.bonton.com facebook.com/BonTon Twitter: @BonTon

CONTACTS:

Lauren Lawson-Zilai, (240) 333-5266
Goodwill Industries International
lauren.lawson@goodwill.org

Christine Hojnacki, (414) 347-5329
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
christine.hojnacki@bonton.com

Denver, CO — Joyce Schlose’s passion for improving the lives of youth led to the development of a Youth Career Development Program at Goodwill Industries of Denver (CO), which now serves 18,000 students per year. For innovation in developing career readiness strategies for youth at risk of dropping out of school, Goodwill Industries International honors Schlose with the 2013 Robert E. and Charlotte Watkins Award for Excellence in Mission Advancement.

Schlose, vice president of workforce development for Goodwill^®, won the support of the superintendent of Denver Public Schools to implement ongoing career readiness classes for youth in area high schools. The program equips students with job and life skills, introduces them to possible career paths, prepares them for post-secondary education and connects them with mentors from the business community. Today, Goodwill Industries of Denver has 40 licensed, full-time teachers at 31 Denver and Northern Colorado schools that have traditionally high drop-out rates.

Schlose uses a third-party evaluator from the University of Colorado to track the program’s success. In 2012, 84 percent of Goodwill Denver students graduated compared to 55 percent of non-Goodwill students. The drop-out rate for Goodwill students was 11 percent compared to 26 percent for non-Goodwill students. Almost 50 percent of Goodwill students enroll in college compared to 30 percent of non-Goodwill students.

“Joyce’s vision has resulted in an exemplary youth program that can be duplicated by other Goodwill member organizations,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Goodwill Industries of Denver has been fortunate to have her leadership for the past 17 years, and the Goodwill enterprise can benefit greatly from Joyce’s successes.”

Schlose will receive her award at Goodwill’s annual Delegate Assembly meeting in Grand Rapids, MI, on Sunday, June 23.

ABOUT THE AWARD

The Robert E. and Charlotte Watkins Award for Mission Advancement honors a Goodwill leader (CEO, staff or volunteer) who has made an innovative contribution (service or process) to the advancement of the Goodwill mission.

Macon, GA — Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA (Macon) went from serving almost no Hispanic clients in 2009 to serving more than 1,700 in 2012, in large part due to outreach performed by Hispanic Services Manager Elsa Bustamante. For her efforts in expanding the reach of Goodwill services to this growing population, Goodwill Industries International honors Bustamante with the 2013 Edgar J. Helms Award for Staff.

In her role, Bustamante designs and implements outreach and marketing plans to recruit Hispanic job seekers across a 35-county area who need skills training, résumé help and other career services. She works closely with partner agencies serving Hispanics to coordinate service delivery. In 2012, she organized the Goodwill’s first-ever Hispanic Diversity Career Fair.

Bustamante also formed the Hispanic Council for Augusta, GA, and the Hispanic Advisory Council for Macon, GA. The councils bring together Hispanic-serving organizations once a month to share information, network and discuss ways to better serve the Hispanic community across all sectors.

“As the face of Goodwill^®, Elsa has worked tirelessly to earn the trust of the Hispanic community and to spread the word about Goodwill’s mission,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Elsa embodies the very qualities Goodwill founder Rev. Edgar J. Helms held dear. She offers people a hand up, not a hand out.”

Bustamante will receive her award at Goodwill’s annual Delegate Assembly meeting in Grand Rapids, MI, on Sunday, June 23.

ABOUT THE AWARD

The Edgar J. Helms Award for Staff honors a current Goodwill employee who has not received Goodwill services in the past and who exemplifies the mission of Goodwill Industries and its founder Rev. Edgar J. Helms’ values of unselfish service to people with disabilities or other disadvantaging conditions.

Macon, GA — Fred “Cab” Stitt owns a successful portable restroom and restroom trailer service in Augusta, GA, but says his primary vocation is philanthropist and volunteer. For the past decade, his volunteerism has benefited Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA (Macon) in numerous ways. For his leadership in establishing the Goodwill Works Foundation and raising more than $8 million for the organization, Goodwill Industries International names Stitt the 2013 Elsine Katz Volunteer Leader of the Year.

Stitt served as chair of the board for the Goodwill® in Macon before establishing the foundation that supports the agency’s primary mission services and programs. He was the lead donor for two capital campaigns that funded career campuses in both Macon and Augusta, GA.

In 2006, he helped launch the Santa Wheels bicycle program, which teaches Goodwill program participants to refurbish bicycles. The bikes are then given to children from families with low incomes during the holidays, and more than 200 bikes are donated annually.

Stitt also championed the first major fundraiser for the Goodwill’s Augusta region, GoodBoats for Goodwill, a dragon boat race that involved 250 volunteers in the planning and implementation. The 2012 event raised $46,000, surpassing the original goal of $25,000.

“Cab is successful businessman and entrepreneur, yet his passion lies in helping others,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “He is a true leader. He donates money before inspiring others to give. He donates time before motivating others to join him.”

Stitt will receive his award at Goodwill’s annual Delegate Assembly meeting in Grand Rapids, MI, on Sunday, June 23.

ABOUT THE AWARD

The Elsine Katz Volunteer Leader of the Year Award is given to a local Goodwill Industries® volunteer in recognition of outstanding leadership and service to a member Goodwill organization. It is named in honor of the late Elsine Katz, a past president of Goodwill Industries Volunteer Services at Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee (Nashville), who endowed the award.

Sarasota, FL — A cadre of more than 300 volunteers dedicated 25,000 hours in 2012 to spreading the mission of Goodwill Industries-Manasota (Sarasota, FL). Goodwill Industries International named the Sarasota Goodwill’s Ambassador Program the 2013 Volunteer Program of the Year.

Ambassadors from the program routinely speak with service clubs, faith-based organizations, professional associations, youth groups and others to build awareness of Goodwill’s programs and services, as well as Goodwill’s contribution to the community.

The program is a successful partnership between unpaid volunteers and a full-time, paid Goodwill staff member who oversees the program, recruits and trains volunteers, and develops ways to recognize and retain ambassadors.

Volunteers also assist with donation drives and fundraising events, including an annual Mardi Gras Party, which raised $180,000 in 2012, and the Ambassador Awards Dinner, which raised $150,000.

“Goodwill Industries-Manasota has developed a proven volunteer structure that extends the agency’s resources and enhances external communications and public outreach,” said Jim Gibbons, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Volunteers come from all walks of life and share a passion for Goodwill’s mission of providing job training for people with disabilities and disadvantages.”

The award will be presented during Goodwill’s annual Delegate Assembly in Grand Rapids, MI, on Sunday, June 23.

ABOUT THE AWARD

The Volunteer Program of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding volunteer-driven program at a member Goodwill organization that is mission focused and outcomes oriented. The winning program has a lasting impact on the people Goodwill serves and is a model for other Goodwill organizations to replicate.

West Palm Beach, FL — Michele Carter, director of re-entry and juvenile justice services for Gulfstream Goodwill Industries (West Palm Beach, FL), helps those who were formerly incarcerated to find jobs and successfully re-enter the workplace. Carter inspires her clients with her own personal journey through addiction and homelessness. For her dedication to improving the lives of others, Goodwill Industries International honors Carter with the 2013 Edgar J. Helms Award for Graduate Staff.

As a young adult, Carter dropped out of high school and turned to drugs and alcohol. She moved in with a man 12 years her senior and had a son. She says their on-again, off-again relationship exacerbated her drug and alcohol use. When she divorced her husband, Carter asked her sister to take care of her son. After becoming homeless, she decided it was time to make positive changes in her life. She enrolled in Gulfstream Goodwill’s Project Success, a transitional housing program that supported her recovery and transition back into the working world.

In February 2007, Carter was working at a detox center when she saw a job opening for an ex-offender/re-entry program manager at Goodwill^®. The job required a bachelor’s degree or equivalent job and life experience. During her interview, Carter convinced the hiring manager that she had both the skills and the passion to help others, and she earned the position.

“Former program participants are often the key to the success of current participants. They lead by example and provide an extra layer of support,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Michele is a true ambassador for self-reliance and what can be achieved through hard work.”

Carter serves on numerous boards and is active in community organizations that work with the homeless and the formerly incarcerated. She is a founding member of Palm Beach County’s Criminal Justice Commission Re-Entry Task Force.

Of her award, Carter says, “”Once I accepted and embraced the resources I needed to transform my life I gained the confidence to make it happen.”

Carter will receive her award at Goodwill’s annual Delegate Assembly meeting in Grand Rapids, MI, on June 23.

ABOUT THE AWARD

The Edgar J. Helms Award for Graduate Staff honors a current Goodwill employee who is a past recipient of Goodwill services and exemplifies the mission of Goodwill Industries and its founder Rev. Edgar J. Helms’ values of unselfish service to people with disabilities or other disadvantaging conditions.

ROCKVILLE, MD — Tyres Dickson had just started a promising college football career with the University of Texas (UT) Longhorns when a drunk driver changed the course of his life. An accident left him paralyzed from the chest down but, with Goodwill’s help, he developed skills that earned him a job that focuses on his abilities and not his disability. Goodwill Industries International recently named Dickson its 2013 Achiever of the Year for his efforts to redefine what makes a successful work life.

After the accident, Dickson spent 18 months of recovery in the hospital and eight months learning life skills to deal with limited mobility. He then re-enrolled at UT to continue his education, but was unable to attend classes due to difficulties related to his paralysis and he moved back to Houston, TX, to live with his mother. Compensation from the accident allowed him to pursue his own audio and sound mixing business, but the theft of his audio equipment in December 2008 left him without the means to earn a paycheck.

Dick Taylor, a UT alum and football booster who’d met Dickson almost a decade earlier, heard about the theft. Taylor was a friend of Steve Lufburrow, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Houston (TX), and called him immediately and set up a meeting between Dickson and the CEO.

Lufburrow saw promise in the young man and hired him as the agency’s transportation dispatcher. When he learned Dickson didn’t have a way to get to work, Lufburrow enlisted help from others at Goodwill, including Emily Conner, who worked in the Goodwill’s human resources department and was paralyzed in a diving accident. She helped Dickson access the job readiness supports that helped him succeed on the job.

“Challenges to employment don’t exist in Tyres’ world. He demonstrates that meaningful work is something everyone deserves,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.

Although his path has not always been easy, Dickson has remained upbeat, determined and humble. He has used his life story to inspire others through local speaking opportunities.

“After my accident and the break-in, I was somewhat weary of the character of man,” he said. “Goodwill made me realize there were still people in the world that truly cared about helping others. With the help of Goodwill, I am now able to fully accept God’s will for my life and future. I hope to help pay it forward by being an inspiration for others.”

Dickson will be honored during Goodwill’s annual Delegate Assembly meeting in June 2013 in Grand Rapids, MI.

Goodwill Industries International’s Achiever of the Year is a person who has shown great progress and accomplishment in overcoming challenges to finding employment, and who still benefits from the Goodwill work environment or receives services to support employment at a community site.

ROCKVILLE, MD – After serving almost two decades in prison, J. Jondhi Harrell is an outspoken advocate for individuals who were formerly incarcerated as they rejoin their communities. He began mentoring others while still in prison and, upon his release, received help from Goodwill^® to find a job helping people with criminal backgrounds. He then formed a nonprofit to carry on this work. For making a difference in the lives of others who’ve shared similar challenges, Goodwill Industries International named Harrell its 2013 Kenneth Shaw Graduate of the Year.

When Harrell was released from prison, he enrolled in the Re-Entry Program at Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia (Maple Shade, NJ) for people with criminal backgrounds. While in the program, he used transitional employment with Goodwill as a stepping stone to other work. He also earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix and is currently working toward a master’s in social work at Temple University.

When he’s not studying, Harrell divides his time between working as a service coordinator at Pathways to Housing PA in Philadelphia and running his own nonprofit, The Center for Returning Citizens, that helps people with criminal backgrounds find work, housing and other supports. Harrell is a tireless advocate for those who’ve had similar experiences to his own, and he’s a confident public speaker, spreading the word to policy makers, the media and the public about the need for a continuum of services for this population.

“For people coming out of prisons and jails, it takes more than a strong desire to be relevant in today’s workplace. It takes a well-integrated system of services and someone willing to hire people with criminal backgrounds,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “J. Harrell is an individual who turned his life around and is paying it forward by helping others.”

Harrell redirects the praise he receives to those around him, saying his accomplishments would not have been possible without Goodwill’s help. “I am proud to be a part of the Goodwill family. The Goodwill model for assisting former prisoners should be adopted across the country. Recidivism rates would fall, families would be reunited and communities would be stronger.”

Harrell will receive his award at Goodwill’s annual Delegate Assembly meeting in Grand Rapids, MI, this June.

Goodwill Industries International’s Kenneth Shaw Graduate of the Year Award honors an outstanding person for completing a Goodwill Industries^® career program and becoming competitively employed by a non-Goodwill employer in the community. The award was renamed in 2008 to honor the late Kenneth Shaw’s significant contributions to the Goodwill movement over a four-decade period.

Every year since 1951, Goodwill agencies across the United States and Canada have marked the first full week of May as Goodwill Industries Week, a commemoration that celebrates new jobs and changed lives. As is Goodwill’s tradition, from May 5 –11, Goodwill Industries Week will include a variety of events including more than 160 on-the-ground fairs and several local donation drives and celebrations reflecting on how the social enterprise has grown with the times yet kept true to its founding values.

In addition, Goodwill will be celebrating Goodwill Industries Week through an inaugural Virtual Career Fair specifically targeted toward women, youth, veterans and military families. Goodwill funds its job training and placement programs by selling donations of gently used clothing, household items, and other used goods, in both stores and online, and uses the revenue to support people who are both unemployed or underemployed. Goodwill’s career services and integrated programs are uniquely customized to meet the needs of job seekers.

“When you give to Goodwill, you are helping people who lack education or work experience, those who have a physical or mental disability, seniors, veterans reintegrating into society and anyone with a disadvantaging condition,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “As one of North America’s top five most valuable and recognized nonprofit brands – and the leading nonprofit provider of employment programs for people who face challenges to finding employment – Goodwill has been helping people gain the opportunity to become self-sufficient through the power of hard work for 111 years.”

In 2012, Goodwill revenues topped $4.8 billion. Nearly 82 percent of those funds went directly toward supporting and growing employment placement programs and other support services — including financial education, youth mentoring and transportation — for people in communities across the United States and Canada. In addition, the organization placed nearly 217,000 people into employment — 27,000 more than last year — in a variety of business ventures and high-growth industries. These fields included banking, education and social services, heath care, and hospitality.

“Every 33 seconds of every business day, someone finds a job through Goodwill,” said Gibbons. “Every 5 seconds, another person accesses Goodwill opportunities to build careers and strong families.

ROCKVILLE, MD — Goodwill Industries International and Rotary International are partnering to help thousands of people find and keep good jobs this spring. Members of Rotary clubs across the United States and Canada will be cleaning out their closets and donating gently used clothing and household items to Goodwill during a donation drive that will run from now until May 31.

Rotary clubs as well as Rotaract and Interact clubs (Rotary-sponsored service clubs for young adults and high school students, respectively), will collect clothing and soft good donations to be sold in local Goodwill stores. The revenue from the sale of the donated goods will be used to fund job training programs and support services — such as child care, financial education, youth mentoring and transportation — for people facing challenges to finding employment. Goodwill provides career services to anyone having a hard time finding employment, including people who are unemployed or underemployed.

“A simple act like cleaning out your closets and donating what you no longer need to Goodwill has the power to change lives,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Both Goodwill and Rotary are committed to creating and expanding opportunities for people to earn good jobs and support their families. Through this partnership, we are meeting the unique needs of individuals in local communities across the United States and Canada.”

Goodwill and Rotary share an interest in building strong communities together. In addition to the donation drive, the two organizations also work together on vocational training and mentoring projects. Rotarians also help with social services, such as providing tuition and transportation for children and adults with disabilities to attend education and recreation camps.

The cooperative relationship builds on Rotary’s strength as an association of professionals committed to service and on Goodwill’s expertise in education and job training. Since 2001, Rotarians have supported Goodwill through community-based projects as well as through job training, career fairs, grants and fundraising. Both organizations recognize the power of work and the critical role employment and training play in building personal financial stability as well as economically strong communities.

For more information, visit http://goodwill.org/rotary.

ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL:Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of America’s top 25 most inspiring companies (Forbes). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 2,700 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2012, more than five million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill’s career services. Goodwill channels 82 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services.

To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at locator.goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl or @GoodwillCapHill, and find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

ABOUT ROTARY INTERNATIONAL:
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. There are 1.2 million Rotary members in more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary clubs have been serving communities worldwide for more than a century.

CONTACT:
Lauren Lawson-Zilai
Goodwill Industries International
Phone: (240) 333-5266
Lauren.Lawson@goodwill.org

Kimberly Dunbar
Rotary International
Phone: (847) 866-3469
Kimberly.Dunbar@rotary.org

ROCKVILLE, MD — Building on its 111-year history of helping people reach their full potential through the power of work, Goodwill Industries® is holding a series of career fairs during its annual Goodwill Industries Week, May 5 ­– 11.

Dozens of community-based Goodwill agencies throughout the United States and Canada are hosting in-person career fairs and hiring events, which last year drew more than 11,400 job seekers and 647 participating employers. This year, 28 Goodwill headquarter locations will host in-person hiring fairs, and the number of attending job seekers is expected to increase.

In addition, Goodwill Industries International will host its second annual virtual career fair from May 6 – 8. Some 7,500 job seekers from across the United States and Canada participated in the 2012 inaugural event. The virtual career fair will be hosted through Monster.com, enabling job seekers to meet with employers and apply for jobs from anywhere.

This year, Goodwill will also use Google Hangouts to support the virtual career fair, which will be specifically targeted toward three populations struggling to find employment: women, youth, and veterans and military families.

To kick-off the virtual career fair, Goodwill will be hosting an exclusive event for media and bloggers on Wednesday, May 1 from 1:00 – 1:45 p.m. EDT on the Google+ Hangout platform.

Speakers will include:

Tim Norman, Director of Overhead and Technology Recruiting at Dreamworks Animation and veteran

Shawn Imitates Dog, Human Resources, Creative Artists Agency, Producer

Brad Turner-Little, Director of Mission Strategy, Goodwill Industries International

Register for the Hangout by visiting http://bit.ly/VCFMediaLaunch.

“By utilizing the vast reach of Google, Goodwill will be able to connect with job seekers in different parts of the country at the same time, allowing them to talk about issues of importance to them,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.

The audio and video sessions on Google Hangouts for the virtual career fair will take place as follows:

• Google Hangout for Veteran and Military Family Job Seekers: Monday, May 6, 1:00 – 1:45 p.m. EDT
• Google Hangout for Youth Job Seekers: Tuesday, May 7, 1:00 – 1:45 p.m. EDT
• Google Hangout for Women Job Seekers: Wednesday, May 8, 1:00 – 1:45 p.m. EDT

“This is a great opportunity for employers as well as for workers,” said Gibbons. “Certainly, for job seekers, it opens up a greater avenue to find work. For employers, it offers the chance to refine recruiting strategies, expand candidate pools, and reach candidates who might not be able to attend an in-person fair.”

To learn more and register for Goodwill’s career fair and Google Hangout events, visit: http://goodprospects.goodwill.org/career-fairs/

ROCKVILLE, MD — As the college school year comes to an end, students leaving campus often leave perfectly good clothing, electronics, books and furniture in overflowing campus dumpsters. With an estimated three million students living in campus housing at 2,100 colleges and universities nationwide, that is a lot of reusable goods.

In an effort to address this problem, Keep America Beautiful (KAB) is partnering with Goodwill® this spring to pilot the Give and Go: Move Out 2013 collection program on five college campuses. Working in conjunction with the College and University Recycling Coalition (CURC), the initiative encourages college students to take positive action by donating their unwanted books, clothing, electronics, kitchen utensils, and other dorm items as they pack up and leave for their summer break. After students donate their goods, those items are sold at a local Goodwill, and the revenue is used to fund job training and community-based services for people who face challenges to finding employment.

“Communities nationwide are seeing piles of everyday household goods ending up in landfills,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “We know that college students are conservation-minded and willing to do something on behalf of the planet if it’s convenient and fun. Give and Go is an easy solution that offers tangible results.”

Donation efforts at five colleges and universities this spring will establish best practices that can help other schools create and improve their own collection efforts. The five pilot schools for the 2013 program are: Creighton University (Nebraska); Northern Illinois University; University of Toledo (Ohio); Franklin College (Indiana); and Trinity University (Texas). Each of the local Goodwill agencies will drop off large blue containers to be placed in the lobby of each residence hall, and students will be encouraged to donate items that they’re not taking home. The schools are receiving additional marketing and technical support to help increase student participation and recovery of donated items.

“We’re excited to partner with Goodwill on this project,” said Matt McKenna, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful. “Give and Go is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate to students that waste reduction means more than simply recycling cans and bottles. Working with Goodwill to pilot this collection program will help us develop best practices that can help many other schools in future years.”

The process of recovering clothing and other reusable goods discarded by students has positive social and environmental impacts. A single box of books can provide 13 hours of on-the-job training and eight desk lamps can provide an hour-and-a-half of résumé preparation to cite two examples. In addition, recycling broken and obsolete electronics in a responsible manner prevents heavy metals and other hazardous materials from being released into the environment. Through Give and Go, students will learn that putting reusable goods to a new use benefits the environment across the board by reducing the impact from manufacturing brand new alternative items.

Keep America Beautiful’s involvement in the Give and Go program fulfills a commitment made through the Clinton Global Initiative-University (CGIU). The results of the five pilot events will be incorporated into a report submitted to CGIU in the summer of 2013.

About Goodwill Industries International

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of America’s top 25 most inspiring companies (Forbes). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 2,700 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2012, more than five million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill’s career services. Goodwill channels 82 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services.

To find a Goodwill near you, use the online locator at locator.goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl and @GoodwillCapHill, and find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

About Keep America Beautiful
Keep America Beautiful is the nation’s leading nonprofit that brings people together to build and sustain vibrant communities. With a network of more than 1,200 affiliate and participating organizations including state recycling organizations, we work with millions of volunteers to take action in their communities. Keep America Beautiful offers solutions that create clean, beautiful public places, reduce waste and increase recycling, generate positive impact on local economies and inspire generations of environmental stewards. Through our programs and public-private partnerships, we engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community’s environment. For more information, visit kab.org.

CONTACT

Lauren Lawson-Zilai
Goodwill Industries International
Phone: (240) 333-5266
Lauren.Lawson@goodwill.org

Alec Cooley
KAB
Phone: (843) 278-7686
acooley@kab.org

ROCKVILLE, MD — On this 43rd annual Earth Day, the environment has become an increasingly complex world of climate change, carbon offsets and emissions guidelines. While these big-picture issues can often seem far removed from everyday life, Goodwill Industries International encourages consumers to remember the widespread impact the simple act of donating goods can make.

For more than 110 years, Goodwill has been an entrepreneurial leader, environmental pioneer and social innovator of the “reduce, reuse, repurpose” practice. Goodwill diverts more than two billion pounds of clothing and household goods every year from landfills by recovering the value in people’s unwanted material goods and creating job-training opportunities for people in need of work. In addition, Goodwill and Dell’s free computer recycling program, Dell Reconnect, allows people to make electronics donations knowing it’s good for people and the planet. With more than 2,500 Goodwill locations participating, the Dell Reconnect program provides people with an opportunity to simply drop off used electronics (any brand in any condition) at a participating Goodwill location, and the trained staff will inspect the equipment and either reuse, refurbish or recycle it. More than 253 million pounds of computer electronics have been responsibly recycled since the partnership began in 2004.

In 2010, Goodwill launched the Donate Movement, a corporate social responsibility platform and public awareness movement that encourages consumers to think of donating used goods as just as essential to environmental responsibility as recycling paper and plastics. Via the Donate Movement microsite (donate.goodwill.org), users can calculate the social impact of their own clothing and household item donations through the patent-pending donation impact calculator, while a new feature on the site tracks how many pounds of usable goods Goodwill has diverted from landfills since January 2012 — currently totaling more than three billion.

“With Earth Day now four decades old, more Americans than ever before are concerned about environmental issues,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Yet it is easy to lose track of the ways that one person can make a difference. For more than a century, Goodwill has linked protecting the environment to helping people earn paychecks, support their families and strengthen their communities.”

The Donate Movement website lets consumers see how much of an impact they can make on the planet by donating used goods. The website also provides a step-by-step guide on how to organize a donation drive at a campus, school or other location, gives bloggers the opportunity to raise awareness by joining the Donate Movement network, and provides resources on where to bring used goods. For more information, visit donate.goodwill.org.

Rockville, MD — Goodwill Industries International is pleased to announce that Beyoncé Knowles-Carter will lend her voice to help raise awareness about Goodwill’s mission of transforming lives through the power of work. The announcement comes just as Beyoncé gets ready to kick off The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour today in Serbia.

“Goodwill helps people get back to work by providing education, job training and placement. I wanted to team up with an organization that puts people first and works every day to help them improve and re-establish their lives,” said Beyoncé.

Beyoncé will encourage fans to support Goodwill by promoting donation drives at her North American concerts beginning on Friday, June 28, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Goodwill will host a mobile donation center onsite at 28 tour venues in 24 North American cities, collecting clothing, electronics and small household goods. The revenue from the sale of these donations will directly benefit local Goodwill agencies in their work to help people with disabilities and disadvantages, and anyone facing challenges to finding employment.

Beyoncé will also help build awareness of Goodwill’s mission through in-concert education, social media and online ticket auctions. Global charity auction site Charitybuzz.com will auction special ticket packages for The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour, with the revenue benefitting Goodwill.

Every 38 seconds of every business day, a person served by Goodwill is placed in employment. Goodwill promotes independence and dignity for people who need support to provide for themselves and their families. When people donate to their local Goodwill, they play a vital role in fulfilling this mission. Financial donations and the revenue generated from the sale of used goods helps to sustain skills training, career placement services and job opportunities, and support services such as career counseling, access to free tax preparation and financial coaching. Members of the public can do their part to support Beyoncé’s efforts by giving goods, giving financially, or giving their voice to increase awareness of Goodwill’s mission of transforming lives through the power of work.

Beyoncé will also support and advocate on behalf of other local charitable agencies involved in job creation and employment services during the overseas portion of her tour, to bring to light the importance of economic independence and an increased quality of life for those in need around the globe.

“We face a jobs crisis in the U.S. and around the world that threatens the future and the potential of our families and communities. Through Beyoncé’s platform, we will be able to increase knowledge of the positive impact Goodwill has on communities, the environment and the lives of the millions of people we serve each year through education and skills training, many of whom have been unemployed or underemployed for long periods of time,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “We cannot begin to express our sincere gratitude to Beyoncé for her generous support of Goodwill and for showcasing Goodwill’s far-reaching programs and services that change lives each day.”

About Goodwill Industries International

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of America’s top 25 most inspiring companies (Forbes). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 2,700 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2012, more than five million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill’s career services. Goodwill channels 82 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services.

To find a Goodwill near you, use the online locator at locator.goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl or @GoodwillCapHill, or find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

About Charitybuzz

Charitybuzz raises funds for nonprofits around the globe through online auctions with the world’s most recognizable celebrities and brands. Featuring access to acclaimed actors and musicians, business and political leaders, sports stars, luxury travel, couture fashion, rare memorabilia and more, Charitybuzz brings its online community of bidders exclusive opportunities to live their dreams and make a difference.  Since launching, Charitybuzz has raised more than $75 million for charity.

For more information, please visit Charitybuzz.com, like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/CharityBuzz or follow us on Twitter @Charitybuzz.

The project is run by Jenna Isaacson, a Washington, DC-based independent visual journalist and lover of all things thrift. She will travel the country to document consumerism in the country and the toll it has taken on valuable resources and financial stability. Isaacson, who grew up thrifting with her grandfather in Illinois and Florida, will travel cross-country and search for treasures at Goodwill stores in Albany, NY; Baltimore, MD; Burlington, VT; Charlotte, NC; Charleston, WV; Cleveland, OH; Columbia, SC; Columbus, OH; Concord, NH; Detroit, MI; Morgantown, WV; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland, ME; Richmond, VA; Savannah, GA; Scranton, PA; and Stratford, NJ, photographically documenting the goods that can be found at Goodwill stores. When not visiting a Goodwill store, Isaacson will visit thrift stores that support local community efforts, including animal shelters, domestic violence shelters, hospices, hospitals, and services for people who are homeless. In the process, she will be encouraging a more ‘second-hand’ consumer lifestyle. Goodwill is sponsoring Isaacson’s transportation, a fuel-efficient hybrid vehicle. BALCON Enterprises, a Gaylord box and bulk bag manufacturer, and supplier of packaging supplies used by various Goodwill agencies throughout the United States, is also sponsoring the project due to its commitment to environmental sustainability and Goodwill’s mission of providing job training for people with disabilities and disadvantages through the revenue from the sale of donated goods.

“With the economic paradigm shifting rapidly towards reuse and repurpose, showcasing America’s thrift stores, particularly Goodwill stores, is a great way to engage Americans’ creativity,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Jenna is taking her passion for donated goods and educating the public on the tie-in between donations and environmental sustainability. She’s also disproving negative stereotypes about thrift stores and bringing light to the Goodwill mission and sharing her knowledge of the benefits of second-hand living.”

Isaacson, who departed from Washington, DC, on her thrifting expedition, intends to raise awareness about the positive aspects of second-hand shopping in local communities while also demonstrating the benefits of donating, including shrinking landfills, reducing clutter, saving money for municipalities and boosting the economy. Isaacson’s trip will complete 48 of her 50 “thrifty” states. Her first trip was in June 2011, and she crisscrossed the country visiting more than 60 thrift stores, including 32 Goodwill stores in 30 states and traveling 10,200 miles.

“With All Thrifty States, my goal is to not only make an impact on the environment but to provide a window on the story of America’s communities through the observation of things they once owned,” said Isaacson, founder of All Thrifty States. “Goodwill stores are one example. The stores contain a distinct variety of items that are reasonably priced, stylish, fun and say a lot about the communities that surround them.”

For more information, visit http://allthriftystates.com or Twitter: @AllThriftyState and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/All-Thrifty-States/112781348732621.

To help ease the financial burden of the tax preparation process and make sure individuals and families receive their full tax refunds, the Walmart Foundation has partnered with Goodwill Industries International, the National Disability Institute and United Way Worldwide to offer MyFreeTaxes.com, a completely free online tax-filing service.
With seven days left to file their taxes, here is a countdown of the top five things Americans should know about before filing.

5. Save $200.

According to the National Society of Accountants, the average tax prep fee for an itemized Form 1040 with Schedule A plus a state tax return is $229. Millions of Americans pay hundreds to file their taxes without knowing they may be eligible for free preparation and filing. MyFreeTaxes.com is a free tool for eligible taxpayers earning $57,000 or less that provides the experience of a paid tax preparer without the cost. MyFreeTaxes.com offers free federal and state tax preparation and filing either in-person or online. Visit MyFreeTaxes.com for more information.

4. Get returns faster.

The IRS recommends electronic filing as the fastest way to get your refund. The MyFreeTaxes.com online tax preparation and filing tool, powered by H&R Block, can save filers time and money and help get their refunds faster. Users’ work is saved at every step so they can start filing online and come back later. All that is required is a valid email address. Interested filers should visit MyFreeTaxes.com to get started, and contact the helpline 1-855-My-Tx-Help (1-855-698-9435) with any questions. Representatives are available Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (EST) via phone or online chat.

3. Get an income boost.

In addition to saving on tax prep fees through MyFreeTaxes.com, American workers may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a federal tax credit that can provide a crucial income boost benefiting individual workers, their families and their communities.

Tax credits, whether the EITC or the child and dependent care tax credit, can make all the difference in helping families pay for utilities, food and rent every month. To find a free tax preparation site or get more information about the EITC, filers can call 2-1-1 or visit MyFreeTaxes.com.

2. Gather data.

MyFreeTaxes.com offers a checklist to avoid late fees and penalties and help individuals keep all of their paperwork in one place to save time and maximize refunds. Important items to remember include W-2s, 1099s and 1098s, incomes/interest statements, bank account numbers, previous years’ tax returns, charitable donations, social security numbers, dates of birth, and other important receipts.

1. Maximize your money.

Filers can put their refunds to good use through long-term investments that improve their financial future, such as buying a house, obtaining additional education or training, or saving for retirement. Other good uses for their tax refunds include paying down debt and overdue bills or creating an emergency fund through a savings or money market account.

MyFreeTaxes.com is easy, safe, secure and only takes about an hour to file. With the tax deadline right around the corner, now is the time for Americans to file their tax returns.

CONTACT:

Walmart Media Relations
news.walmart.com/reporter
(800) 331-0085

Lauren Lawson-Zilai
Goodwill Industries International
(240) 333-5266
lauren.lawson@goodwill.org

Lisa Stockmann Karp
National Disability Institute
(202) 695-2180
lkarp@ndi-inc.org

Amanda Ponzar
United Way Worldwide
(703) 836-7112, ext. 253
amanda.ponzar@uww.uniteday.org

About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to helping people live better through philanthropic efforts. By operating globally and giving back locally, Walmart is uniquely positioned to address the needs of the communities it serves and make a significant social impact within its core areas of giving: Hunger Relief and Nutrition, Sustainability, Career Opportunity and Women’s Economic Empowerment. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are leading the fight against hunger in the United States with a $2 billion commitment through 2015. Walmart has donated more than 900 million meals to those in need across the country. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit foundation.walmart.com.

About Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of America’s top 25 most inspiring companies (Forbes, 2012). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 2,700 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2012, more than four million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill’s career services. Goodwill channels 82 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services. To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at locator.goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl or @GoodwillCapHill, or find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

About National Disability Institute
National Disability Institute (NDI) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better economic future for people with disabilities. The first national organization committed exclusively to championing economic empowerment, financial education, asset development and financial stability for all persons with disabilities. National Disability Institute effects change through public education, policy development, training, technical assistance and innovative initiatives. Since 2005, National Disability Institute and its Real Economic Impact (REI) Network of more than 900 partners in more than 100 cities nationwide have helped 1.5 million people with disabilities receive more than $1.4 billion in tax refunds. To learn more, visit www.realeconomicimpact.org

About United Way
United Way is a worldwide network in 41 countries and territories, including more than 1,200 local organizations in the U.S. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the key building blocks of education, income and health. United Way recruits people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. LIVE UNITED® is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. For more information about United Way, please visit www.UnitedWay.org

Rockville, MD —Members of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) have named Goodwill Industries International as the 2013 most supportive and organizer-friendly charity. NAPO members chose Goodwill based on its high quality of service to donors as well as its ability to maximize the value of donations to benefit the community. The awards ceremony took place at the Sheraton Universal Studios hotel in Los Angeles, CA.

Goodwill was selected for the award based on its ability to effectively reuse and repurpose goods for maximum benefit and setting the standard for home productivity. Other nominees in the category included Helping Hands for the Blind, National Council of Jewish Women, Soles4Souls and Vietnam Veterans of America.

“By encouraging people to donate the things they no longer need, professional organizers are not only helping people declutter, they are helping people make positive contributions in their communities,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Donations to Goodwill fund job training programs, education services and employment placement opportunities for more than four million people each year.”

Donations to Goodwill, including those facilitated by professional organizers, are crucial to helping Goodwill provide the services that families need. Goodwill prepares people for job interviews, helps them write résumés, and teaches them to use computers. Goodwill also trains people to work in a variety of growing fields including health care, retail and financial services. In addition, Goodwill provides community-based services that help job seekers be successful in their personal and professional lives, including links to child care, financial education, mentoring and transportation.

“As a professional organizer and Goodwill spokesperson, I’ve seen firsthand the joy and satisfaction someone feels after earning a job with Goodwill’s help,” said Lorie Marrero, founder of the Clutter Diet^® and spokesperson for Goodwill. “Donations to Goodwill have an immediate and positive impact on the lives of people in our communities.”

NAPO has 4,200 members who are dedicated to helping individuals and businesses bring order and efficiency to their lives. The relationship between Goodwill and NAPO continues to strengthen as professional organizers work with the 165 local Goodwill organizations in the United States and Canada to drop off donations at Goodwill’s more than 4,800 stores and donation drop-off locations.

“The work of professional organizers , in connection with our counterparts at Goodwill, provides concrete solutions and resources for clients who are overwhelmed by excess ‘stuff,’ whether it be ‘physical stuff’ or  being overly committed in their lives,” said Nadine Levy, president of the NAPO Los Angeles chapter. “NAPO is grateful to be able to work in tandem with Goodwill in an effort to simplify our clients’ lives.”

The seventh annual organizing awards ceremony recognized 26 individuals and/or companies representing the best in the professional organizing and productivity industry. Nominations for the organizing awards were open to the public, and NAPO members voted on the winners from August 10 through November 30, 2012.

To view Lorie’s acceptance speech on behalf of Goodwill, view the YouTube video.

Rockville, MD — Researchers at UCLA’s Center on the Everyday Lives of Families (CELF) say Americans’ preoccupation with possessions has created a “clutter culture,” and that the chaos created by having so much stuff is a leading cause of stress. Luckily, Goodwill Industries^® helps clear the chaos by accepting donations of gently used clothing and household goods and using the revenue to fund job training and other community-based career services for people with disabilities and other challenges to gaining and maintaining employment, such as child care, financial education, youth mentoring and transportation.

Subjects in a five-year study used words like “mess,” “not fun” and “very chaotic” to describe their homes. Results of the study are published in a new book titled Life at Home in the 21st Century: 32 Families Open Their Doors.

“It’s no wonder that so many people view annual spring cleaning as cathartic and a stress reliever,” says Lorie Marrero, Certified Professional Organizer^®, author of the best-selling book The Clutter Diet and a spokesperson for Goodwill’s Donate Movement.

“From toys and trinkets to clothing and shoes, we tend to accumulate more than we need,” she says. “Clearing the clutter and chaos can lift your mood and keep you on track in other areas of your life.”

The clutter often finds its way to the closet first. According to a national poll featured in the April 2011 issue of ShopSmart magazine, women own an average of 17 pairs of shoes yet only typically wear three of those pairs on a regular basis. More than 13 percent have more than 30 pairs (not including athletic shoes).

But spring cleaning has benefits beyond tidier households and lower stress levels. Donating unwanted or rarely used items to Goodwill^® generates revenue to fund job training programs and community-based services that can lead to jobs and fresh starts for people actively seeking work. Goodwill provides career services that anyone can use to boost their chances of getting hired, including assistance in writing résumés, job interview practice and access to job leads with leading employers

“We’re a nation of consumers and sometimes that leads to over-consumption,” says Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “By donating items you no longer use, you extend the lifecycle of goods and, in the process, help fund important Goodwill programs that put people to work and strengthen families.”

Visit http://locator.goodwill.org to find the nearest Goodwill donation site.

The six to three vote on Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., holds that the first-sale doctrine of the U.S. Copyright Act — which allows owners to resell copyrighted works that were lawfully produced and legally acquired — does not carry geographical significance and therefore extends to works first purchased overseas.

This decision protects Goodwill employees at more than 2,800 stores from checking each donated copyrighted item to ensure that it was not purchased overseas. It also protects shoppers, donors and other lawful owners from prosecution under U.S. copyright law for reselling and purchasing such works without obtaining permission from the original copyright owners. This means that if a Goodwill donor or shopper bought or owned an item, that person has the right to sell, lend or give it away.

The case involved respondent Wiley, an American textbook publisher and seller. The petitioner, Supap Kirtsaeng, is a student from Thailand who studied in the United States. Wiley alleged that Kirtsaeng was in violation of the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. §§ 101–810, because he sold shipments of textbooks manufactured by Wiley’s Asian subsidiary, which his family had sent from Thailand. Kirtsaeng earned $900,000 in revenue by selling the textbooks on commercial websites such as eBay to reimburse his family and pay for his education. Kirtsaeng argued that he did not violate the Copyright Act because the first-sale doctrine allows resale of textbooks without the copyright owner’s permission. Wiley argued that this was a copyright infringement because the first-sale doctrine does not apply to goods manufactured in foreign countries.

Goodwill has been involved with the Owners’ Rights Initiative (ORI) since spring of 2012. ORI is a diverse coalition of businesses, associations and organizations that joined together to protect ownership rights in the United States. The initiative provides a unified voice for members to engage in advocacy, education and outreach. Other members include the Consumer Electronics Association, eBay, New Egg, Overstock.com, the Retail Industry Leaders Association, Sotheby’s, and Target.

While the Supreme Court ruling is final, Congress may still consider legislative alternatives, which will require Goodwill’s continued engagement.

For more information on ORI, visit ownersrightsinitiative.org.

About Owners’ Rights Initiative
The Owners’ Rights Initiative (ORI) is a diverse coalition of businesses, associations and organizations that have joined together to protect ownership rights in the United States. ORI believes in the fundamental premise that if you bought it, you own it, and should have the right to sell, lend or give away your personal property. Members include:  American Free Trade Association, American Association of Law Libraries, American Library Association, Association of Service and Computer Dealers International and the North American Association of Telecommunications Dealers (AscdiNatd), Association of Research Libraries, Computer and Communications Industry Association, Chegg, CXtec, eBay Inc., Etsy, Goodwill Industries International, Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), Impulse Technology, International Imaging Technology Counsel (ITC), Internet Commerce Coalition, Just Between Friends, Network Hardware Resale, Overstock.com, Inc., Powell’s Books, Quality King Distributors, Radwell International, Redbox, United Network Equipment Dealers Association (UNEDA), and XS International.