Welcome to the first edition of Goodwill® e-news, a bi-monthly publication designed to keep you informed about the events and happenings at Goodwill.
Goodwill has been GOING GREEN for more than a century. Last year, Goodwill Industries® of Southern NJ & Philadelphia recycled more than 12 million pounds of donated items plus scores of computers, household items, toys, books and MUCH more. By supporting Goodwill, you keep items out of the region’s landfills AND fuel our mission of putting local residents with disabilities to work!
Q: My two-year-old is the ultimate “stain master.” I am embarrassed to donate items that I know are ripped and stained to Goodwill. What should I do with them?
A: Clothing that is ripped or stain can be salvaged—literally! To maximize the value of every donation received and to ensure responsible recycling, Goodwill bales unsellable clothing and sells them to salvage companies that transform them into industrial rags and also to Third World countries. Goodwill can even recycle old shoes and sneakers. So, please donate to Goodwill and we will make sure they stay out of landfills.
The old adage “if life gives you lemons, make lemonade” seems especially poignant when you hear about Patricia Heiser’s life. This 49-year-old is a shining example of how sweet lemonade really can be.
In her 20s, Patricia was a workhorse—juggling two 35 hour a week jobs. After a particularly log day of work in August of 1995, she awoke from a deep sleep and the the room was spinning and she couldn't hear a thing. "I thought I was having a stroke. 911 had to trace my call," said Patricia. She was later diagnosed with Ménière's disease, a disorder of the inner ear that affects hearing and balance. Doctors informed her that her case of Ménière's would be a chronic and lifelong disability. It went on to cause two terrible falls down steps which lead to multiple surgeries and casts. She was unable to walk for many years. Her guide dog, Wishbone, helped her get around. Then one day, Patricia decided it was time to change her life. She regained her strength and took a record coding class at a local college. With new skills, she turned to Goodwill’s Temporary Service (GTS) and was placed in a temp job at the NJ Department of Health & Senior Services. As a data entry operator, she enters confidential health information to the CDC web site. With hearing aids and an amplified phone intact, it didn’t take her employer long to realize that Patricia Heiser had the skills and determination to succeed in the position. She is now a contract employee for the State.
“I got my life and my personality back through work. For years, my apartment was my life and the days were long. Now there isn’t enough time in the day to do all that I want to do. It’s a terrific feeling to be productive,” said Patricia. Her new life’s motto: “Concentrate on what you can do; not what you can’t.”
Savvy consumers have known for years that Goodwill is the place to shop for back-to-school bargains, and the current economic downturn makes those savings all the more important to students and families everywhere. From jeans and tops to jackets and accessories, there is something for the whole family—and all at drastically discounted prices. “Goodwill has great values, not only for K-12 students, but also for college students who are looking for a friendly, inexpensive place to shop for items like furniture, kitchen utensils, pots and pans, and much more,” said Goodwill President & CEO Mark B. Boyd. In short, whether you’re looking for a new school year wardrobe or for items for your college dorm room or apartment, Goodwill is the place to shop.
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