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Goodwill

I was invited a few weeks ago to visit Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, Inc. I was elated because I love supporting non-profit organizations and getting to know more about our community and what we can do to help each other.

First up, a summary of what Goodwill is all about:

to help Floridians overcome barriers to employments and become self-sufficient – thereby reducing the burden on the state and its taxpayers, and empowering our program participants not only with paychecks, but with dignity and self-worth.

You definitely got my vote 😉

We begin the tour by visiting the vocational services. There you’ll find people from all walks of life – including the under-privileged and special kids – coached for self-sustaining and job opportunities.

Our tour continues through Goodwill’s facility that manages anything and everything donated by the locals. I spotted computers, hard drives, cpu’s, clothes, gadgets, kitchen wares, decorations, household items, books and many more! I was pretty shock at the massive facility. It definitely doesn’t look huge from outside 😀

Goodwill either sells or responsibly recycles your computer, printer or any brand electronics. All the money made is used to create job training and employment opportunities in your community. The non-profit also ensures all data on your computer would be erased and not compromised, if any.

Everything donated is vigorously checked for quality control. Goodwill ensures that things do function before attempting at reselling.

I love that people donate so many books and there’s just many good ones waiting to be read. Often those are up on eBay for sale. Others can be purchase at one of many Goodwill’s retail stores.

The black crates below holds donations to be sold in the Goodwill Retail stores.

Clothes that don’t make it to new homes in the USA, is sold to salvage dealers at a nominal fee -who ships it overseas!

Remember, nothing goes to waste here at Goodwill. Not even into the landfills.

FYI – Clothes go through 5 rotations before it’s sold in pounds (6th attempt).

Photo’s below were taken in the Goodwill Retail Store.

These wedding gowns are so gorgeous. Spending $$$ on a wedding gown and wearing it only once —> if you are a thrift shopper, this is the red flag 🙂 Sshhh.. word has it, there’s a local fashionista who only shops at Goodwill for designer wear. No where else. How cool is that?

Then, came the TV’s.. We’ve been wanting one for the bedroom. I might have to convince the Husband to go on a Goodwill scavenger hunt with me!

Home furnishings

Here’s how they do it in Goodwill (and you can help too!):

  1. You donate to Goodwill.
  2. They sell your items in the stores.
  3. The revenues fund job training and other vocational services to prepare people for success.
  4. Therefore motivating people to find good jobs.

Photo frames the wall!

Tons of books waiting for it's owner 😉

Holiday season is upon us and there’s nothing better than to go out and support your local non-profit organizations such as Goodwill. Holiday decorations & costumes for Halloween can be pretty expensive. I’d say roll up your sleeves and get busy in your local Goodwill. I am sure there’s hidden gems awaiting to be discovered 🙂

How are you supporting your community? Is there a Goodwill (or similar NGO’s) located in your community?

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This post was not sponsored in any manner,  whatsoever. In no way I was compensated to give a positive review. Read my disclosure policy for more details on my role as a blogger.

{ 27 comments }

1 Destination Infinity October 24, 2011 at 3:50 PM

Interesting concept… If there was a goodwill store in India, I would shop there! 🙂

Destination Infinity
Destination Infinity recently posted..The Woodcutter and his Axe Story REMIXED

2 Harsha October 25, 2011 at 3:01 AM

It is an amazing idea. It is simultaneously motivating the under privileged towards a better living, and you get to shop various goods at a better price. This has to be initiated in India too.

3 its me!!! sharan :) October 25, 2011 at 5:16 AM

Its really great to have people among us..In fact I was returning home from market with my mother and we crossed a similar kind of place early this morning..and we were talking about all the social work about that..at that time i was thinking of writing a post about that..now after reading this..I am pretty sure that I am going to write one…Thanks a lot 🙂
its me!!! sharan 🙂 recently posted..a rough weekend

4 Kiran November 2, 2011 at 9:54 AM

Sharan,
Thanks a lot buddy – it takes everyone very little effort to make a huge impact in others life 🙂

5 carolinaheartstrings October 25, 2011 at 7:24 PM

Great post. I always donate my stuff to Goodwill. Great organization. Thanks for sharing that.

6 Simply Life October 25, 2011 at 8:55 PM

what a fun inside look at this!
Simply Life recently posted..A Good Cup of Coffee

7 Kimberly October 26, 2011 at 3:20 PM

Goodwill is a beautiful thing. I wish that more people utilize them!!
Kimberly recently posted..Apparently My Fortune Cookie Thinks That I Have Jesus Like Qualities

8 Aakash Kokz October 27, 2011 at 1:50 AM

Quite benevolent of you and those who are a part of Goodwill. You are doing a great job. May your tribe increase ┼
Aakash Kokz recently posted..Quite a Phenomenon

9 Kiran November 2, 2011 at 11:28 AM

Aakash,
Thank you so much for the wonderful encouragement and wishes – it truly made my day for sure 🙂

10 Gayatri October 27, 2011 at 8:02 PM

Great post! You’re such a nice person Kiran. You’re niceness shines through your words 🙂
Gayatri recently posted..Thin Crust Midi – Medi Pizza

11 Gayatri October 27, 2011 at 8:02 PM

Of course I meant “your niceness” … I need caffeine so I can spell correctly!
Gayatri recently posted..Thin Crust Midi – Medi Pizza

12 Kiran November 2, 2011 at 11:28 AM

Gayatri,
I hope you had a great dose of caffeine this morning 😉

13 Kiran November 2, 2011 at 11:29 AM

Awww.. thanks a lot honey 🙂

14 sujatha sathya October 28, 2011 at 1:02 AM

wonderful work done there
hope the ‘goodwill’ spreads like wildfire
sujatha sathya recently posted..Chennai Impressions: PART 4

15 Kiran November 2, 2011 at 12:44 PM

Sujatha,
Thanks a lot honey 🙂

16 Rahul October 28, 2011 at 2:12 PM

Goodwill is indeed a prolific organization… nice photographs…

17 Kiran November 2, 2011 at 11:30 AM

Rahul,
Welcome to Chatterbox and thanks for the compliment 🙂

18 Deepazartz October 29, 2011 at 7:22 AM

Wonderful concept. I think every city should have something like this. Good to see such shares…and such good people/organiztion around.

Thanks for visit and wishes…
Do visit often:)
Deepazartz recently posted..Festival of Lights – Happy Diwali!

19 Kiran November 2, 2011 at 11:30 AM

Deepa,
Welcome to Chatterbox and thanks for the wonderful comments 🙂

20 Carolina HeartStrings October 30, 2011 at 9:29 AM

We had a post on Goodwill as a frugal favorite. Not only can you get great buys but just yesterday you realize how rewarding it is to donate. A massive burst of caffein induced energy lead me clearing out a storage room. Although many items could’ve been consigned or sold through Craig’s List it felt so good dropping them at Goodwill. My son is special needs and seeing some of the staff there and the pride they get from working is so heartwarming. Love that you are helping spread the word.
xoxo

21 Kiran November 2, 2011 at 11:45 AM

CHS,
I feel a sense of satisfaction helping such organization. It’s my “instant gratification”.

Can I say how AWESOME you are and your son is lucky to have you? 🙂

22 Punctuation Mark October 31, 2011 at 10:23 AM

I donate to Goodwill all the time and I love what they do!
Punctuation Mark recently posted..A Canadian in Australia

23 Kiran November 2, 2011 at 11:50 AM

PM,
That is so cool. Thanks for contributing in making the world a better place 🙂

24 sujatha sathya November 2, 2011 at 12:39 PM

??? !!! :((

25 Kiran November 2, 2011 at 12:45 PM

What happened?

26 Rekha G November 22, 2011 at 11:23 PM

thanks for posting and sharing such a beautiful concept 🙂
Rekha G recently posted..Who was at Fault!!!

27 Kiran November 28, 2011 at 11:54 PM

Rekha,
Welcome to Chatterbox and thanks for the compliments 🙂

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