DID YOU KNOW . . .?

  - The Activity of Building Lives in 2004

In 2004 . . .

• 352,976 donors contributed to Goodwill's mission.

• 207 financial donors contributed to Goodwill.

• 9,318,407 items were processed and prepared for the stores, at 150 pieces per person per hour.

• There were 1,322,228 customer transactions in our retail stores.

     Goodwill Industries Had Major Impact in the Central Florida area:

• 11,324 Central Floridians received Employment & Training services.

• 2,897 Central Floridians were placed in competitive jobs.

• $6,883,996 were paid in taxes by those placed in competitive employment positions.

OTHER 2004 HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Goodwill Industries' fleet of vehicles received a much needed facelift with the addition of a new logo painted on the sides of the vehicles.

• Two new retail stores opened in St. Cloud and Edgewater.

• A new Self Sufficiency Job Center opened in the Kissimmee area.

• Goodwill earned a three-year CARF accreditation.

• Goodwill received a $95,000 grant from the Dr. Philips, Inc.

• Goodwill received a $10,000 grant from the Chatlos Foundation.

• Goodwill provided over $40,000 in free clothing and household items to hurricane victims.

"What exactly does Goodwill do?" If you've ever asked yourself this question, maybe it's time you come see for yourself how Goodwill turns donations into jobs. We invite your service club, church group, class or even your family and friends to take a tour of our large new corporate and vocational center, which includes vocational services and classrooms, a modern central processing center, and our largest store in Central Florida, located at 7531 South Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando.  Call (407) 235-1563 to include your group on our tour calendar.  If you are unable to come to us, let one of our representatives come to you.  We are available for speaking engagements by calling (407) 235-1563.

The Goodwill Donation Cycle
-What Does Goodwill Do With My Donation?

Are your closets bulging, full of clothing you or your family has outgrown? Are your kitchen cabinets a warzone of small appliances and gadgets you just had to have, but realize you never use? Now is the best time to organize and dispose of those items which are taking up space in your house!  Donate those gently used items you no longer use to Goodwill. Through our comprehensive recycling process, we transform your donation into jobs for people with disabilities and disadvantaging conditions. We do this by selling the items you donate in Goodwill’s retail stores and donation centers throughout Central Florida. The monies earned from selling donated goods is funneled into unique employment and training programs for people with disabilities and disadvantaging conditions such as illiteracy, welfare dependency, homelessness, language barriers, and lack of social and work skills. 

Here’s how YOU make a difference in someone’s life and help to improve your local economy by providing items you no longer need.

Give to Goodwill - We accept just about everything!  Clothing, shoes, books, furniture, small electrical items, and even household knick-knacks, which you no longer need, can become someone else’s treasure.  Our courteous Goodwill associates will assist you with your donations and offer you a receipt that may be used as a future tax deduction.  And by recycling used goods in the community, you’re helping to keep useable items out of our landfills.

Donated clothing and other needed items are processed by Goodwill employees for resale.  Replenishing stores with new merchandise daily is key to keeping shoppers coming back for more. 

Goodwill accepts and sells donated goods at each of its twenty-two locations throughout six counties which include:  Brevard, Osceola, Lake, Orange, Volusia, and Seminole.  We rely on community donations to fund employment services that prepare local residents with disabilities and disadvantages for competitive employment. 

Over ninety cents of every dollar Goodwill spends is channeled directly into employment and training programs for the disabled and disadvantaged.

Through Goodwill’s vocational programs, graduates secure competitive employment in our community.  Businesses hire our graduates and they become proud, tax-paying members of the local workforce.  Employers benefit by getting trained, reliable and ambitious workers.

With your help, Goodwill is able to provide services to those in need. In 2004, Goodwill Industries provided nearly 11,000 people with free supportive employment training to change their lives. People who have been reliant on government assistance (your tax dollars) are now taxpayers and contributing to the economic vitality of the local community.  

So when you’re ready to clean out your closet, or rid yourself of those items which you no longer need, feel confident in knowing your contribution will change lives for the better!  And although Goodwill does not offer a pick-up service, donations can be dropped off at any of our 22 stores or 4 donation centers. For these locations as well as a comprehensive list of items Goodwill accepts, please Click Retail and Donation Sites, or call us at (407) 235-1547.  Community & Goodwill, Together, “We’re Building Lives That Work!”