- “It was a devastating blow to our retail operations and our organization as a whole,” said Judy Talcott, president and CEO of local Goodwill Industries, in a press release.
- Talcott said Goodwill plans to rebuild the Wooster facility.
- Donations can be made at any Goodwill location in Wooster, Orrville, Rittman, Millersburg and Loudonville.
WOOSTER – Goodwill of Wayne and Holmes Counties has issued an emergency call for donations after strong spring winds downed a tree at the Nold Avenue warehouse.
According to a Goodwill press release, the organization needs clothing and household donations to keep the shelves full for shoppers at its retail stores.
The Wooster site is home to Goodwill’s recycling and reclamation operation, as well as additional donations that are passed on to retail stores, the press release said. The building was hit by a falling tree on April 1 as a result of strong winds in the area.
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“It was a devastating blow to our retail operations and our organization as a whole,” said Judy Talcott, president and CEO of local Goodwill Industries, in the press release. “We remain positive and will build again. Please consider donating your gently used items to Goodwill and we will continue to support and educate people in our communities as we have done for over 44 years.”
Goodwill Industries operates five retail stores and fundraisers in Wayne and Holmes counties:
- Wooster, 149 West Miltown Road;
- Orrville, 1201 North Main St.;
- Rittmann, 336 North Main Street;
- Millersburg, 1098 Glen Dr.;
- Loudonville, 16630 Ohio Route 3.
“Proceeds from the sale of these donations will be converted by Goodwill into career training and capacity building for people within the community,” the press release reads. “The ultimate goal is to help people find jobs and advance their careers.”
Goodwill sales support training programs
For every dollar earned through goodwill sales of clothing and other items, 90 cents go towards the agency’s local training programs.
Goodwill provides case management, skills development, removing barriers to employment, career exploration, retention services, among others. The organization helps local youth and adults through coaching, mentoring, support and guidance so they understand what is preventing them from succeeding and take the necessary steps towards a better future.
In recent years, since the COVID-19 pandemic, Goodwill has seen a decline in donations from communities in the area, according to the press release.
“Not only are we still experiencing the effects of the pandemic, but there is a combination of other factors affecting donations to Goodwill,” said Casey McGrady, vice president of donated goods and marketing, in the press release.
More people are selling their own items online, McGrady noted, and there’s an increase in competing thrift stores, “so the competition for donations is tough,” McGrady said. “What most people don’t realize is that every goodwill is independent across the country, each with their own CEO and board of trustees. So donations are our lifeblood and we cannot survive without the generosity of our communities here in Counties Wayne and Holmes. Donations allow us to do what we do best, helping local people, building, empowering and transforming generations.”
Donations of clothing, household goods, toys and games, furniture, decoration, sporting goods and small electronics/household appliances are among the most needed items.
Donations to Wayne and Holmes Goodwill Stores remain local, the press release said.
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https://www.the-daily-record.com/story/news/local/2023/04/11/goodwill-seeks-donations-after-tree-topples-on-wooster-warehouse/70103395007/
