Margo Burnside Receives Goodwill Industries International’s 2018 Volunteer Mission Leader of the Year Award
Jackson, Miss. – Goodwill Industries International is recognizing Margo Burnside with its 2018 Volunteer Mission Leader of the Year Award.
As the president of the Goodwill Industries® Volunteer Services (GIVS) board at Goodwill Industries of Mississippi, she leads the 35-member volunteer board, which has long been the Ridgeland, MS-based Goodwill’s volunteer arm, affecting every employee and aspect of the organization.
Burnside drives board initiatives including the Goodwill Art Show for Disabled Artists, a membership drive and party, and the Salute Dinner, which is considered one of the top community charity events in Jackson. The 2017 Salute Dinner, which Burnside chaired, set all-time records for attendance and contributions of $101,000, up 20 percent over the previous year. As the chair, she was responsible for contacting volunteer honorees, preparing the agenda and mailing list, coordinating decorations and honorees’ gifts, and more.
“It was my honor to have such a large involvement in a tradition in the Goodwill Mississippi organization and in the City of Jackson,” Burnside said. “I began my volunteer career at the 2012 Salute Dinner helping with seating, and I am thrilled that the organization now trusts me to lead our only fundraiser of the year.”
Burnside and the GIVS board also provide programs and events that specifically serve Goodwill Mississippi employees. GIVS plans birthday parties for every employee, and it sets up devotionals for employees, many of whom have disabilities or are without consistent transportation and would otherwise not be able to attend worship services. GIVS also hosts Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
“One of our employees told a GIVS board member that at the birthday party they planned for him, it was the first time that he ever saw his name on a birthday cake,” said David Hollingsworth, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Mississippi. “Testimonials like this are exactly why we exist — to serve people, all people. GIVS is the heart and soul of our Goodwill mission, and Margo’s leadership and personal commitment continues to make a difference to our community and our employees.”
She has a 40-year background working in information technology industry at All State and Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance.
Goodwill Industries International’s Volunteer Mission Leader of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding volunteer leader who works to support the programs of a member Goodwill organization and helps further the mission of Goodwill Industries through his/her volunteer activities.
CONTACT:
David Hollingsworth
President and CEO
Goodwill Industries of Mississippi
Phone: (601) 853-8110
[email protected]
Savanna Mickens
Public Relations Specialist
Goodwill Industries International
Phone: (240) 333-5293
[email protected]
ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF MISSISSIPPI
Goodwill Industries of Mississippi assists people with disabilities and other barriers to obtain employment. This mission strengthens individuals, families and our community by changing lives of Mississippians.
ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL
Goodwill Industries International (GII) is a network of 162 community-based, autonomous organizations in the United States and Canada with a presence in 12 other countries. GII is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is recognized by GuideStar with its Platinum Seal of Approval, the organization’s highest rating for charities. GII was also ranked by enso as the #1 brand doing the most good in the world for two consecutive years, and was the only nonprofit brand rated in Forbes’ 20 most inspiring companies for three consecutive years. Local Goodwill organizations are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that create job training programs, employment placement and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 3,200 stores collectively and online at shopgoodwill.com®. Local Goodwill organizations build revenues and create jobs by contracting with commercial, state, government and non-government organizations to provide a wide range of business services, including manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, packaging, assembly, food preparation, document management, groundskeeping and administrative. Last year, local Goodwill organizations collectively placed more than 288,000 people in employment in the United States and Canada. In addition, more than 38 million people used computers and mobile devices to access Goodwill education, training, mentoring and online learning services to strengthen their skills, and more than 1.7 million people received in person services. To learn more, visit goodwill.org.
