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Local Group Puts The Fire Back Into Community Involvement

Goodwill Industries International Awards Cincinnati Man National Volunteer Award

October 18, 2005

Rockville, MD - Goodwill Industries International has honored a Sioux City firefighters group for volunteering its time and manpower to community projects with Wall Street Mission Goodwill Industries (Sioux City, IA).  The Sioux City Firefighters Local 7 participation in special Goodwill projects and programs that benefited area youth and residents earned them the 2005 Volunteer Group of the Year Award.

In 2004, firefighters donated 45 hours of their time to plan annual Goodwill community development projects.  Local 7 organized a charity basketball game, challenging the local NBC television affiliate to raise money for the Goodwill’s summer camp.  They were involved in the implementation stages of the camp’s playground and mini-golf course.  The volunteer group also supports Goodwill’s work in the community during the holiday seasons.  In November, they helped serve dinner to more than 1,000 residents who depend on Goodwill for their traditional Thanksgiving dinner.  The firefighters also contribute money and workers to help orchestrate the Christmas Shoe/Mitten Party for children.  During Goodwill’s annual book sale, Local 7 firefighters provide their “Smoke House” and fire trucks to teach kids in the community about fire safety.

“Goodwill volunteers, like these firefighters, invest their time, talent, and resources in making our cities vibrant communities,” says George W. Kessinger, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.  “Goodwill appreciates the generosity of our volunteers, who help us carry out our mission of helping people realize their potential and achieve economic independence through having a good job.”

The Volunteer Group of the Year Award honors a group of people who contribute to their communities and who support a member Goodwill organization.

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 205 local, community-based organizations in the U.S., Canada, and in 22 other countries.  Goodwill Industries provides job training and placement and other employment services to people with disabilities, dislocated workers, welfare recipients, and other job seekers.  In 2004, Goodwill provided jobs and met other employment needs of more than 723,000 people.