Families can start now to lower stress and get homes organized for 2015
ROCKVILLE, MD — Now is the time for families to clean out their homes and storage spaces and make room for this year’s holiday presents. There are more than 3,000 Goodwill stores across the United States and Canada that are ready to take donations and sell them in their stores. The revenue generated will fund job training programs and community-based support services, such as child care, financial education and mentoring, for people who need them this holiday season.
All Goodwill locations accept donations of clothing and household goods. Many also accept electronics, computers and accessories, and furniture. Donors should verify what specific items their local Goodwill agency will accept before dropping them off.
“Many people find it difficult to part with their things, but once they do, they find they have alleviated a lot of stress by living in a more organized and neat environment,” said Lorie Marrero, Goodwill spokesperson, founder of the Clutter Diet® and contributing editor to Woman’s Day magazine. “Goodwill provides valuable community services by selling the items you no longer need. You get a tax deduction and experience the rewarding feeling that comes with helping others.”
Lorie has tips for helping people part with items they no longer need:
- Use the “One In, One Out Rule” to make room for new items. For every new gadget or sweater received, give one to Goodwill.
- Choose a problem area, like the kitchen or closet, and make it an end-of-year project to clean out.
- Help children learn the value of giving during the holidays by organizing their toys and donating some they don’t play with any more to Goodwill.
Goodwill donors can calculate the positive impact of their donation with the Donation Impact Calculator. Users can choose their donations from the drop-down menu, and the calculator will display the impact of that donation on the community. For example, a donation of one bag of clothes provides one hour of a financial planning class or résumé preparation assistance for someone who is looking for work and building a career.
“Goodwill provided critical job training services to nearly 10 million people last year,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “We could not have done this without the revenues generated at our stores, which all come from selling goods donated by others.”
Donations to Goodwill are tax deductible, but donors should make sure they get their receipts. They should also use reliable resources to help them estimate the value of their donations. Goodwill recommends the website www.charitydeductions.com. Donors have until December 31, 2014, to get tax deductions for donating household goods for 2014.
Visit goodwill.org to find your nearest Goodwill donation center.
ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with a presence in 14 other countries. Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 3,000 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com®. Goodwill also builds revenue and creates jobs by contracting with businesses and government agencies to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2013, more than 9.8 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill’s career services. Goodwill channels 83 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services.
To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl and @GoodwillCapHill, and find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl.
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CONTACT:
Joye Taylor
Public Relations Manager
Goodwill Industries International
(240) 333-5523
[email protected]
