Category: The Goodwill Blog

New Halloween costumes can start at about $30, but when you add in all the pieces and accessories, they can add up to more than $150. Spending that much for one night is completely unnecessary, especially when most store-bought costumes are mass produced, making it almost impossible to enjoy your night without running into another person or even multiple people wearing the same exact costume as you. If you want to stand out for being smart and creative, than Goodwill is your best option. Goodwill stores across the country have organized Halloween sections that include costumes as well as decorations. Prices vary, but it’s completely possible to get a head-to-toe costume for less than $20. Just follow these simple steps.

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Are you suffering from election fatigue? I’m a total policy wonk but living in a swing state with a heated Senate race means even I’m afraid to answer my phone, turn on the radio and television, or open my mailbox. We’re still four weeks out from Election Day and believe it or not, legislators can still get things done during the lame duck session, which is why it’s important that Goodwill® advocates remain engaged.

READ MORE from Lame Duck Session Critical for Job Training, Education Programs

Stella from Tuscaloosa, AL, asks, "I identify myself as a member of the LGBT community. I think I have been discriminated against in my job, but mostly I just want to be in a workplace where I can be accepted for who I am. How can I find that great fit?"

READ MORE from Finding a Good Job Fit When You Identify as LGBT

About a week ago, a retail sorter at Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast (Mobile, AL) upheld the core values of Goodwill® when he found $1,100 in a donated suit, turned it in to the manager and was able to return the money to its owner.

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Goodwill Korea gave Eun Hee Lee her first job in 2010. Working at the Sasang Store in Busan, she helps prepare donated clothing, assisting customers and cleaning, among other work. She enjoys her job and gets excited when customers are able to get great deals on items. She says, "I hope more people donate to Goodwill so we have more goods to sell and our store will be full of more and more customers."

READ MORE from My Story: Eun Hee Lee

2010년에 한국굿윌은 이은희씨에게 첫 직장을 줬습니다. 이은희씨는 부산에있는 사상 굿윌스토어에서는 기증한의류 준비하기, 손님 안내하기, 청소하기 등 여러 가지 일을 하고계십니다. 이은희씨는 일을 즐기시고 고객들이 좋은 가격으로 물건을 살때 좋아하십니다. 이은희씨는 이렇게 말씀합니다, "더 많은 사람들이 굿윌에게 기증해서 저희가 더 많은 물건들을 팔게됐으면 좋겠습니다."

READ MORE from 나의 이야기: 이은희

We’ve all heard plenty about the one percent, and now politicians and the media are discussing the 47 percent, but do you know who the 80 percent are? That’s the approximate percentage of people with disabilities who aren’t in the labor force.

READ MORE from Political Candidates Should Remember the 80 Percent

It’s that time of year again -- you know what I’m talking about. As Halloween creeps closer by the day, thrift stores like Goodwill® slowly start flooding with wide-eyed newbies, wandering the aisles in packs searching for that perfect costume. Because the selection of clothing and accessories is so vast, it’s easy to find what you need. So whether you’re going as Tan Mom, Honey Boo Boo, Clint Eastwood’s chair or Snooki and her baby (lots of dolls available at Goodwill stores, folks!) you’re sure to find what you need.

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Wall Street Mission Goodwill Industries (Sioux City, IA) recently celebrated the launch of its Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program aimed at finding employment for homeless veterans in Sioux Falls, SD. The Sioux City Goodwill plans to enroll 55 homeless veterans in the program. When many of these veterans return home from active duty, they become chronically homeless, living out of cars, outside or on friends’ couches. Of the Sioux Falls area’s homeless population, veterans make up 11 to 20 percent.

READ MORE from Homeless Veterans to Get Leg Up from Goodwill® in Sioux Falls, SD

Kris, who has cerebral palsy, had a hard time finding an employer who would allow him to prove he could work, until Goodwill gave him a chance. Since getting hired, he's proved his ability as a donor and greeter, and has gained personal and financial independence.

READ MORE from My Story: Kris Jacques

I found this not-so-broken chair at my local Goodwill® store. I thought this chair would look good on the front porch. It's always good to have an extra chair for guests, and if I put it next to the door, it would be a great place to remove muddy shoes. Even though it looked like someone had used it as a step stool and broke the caning, the chair's frame was sturdy. It just needed a new seat.

READ MORE from Give Thrifted Chairs a New Life

With Election Day only weeks away and having just passed a temporary spending measure that averted a government shutdown from occurring at the end of this week, most members of Congress are on the campaign trail convincing voters like you to give them their vote. Goodwill faces more immediate questions about whether policymakers will come together to avoid deep automatic spending cuts scheduled for early January and how vital domestic services and programs will be impacted.

READ MORE from While Election Looms, Bipartisan Efforts Still Needed to Avoid the Fiscal Cliff