ROCKVILLE, MD — Goodwill Industries International is pleased to name Matthew Smith, age 33, of Wichita, KS, as the winner of its first-ever “Donate, Share & Win” photo contest on Facebook. Smith will receive the grand prize — a $5,000 American Express card for a back-to-school shopping spree — for submitting the most popular photo in the contest, which was sponsored by both Family Circle magazine and Goodwill® and judged by the public.
From July 22 – August 12, Goodwill shoppers and donors and Family Circle magazine readers were invited to snap and share pictures of their families donating to Goodwill. From August 12 – 26, Facebook users voted for their favorite photo.
“We are thrilled that Matthew Smith is the winner of Goodwill’s ‘Donate, Share & Win’ photo contest. He mobilized his networks to vote for his photo, while reinforcing to families that the act of a donation can have a tremendous impact on someone’s life,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.
The purpose of the photo contest was to raise awareness and show support for the Donate Movement, a public awareness initiative powered by Goodwill Industries® that focuses on the positive impact donating has on both local communities and the environment. The photo contest reminded consumers — specifically parents gearing up for back to school — to clean out their closets and donate items they no longer need to Goodwill. The photo contest was part of a larger collaboration, marking Family Circle magazine’s third annual back-to-school clothing drive, with all donations going to local Goodwill agencies.
Goodwill and Family Circle have partnered for back-to-school donation drives since 2009. In its first year alone, the partnership exceeded its 5 million pound goal, giving 11 million pounds of clothing a second life and contributing to the environment by diverting those items from landfills. In total, Family Circle readers contributed to an increase in donations of approximately 20 million pounds over the past two years.
Smith, who is the oldest of 5 siblings, describes himself as a person who loves to bring a smile to other people’s faces. He says he will use the funds to take his two youngest siblings on a back to school shopping spree.
“I’m grateful for all of my supporters who helped bring my photo submission to the forefront,” said Smith. “Goodwill does wonderful work in the community, bringing job training programs, on-the-job training and other community-based programs to people who face challenges to finding employment.”
To calculate the impact of your donation, visit donate.goodwill.org. To find a Goodwill store or donation center, visit goodwill.org.
