“Donation Fest ”

Date/Time
Saturday, July 12th / 11:30am - 2:30pm

Location
Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc.
1805 Western Avenue, South Bend

Contacts
Rick Strutner / Senior Vice President
Phone - (574) 472-7373
Email - rstrutner@goodwill-ni.org

(South Bend, IN / June 23, 2008) – Goodwill employees are hosting their 2nd annual Donation Fest on Saturday, July 12th from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm.  The event is free to the public and will be held in the parking lot at 1805 Western Avenue in South Bend.  This location is home to the Western Avenue Retail Store, Corporate Offices and Industrial Services Facility.  The celebration is being held to thank the public for their donations of clothing and household items throughout the year as well as shopping in Goodwill stores and making financial contributions.  “We want to thank Michiana for supporting Goodwill.  This is our chance to connect with those who donate and let them know we have jobs because they believe in our mission,” comments Ebony Shorter, Production Team Member.  Lunch will be provided and everyone is welcome to enjoy family-oriented activities such as: face-painting, basketball, the duck pond and bean bag toss.  Children will receive free stuffed animals and other small prizes as they play games throughout the afternoon.  Donations will be graciously accepted on-site and a tax receipt will be provided.  Nearly 40 Goodwill employees have enjoyed collaborating to create this event, which will also include a fashion show with brand name clothing available at Goodwill.  Models will be actual Goodwill employees and their children.  “I am just filled with pride because Donation Fest – and a number of other projects here, are created and managed by employees.  They show the employee’s appreciation for the community and each other,” says Rick Strutner, Senior Vice President.  “This initiative grew from weekly employee focus groups geared to engage their creative abilities, mental focus and positive attitude,” he added.  Beth Marvin, Production Team Member, enjoys reaching out to fellow employees: “Our ‘We Care Committee’ takes time to do special things for our colleagues who face life’s challenges – as we all do from time to time, such as the loss of a loved one.”   These activities and many others further Goodwill’s mission to provide jobs, training and placement services for people with barriers to employment.

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