Category: The Goodwill Blog

Hey guys, its Marisa from New Dress A Day here! It’s the holiday season, so that means there’s lots of travel going on. Suitcases get packed -- as do the flights home -- and sometimes those suitcases don’t make it to the final destination! I was inspired to craft this month’s post about what to do when it’s YOU who doesn’t see your suitcase on the carousel. One of my biggest nightmares is being the last one standing in the baggage claim area, watching the rest of my flight mates head out of the airport with their luggage, and then seeing the carousel stop, wondering, “But where’s my rolling suitcase?”

READ MORE from Lost Your Luggage? Replace Your Suitcase Contents for Less at Goodwill®

Earlier this month, freshly stuffed with turkey and cranberry sauce, millions of Americans mapped out their early Black Friday morning shopping strategies. Just hours after giving thanks for the things they already have, many of them huddled in tents on cold, hard, strip-mall sidewalks -- ironically -- to get more stuff. Not me. Last year’s first Secondhand Sunday had me looking forward to this year’s post-Thanksgiving trip to the thrift store even more.

READ MORE from Here’s What This Year’s Second Annual Secondhand Sunday Had in Store

Earlier this month, freshly stuffed with turkey and cranberry sauce, millions of Americans mapped out their early Black Friday morning shopping strategies. Just hours after giving thanks for the things they already have, many of them huddled in tents on cold, hard, strip-mall sidewalks -- ironically -- to get more stuff. Not me. Last year’s first Secondhand Sunday had me looking forward to this year’s post-Thanksgiving trip to the thrift store even more.

READ MORE from Here's What This Year's Second Annual Secondhand Sunday Had in Store

Tanyel quit her job to attend to the needs of her children, specifically, her son with a disability, while her husband worked. Not working caused her to fall into a depression. She saw a commercial for Goodwill's services and later connected with the agency in Omaha for a six-month customer service training. She landed an internship,which then led to permanent employment that allows her to still attend to her son's needs when needed.

READ MORE from My Story: Tanyel Johnson

High school sweethearts Rachael and Sean came together at Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley as transitioning youth looking to build a career foundation for their future and reach their dream of living independently. While at Goodwill, the two gained valuable skills, both professionally and personally as they matured into early adulthood. That knowledge supported them along their journey and helped each gain employment. With steady well-paying jobs, the two were well on their way to achieving the goal they had set for themselves.

READ MORE from Goodwill Helps MD Couple Get New Home for the Holidays

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” and decorations and lights are a big part of what makes the holiday season feel so special. Here are some tips on organizing those decorations to make the days more merry and bright! As you deck the halls this year, keep in mind that what goes up must come down. The more elaborate you make your home, the more time it’s going to take when you put things away later

READ MORE from Organizing Tips for Undecking the Halls this Holiday Season

This time of year always makes me think about tradition and the fact that winter celebrations are common among most cultures around the world. At the macro level, lights, singing and festivals are all age-old traditions that help to dull the edge of a bleak season of long, dark and cold nights. What I enjoy even more are those quirky traditions that develop at the micro level among families.

READ MORE from What Can Congress Learn from a Shower Squeegee?

Michael from Portland, OR, asks, "I've had so much on my plate at the end of this year that I totally spaced out on an important project timeline at work. I'm so mad at myself! How can I make things better?"

READ MORE from Made a Mistake at Work? Five Steps to Recover Quickly

Goodwill of the Heartland (Iowa City) recently rolled out its own cookie brand “Goodwill Great Cookies” in 14 of its retail stores across a 19-county service area including parts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. Revenue from the cookies supports homeless veterans and others facing challenges to employment. As a result, the agency decided the brand tagline should be, “Eat a Cookie, Change a Life.”

READ MORE from In Iowa City, Goodwill Launches Cookie Baking Operation

After high school, Cody was excited to start the next phase of his life but didn't know where to begin. He connected with the Colorado Springs' "Pursuits" program, where he gained confidence and built his job skills. At the conclusion of the program, he found a job at a local car dealership. "Now that I look back and see how far I have come and how much I have achieved, I realize that there is nothing out of my reach," he says.

READ MORE from My Story – Cody Pacht

At this time of the year, everyone is counting down to something - Christmas, the New Year, Kwanzaa, etc. But rather than buying an advent calendar that may not exactly suit your celebration or décor style, why not make your own countdown? The holiday season has somehow evolved into a season about the stuff. I wanted a way to bring attention back to community-centered activities that represent the spirit of the holidays (like joining Goodwill in giving back!) So instead of putting toys or candies in my countdown, I’ve written out holiday activities that will allow my family to really enjoy this December.

READ MORE from Countdown to the Holidays with This Easy DIY Project

Twas the night before Congress adjourned, when all through the House (and Senate) Not a person was working, not even a mouse. The bills were all filed to repeal Obamacare, In hopes that November soon would be there.

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