Goodwill Week Celebrates New Jobs

As the economy continues its slow recovery, many people continue to struggle to find and keep good jobs.

However, Goodwill of North Georgia has reason to celebrate since last year, the nonprofit helped more than 10,200 people find employment through the variety of job training programs and employment services.  

"When you give to Goodwill or shop in our stores, you are helping people who lack education or work experience, those who have disabilities, youth, veterans and others who may be having a hard time finding employment," said Elaine Armstrong, director of public relations. "This year, our Goodwill Industries Week events will focus on thanking our supporters and helping more North Georgians find work."

Every year since 1951, Goodwill agencies across the United States and Canada have marked the first full week of May as Goodwill Industries Week, a commemoration that celebrates new jobs and changed lives. This year, from May 6 –10, Goodwill of North Georgia will host a variety of events, including job fairs and employment workshops at its career centers, giveaways for donors and shoppers and drawings for Goodwill gift cards.  

According to the Goodwill website, here's what kind of events and activities you can expect this week:

MONDAY, MAY 6

Did You Know Monday - How many donations did we receive last year? In what city will we open our next store? Find out the answers to these questions and more on Monday. Join us on our social media pages as we share Goodwill facts and trivia questions.

TUESDAY, MAY 7

Give Thanks Tuesday - Do you follow @GoodwillNG on Twitter? If so, on Tuesday we invite you to complete the statement “I’m thankful for Goodwill because...” Be sure to include our official Goodwill Week hashtag #GoodwillWeekATL. You can also stop by any of our nine career centers to write your message on our Goodwill Week graffiti boards.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8

Job Fair and Workshop Wednesday - Do you need a job or know someone who does?  Eight of our nine Career Centers will host a job fair or  job preparation workshop on Wednesday. You won't want to miss this opportunity.  Leam more.

Donor Appreciation Day - We’re also giving back to donors Wednesday morning. The first 25 donors at each store will receive a special appreciation gift. Use our online locator tool to find your nearest Goodwill of North Georgia store. Giveaways will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

THURSDAY, MAY 9

Grasslands LEED Day - Our Grasslands store is now LEED certified! We built this store using environmentally-friendly processes and systems. On Thursday morning will we celebrate our greenest store yet. The first 100 customers at Grasslands will receive a special “green” gift. Giveaways will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

WEEK LONG EVENTS

Gift Card Drawing - Each day until Friday, customers at all 44 stores will have the chance to enter a drawing for a $50 Goodwill gift card. Friday at noon, each store will choose a winner. Shop any (or all) of our stores during Goodwill Week and enter to win.

Goodwill funds job training programs and placement services by selling donations of gently used clothing and household goods in more than 40 stores.  

"Thank you for your ongoing support as we celebrate Goodwill Industries Week," Armstrong said in a press release. "Together, we are preparing people for new jobs and changing lives."  

To learn more about Goodwill, visit GoodwillNG.org.