1st Quarter 2012 Ambassador

Januar y – March

Dream Dresses for Brides-to-Be Goodwill gave Tameka Miles a boost Harvesting the power of sunlight Goodwill goes Solar Partnering with the Police in Clarksville

Our business is changing lives.

contents

Board of Directors OFFICERS

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3 4 5 6

10 Board of Directors

How Your Donations Helped in 2011

Lighten Up

Get a Job with Goodwill’s help Lewisburg

7 8 9 10

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A Gas Station Gone Good

Tapping Potential

Damian’s & Penelope’s Success Stories

President & CEO - David Lifsey Sr. Director of Marketing & Community Relations - Karl Houston Photographer - Scott Bryant Writer & Copy Editor - Suzanne Kay-Pittman & Jamie Berry Art Director - Karl Houston

Wedding Gala 2012

13 14 15 16

Donna B. Yurdin

Secretary:

Who Oversees Our Goodwill

Christopher S. Dunn

Treasurer:

Philip G. Hull

Legal Counsel:

Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP

Senior Consultant VACO Resources

David B. Lifsey President and CEO Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. Tammy B. Glass Vice President – Finance Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. Betty J. Johnson Vice President - Employment and Training Services Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.

Attorneys

The Sun Continues to Shine on Goodwill It’s not Old, It’s Vintage

It’s Easier Than Ever to Give to Goodwill

Ambassador is a quarterly newsletter published by Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. 1015 Herman St. Nashville, TN 37208

Goodwill’s Mission: We sell donated goods to provide employment and training opportunities for people who have disabilities and others who have trouble finding and keeping jobs.

Ambassador Jan – Mar 2012

Vice Chairman:

Attorney

Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP

The Ambassador provides its readers with stories about the events, activities and people who support the mission of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee. We are pleased to provide you this information and hope you will share our publication with others. Please note, the opinions expressed in the Ambassador do not necessarily reflect an opinion or official position of the management or employees of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.

giveit2goodwill.org

Robert McNeilly, III

Owner Credo Management Consulting

For the nearest retail store, donation center, or Career Solutions facility, please call 615.742.4151 or visit giveit2goodwill.org.

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Chairman:

President and CEO SunTrust Bank

DIRECTORS Woodretta Allen Cost Containment Manager United Parcel Service

Kathryn S. Gibson Sr. Accounting Manager Vanderbilt University Medical Center Department of Finance

J. B. Baker Chairman Volunteer Express, Inc.

John C. Greer Vice President TennComm, LLC

Caroline G. Blackwell Executive Director Metro Human Relations Commission

Chad M. Grout Principal Broker Urban Grout Commercial Real Estate

Barry A. Callender Vice President, Client Solutions Global Novations

Jeffrey A. Hoffman Richelieu America, Ltd.

John Van Mol Chairman and CEO DVL Public Relations and Advertising

Decosta E. Jenkins President and CEO Nashville Electric Service

Julie F. Wilson Sr. VP, Asset Management Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.

R. Craig Laine Senior Vice President CB Richard Ellis

YOUNG LEADERS COUNCIL INTERNS

Ryan R. Loyd Senior Manager KPMG LLP

Ashley Harrison Assistant Vice President Wells Fargo Bank

Kevin P. McDermott Partner KPMG LLP

Bryan L. Bean Vice President, Commercial Banking SunTrust Bank

E. Steele Clayton, IV Partner Bass, Berry & Sims, PLC David L. Condra Chairman Dalcon Enterprises Gary W. Cordell State of Tennessee Director of Consumer Affairs Andrew Davidson Account Executive Frank E. Neal & Co., Inc. Robert W. Duthie Founder Duthie Associates dba Duthie Learning Dave M. Fentress Vice President – Internal Audit Dollar General Corporation, Inc.

Jenny W. Newman Director of Development Nashville State Community College Foundation Ty H. Osman President Solomon Builders

James B. Foley Associate CB Richard Ellis

Christine E. Skold VP – Investor Relations Strategy/Continuous Improvement Tractor Supply Company

Elizabeth H. Foss General Counsel Southeast Financial Credit Union

Todd A. Spaanstra CPA/Partner Crowe Horwath, LLP

John W. Stone, III Partner White & Reasor, PLC Kathryn I. Thompson Founder/Director of Research Thompson Research Group John C. Tishler Chairman Waller Lansden, Dortch & Davis, PLLC

TRUSTEES Fred T. McLaughlin, Trustee Chair Branch Manager, Sr. VP Investments Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. Robert B. Kennedy Account Executive The Crichton Group James L. Knight President (Retired) Check Printers, Inc. giveit2goodwill.org Ambassador Jan – Mar 2012

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LIGHTEN UP

HOW YOUR DONATIONS HELPED IN 2011 Your gently-used items made a big impact

Spring cleaning with purpose

H

ave you tried The Clutter

Diet yet? If you feel the stranglehold of too

R

much ‘stuff ’, there’s an

emember when you cleaned out your closet in 2011 and donated your no-longer needed clothes to Goodwill? Or when you dropped off the toys your kids had outgrown?

Each of those donations enabled Goodwill to help a record number of Tennesseans.

In 2011, Goodwill’s Career Solutions Centers served 13,160 clients in their searches for jobs, job services, job placement, and the many other services offered by Career Solutions. That’s almost 1,000 more Tennesseans served than in 2010. In addition, more than 3,000 of the folks who visited our career counselors landed jobs in 2011.

So how do your donations help? Let’s say you donated two pairs of jeans, a coat, four shirts and three dresses. That simple act of giving your items to Goodwill provided 1.7 hours of free resume preparation classes for someone who is in the job market.

It’s simple to calculate the impact of your Goodwill donation by visiting giveit2goodwill.org/successstories and using our donations calculator.

There are 18 Career Solutions Centers located throughout the 46 counties served by Goodwill. For more information about the programs and services offered by Career Solutions, please visit our website, goodwillcareersolutions.org. ◆

A review of the clients who were served by Career Solutions in 2011 reveals interesting information.

13%

The number of Tennesseans we served who have disabilities was up by one percent to 13 percent of our client base.

giveit2goodwill.org 4

Ambassador Jan – Mar 2012

23%

NEED A SIGN?

23 percent of those who worked with our career counselors are ex-offenders.

easy way to lose the excess baggage, and you won’t even feel the burn!

You will need to know your ABCDs, though.

Lorie Marrero

Lorie Marrero, author of The Clutter Diet, suggests prioritizing when you decide it’s time to clear the clutter and give yourself breathing room.

A items – Used frequently, even daily B items – Used often, weekly or monthly C items – Used rarely or seasonally D items – Never or seldom used – DONATE THEM! Giving your gently-used items to Goodwill gives you the space you need and provides jobs and free job services to the thousands of Tennesseans who rely on Goodwill each year for help with their job search. In 2011, 13,160 Tennesseans were served by our Goodwill. More than 3,000 were placed in jobs. And it would not have been possible without the generosity of our donors.

Add it up. You don’t need it. Goodwill does. You donate it. You have room to put new stuff. Goodwill sells your donations and provides the aforementioned free services.

Now is the time. Don’t wait. Get a start on spring cleaning and give someone the gift of job services! For more information about The Clutter Diet, visit clutterdiet.com Not sure what to donate? Goodwill is in need of your gentlyused clothes, shoes and books. Surely you have extras! It’s time to give them to Goodwill. ◆

giveit2goodwill.org Ambassador Jan – Mar 2012

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Get a Job with Goodwill’s Help in LEWISBURG Hundreds come to Career Solutions’ job fair

Career Solutions grows

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oodwill’s programs and services are multi-focused. Not only does the company provide training programs and services for the thousands of Tennesseans who come to the 18 Career Solutions Centers throughout our service area, the company also provides services for employees who may need help with their personal growth. In order to serve our internal and external constituents, Career Solutions has added and shifted staff to provide new and improved programs for clients and employees.

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hristian Brands Heartfelt Home Accents division in Lewisburg knew where to go when the company expanded; Goodwill’s Career Solutions Center. For the second time in less than three months, Christian Brands paired with counselor Jamie Bone, to host a job fair. The most recent one, in January, brought out 145 job seekers and 15 were hired on the spot.

Bone has worked to maintain a strong relationship with the company and hosted a successful job fair for Christian Brands in October 2011. Almost 100 prospective employees visited Career Solutions in October, 53 of them were interviewed on the spot, and nine were hired.

MORE PROGRAMS, MORE STAFF, MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Samuel Smith, who oversaw Life Skills services in the Lifsey Building in Nashville, is now focusing on employee and client resources. He remains in the Lifsey Building but now trains employees interested in receiving help through VITA tax preparation and our new Wheels to Work Program for employees.

Another change within Career Solutions is the addition of transitional trainer, Jessica Stahl, who will provide intensive job readiness services for all individuals who have disabilities and may be eligible for enrollment in the transitional program. Stahl will provide six days of classes for each client.

The intensive schedule planned will provide job readiness for clients in the Nashville area.

Stahl also will administer the bus pass voucher program for those enrolled in the training programs, the job placement, and the transitional employment services programs.

Photo Credit: Marshal County Tribune

Christian Brands, based in Phoenix, AZ, purchased the Heartfelt Home Accents division several years ago. The division is responsible for the production of candles and other home décor.

Customer service, packing, shipping and receiving work are the positions Bone noted as available at Heartfelt Home Accents, a business that sells home décor items such as wall hangings with a religious aspect to the display. Work hours are Monday through Friday, 6:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some Saturday work.

Goodwill Career Solutions office had three people interviewing applicants rather than the one person who would have been interviewing from 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. that Wednesday. The three were completing about 40 interviews an hour.

Eighty people were counted in the line at about 9:15a.m. ◆

In addition to Stahl and Smith’s new position, three other new staffers have joined the Career Solutions team. Debbie Grant, Development Director, said there have been additional benefits for Goodwill and the Tennesseans we serve. “As a result of our programs, we are beginning to receive referrals from a federal program that sponsors veterans who have service-connected disabilities. We are seeing success in assisting clients with community placement as well. Together, our team is making a difference and connecting with community resources.” ◆

A GAS STATION GONE GOOD Goodwill partners with the Clarksville police Department

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larksville police saw an opportunity to have a greater impact on the community and invited Goodwill to be a part of the plan. In early January, the Clarksville Police Department opened the New Providence Community Policing Center. Goodwill will have a role in providing information and will staff a case manager and counselor onsite to help with social support and job connections. This new position is being funded through the state’s Operation Defiance grant. The goal is for police and other community advocates to be visible in high crime areas.

New Location, New Opportunities Career Solutions in Murfreesboro just tripled in size. The new location is in the same shopping center on Memorial Boulevard, but just a few doors down. The move came in mid-January, following three months of construction, and it was well worth the wait. The previous space was just 750 square feet, but now there are 2200 square feet. The new location features a large computer lab with more computers. There is also a separate training room, which will make way for more training programs. The new, larger space will also be better equipped to handle job fairs. The first job fair scheduled at the new location is planned for March 14th. giveit2goodwill.org 6

Ambassador Jan – Mar 2012

Goodwill isn’t the only organization partnering with the Clarksville police department. Along with Goodwill’s employment case manager, the New Providence Community Policing Center will also be staffed by a representative from Bradford Health and a Clarksville police officer.

The plan is to maintain an open door policy for anyone who is interested in finding respite from problems in the neighborhood.

Clarksville Police Department

More than 70 guests attended the ribbon cutting ceremony when the storefront opened at 640 Providence Boulevard, which was once a gas station, including Goodwill’s Vice President of Employment and Training, Betty Johnson. “Our case manager will work with the residents of the community as they look for employment, employment training programs and access to post-secondary education.”

Goodwill’s case manager is expected to begin work at the facility in March. ◆ giveit2goodwill.org

Ambassador Jan – Mar 2012

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TAPPING POTENTIAL

Damian McGowan

How a shy young woman blossomed with the help of Goodwill

Y

ou know that saying about turning lemons into lemonade?

Well, Tameka Miles not only made lemonade, she added a lot of sugar to make it sweeter. But it took a few years to perfect the recipe.

Success story

Miles and her mom were It was a team effort forced to leave their helping Miles manage Madison, Tennessee, through her first job. home in 2007 when a “Shemika and the work injury left her mom transitional team unable to work. They did remarkable work moved in with family Tameka, with Glenn Brown providing Tameka in Columbia, in Maury the right balance of support and challenge,” said Senior Director County, a long way from Miles’ friends and school. As mom healed, of Career Solutions, Matt Gloster. Miles thinks of her time with the pair was able to return to Madison and Miles graduated from Goodwill a bit less clinically. “Glenn was very patient. I wasn’t sure Hunters Lane High School in 2008. But there were a few hitches. how fast I could work, and he kept reminding me that speed comes Although Miles wanted to go to college, she said, “I didn’t know later. He accepted me for me.” how. And I didn’t know what life would be like after high school.”

The puzzle is almost complete for Miles. When she started with She also felt her opportunities were limited because she has Turner’s Goodwill, she learned how to ride the bus alone, which routes to take Syndrome, a rare disorder in which patients, always girls, face and how to travel safely. Next came getting her driver’s permit and lifelong health problems affecting hormones, growth and other today she smiles as she talks about having her license, a car, her own medical issues. But for this determined young woman, Turner’s apartment and a new job.

Syndrome wasn’t an obstacle. It was another piece of her personal puzzle and the pieces were about to come together.

Freeman Webb Realty, a firm that manages multiple properties in Nashville, saw in Miles what everyone else knew was there; a As Miles’ mom was healing and the two were supporting one competent and confident young woman who is a good fit for their another, an ad in the newspaper caught mom’s eye. It was an ad for team. “I’ll be using the skills I learned from Glenn. I’ll be scanning Goodwill’s Career Solutions Center in Nashville. “My life had been documents and checking images. It felt great to go on the job on hold for a while, and I was looking for help with career basics,” interview. I let my skills speak for me. I was so excited when I got a said Miles. call the day after my interview and was offered the job.”

“I took Sam’s (Samuel Smith, Life Skills counselor) class, and from “More importantly, her transformation as a person has been amazing. there I learned how to prepare a resume and handle job interviews.”

When she came to me she had not even ridden a bus. Her confidence A second meeting with Goodwill Transitional Counselor, Shemika has soared. She has worked so hard to improve her computer and Rucker, helped Miles learn a little about herself. “We talked about typing skills. I hate to lose her but my happiness for her and for her what I was interested in doing.” Word within the Transitional future overrides any sadness,” adds Brown. program has it that everyone who met Miles knew there was great potential within her just waiting to be tapped.

“Goodwill is a great place to learn skills, to learn about yourself and tackle anything you want. My mom tells me every day that she’s We all have our skill sets, and Miles’ shone when it came to dealing proud of me,” said Miles. with details. She was placed in the Career Solutions document archiving program under the watchful eye of the program’s manager, Sometimes it’s tough to see a team member leave, especially one who Glenn Brown. “Hey, I put my mind to something and I did it! I has brought more than just a strong work ethic and determination to learned a skill. Every day I took a step forward and knew there was the job. But in Miles’ case, the team is ready to let their young charge more for me. I started believing in myself and got more confident,” head out. “She will be taking on a new challenge, and we are so happy said Miles. for her,” said Gloster. “Everyone’s hard work paid off!” ◆ Brown reports, “The first two weeks Tameka worked for me she didn’t say two words. She was so afraid she would be fired. After the 8

A life of crime is now a life of preventing crime. Damian knows what it’s like to see the world through a jail cell. He didn’t like the view. Arrested for selling drugs, Damian spent his three years in prison wisely, realizing he needed to make changes. Those changes included a second chance and an unlikely job. He’s now a surveillance technician for Goodwill’s Loss Prevention team. At times he works with others who have been convicted of a crime.

“I tell them although they’re going to jail, they will have another chance when they get out. Just like me.”

first week she thanked me for ‘taking a chance on her.’ She has been one of the steadiest, most reliable workers we have had in our program. She is a total team player and does an excellent job in whatever task she is asked to perform.”

Penelope Perkins Success story

It was a slow and gradual transition from light to darkness for Penelope. Over the course of many years, retinitis pigmentosa robbed her of her eyesight. Without her sight, Penelope had to move on from her career as a medical technician working with cardiac patients to a job where she could regain her independence. She found just that at Goodwill where she is a member of the hanging team.

“Everyone has the same goals – to feel important and appreciated. Why feel sorry for yourself? As long as we have places like Goodwill, there’s nothing we can’t do as a team.”

giveit2goodwill.org

giveit2goodwill.org

Ambassador Jan – Mar 2012

Ambassador Jan – Mar 2012

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Goodwill

Wedding Gala 2012 coming march 17

It’s a bridal event that brought out hundreds of future brides looking for a great deal, on March 19, 2011.

Designer wedding gowns were up for grabs and some were priced 95% off. When the event ended, more than 170 future brides had found their dream dress, all for under $400.

If you’re planning a wedding, don’t miss our third annual Wedding Gala on Saturday, March 17. The racks at Goodwill’s Rivergate store will be filled with more than 300 gowns. Most of them were donated by area bridal boutiques, and many have never been worn.

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Designer gowns by Alfred Angelo, Maggie Sottero, Dere Kiang, Mori Lee, Mary’s Bridals and Casablanca.

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Nicholson Cleaners will be at the Wedding Gala to give brides alteration advice. They also cleaned the wedding gowns prior to the event.

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Refreshments will be provided by C&K Catering, and for those with a sweet tooth, cupcakes from The Cupcake Collection will also be served.

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The Goodwill Rivergate Store will be transformed into a wedding themed locale, courtesy of Rhonda Patton Weddings and Events.

The three hour sale starts at 6:00a.m., but last year some brides-to-be started lining up outside the store at 10:30 p.m. the night before the sale. All dresses will be priced from $99 to $399, and that includes designer dresses. There will also be a wide variety of jewelry and accessories, including veils, designer fascinators and wedding shoes. Future brides can also shop for their bridal party. There will be bridesmaids dresses, flower girl dresses and dresses for the mothers of the bride and groom.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 17, as the day to say, “I do,” to saving for your wedding. ◆

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giveit2goodwill.org

giveit2goodwill.org

Ambassador Jan – Mar 2012

Ambassador Jan – Mar 2012

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A Bride’s Story 2011 wedding Gala

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ost brides look for their dream dress for weeks before finding the one. For Dana Cothran, it took only minutes. “It was the second dress I tried on,” said Dana. She showed up at Goodwill’s second annual Wedding Gala hours before the doors opened, and found the perfect gown at a fraction of the cost.

On the morning of March 19, 2011, Dana made it very clear where this purchase fell on her priority list. “The dress means everything to me. That’s the only thing that matters, not the reception or anything else. I want my fiancé to cry when he sees me.” Dana left that day with a gorgeous Maggie Sottero gown worth $2000. What’s even better, she only paid $200, and it was the perfect fit, no alterations needed.

Should we put her name here?

On June 11, 2011, three months after purchasing that perfect dress, Dana and her fiancé, Aaron said “I do” in front of 70 of their closest family and friends. It was the typical June day. The sun was shining, and it was hot, 96 degrees hot. Luckily, Dana had chosen to have an indoor ceremony at Owen Wedding Chapel in Brentwood. As Dana walked down the aisle, she got her wish, Aaron teared up. After the 4:00 p.m. wedding, their families joined them at Mere Bulles in Brentwood for their first reception. Then it was off to the Bunganut Pig in historic Franklin for their larger reception, which included friends.

Dana wore her dream dress the entire night. After their big day, the new couple headed to Michigan for the first part of their honeymoon. The Cothran’s spent two nights at Mackinac Island in Michigan. Then they honeymooned in Chicago for another three nights. The entire honeymoon was paid for with the money she saved on the dress.

Cothran won’t be back this year, but she has advice for those who will be there. “Get there early, around midnight.

Also, have an idea of what you’re looking for, so you’re not overwhelmed when you get inside the store.” ◆

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IT’S NOT OLD, IT’S VINTAGE! Find your sense of style at Goodwill

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intage clothing is all the rage. One reason is that it is unique -- one of a kind; however, the prices at vintage stores are incredibly harsh on the wallet.

But, surprise! There are other ways to shop for your favorite vintage look. There are consignment stores, craft and art fairs, flea markets, and you can also have luck finding vintage pieces at Goodwill, many of them still in very good shape. Once you have discovered your vintage supplier and have begun your collection, the next step is styling your look.

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hopping for vintage clothes at Goodwill is as easy as keeping an open mind, only a few dollars in your wallet and using your imagination. There are 30 Goodwill stores throughout Middle and West Tennessee, and each one receives shipments of new clothing at least three times each week. That means there are endless possibilities when trying to find that new-to-you look at a price that won’t break the bank. Goodwill’s donors give their gently-used items several thousand times each day! That means you’re sure to find a vintage piece when you shop at our stores.

This outfit accentuates the classic style of this vintage dress. It is so cute for going out to brunch, meeting the girls for lunch, or even going on a date!

Raincoat, Vicky Vaughn (dress), Necklace

And of course, keep it sweet by pairing it with vintage inspired nude heels like these Etienne Aigner sling backs

This look does the total opposite. The pairing of this extremely feminine vintage blouse with super hip jeans gives it more edge.

Top, Banana Republic Belt, C & C California (vest), Both Necklaces

A lot of vintage things can be styled rather simply if they have an intricate design like this one.

Banana Republic (skirt), Belt, Necklace

For those vintage-lovers who enjoy the thrill of the hunt at the touch of a mouse, there’s onlinegoodwill.com. This e-store is restocked every day with items that are donated to Goodwill.

Browse, bid and buy everything from vintage jewelry to name brand clothing that has lived a long and full life and is ready to join your closet! Goodwill is your vintage clothing headquarters.

Good luck on finding your vintage treasures!

giveit2goodwill.org

giveit2goodwill.org

Ambassador Jan – Mar 2012

Ambassador Jan – Mar 2012

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THE SUN CONTINUES TO SHINE ON GOODWILL Getting the most out of a renewable resource

WHO OVERSEES OUR GOODWILL? Community leaders volunteer to lead and support

By David Lifsey

E

Meet the Newest Members of Goodwill’s Board of Directors:

mbedded in Goodwill’s history and culture is the belief that any resource is not to be wasted. Whether an old shirt or sunlight, we are committed to making the most of any resource available. In addition, and equally important to us, is being good trustees of the earth, and we demonstrate that stewardship daily in our donated goods efforts to make use of clothing and household goods that might otherwise be destined for a landfill. Our employees and clients interrupt that path to the dump by selling donated things in our stores and by recycling what won’t sell.

Energy is also a resource we want to maximize.

Being cautious with how we use the earth’s energy resources makes sense for today and for future generations. This line of thought, and Goodwill’s culture, led us to explore and adopt the current generation of solar electrical energy as a component of our work.

Woodretta Allen Cost Containment Manager, United Parcel Service Andrew Davidson Account Executive, Frank E. Neal & Co., Inc. Dave Fentress Vice President, Internal Audit, Dollar General Corporation, Inc. Jim Foley Associate, CB Richard Ellis

Goodwill explores solar possibilities

In late 2011, we installed a 60 kilowatt solar generating system on the roof of our Berry Road store and the salvage operation within the complex. The contractor for this installation was Energy Source Partners in Nashville. The electricity being generated offsets more than one third of our electricity purchased for that building.

We will see lower power bills through our participation in the Tennessee Valley Authority and Nashville Electric Service Generation Partners Program. Goodwill receives a payment and a premium for each kilowatt hour of electricity generated.

Our foray into solar power took another step in early February, 2012, when we signed an agreement to install 200 kilowatt systems on the roofs at 1015 Herman Street, which is our corporate building, as well as on the 1000 Herman Street building, which houses several departments, onlinegoodwill and several processing groups. These systems will be installed and operating by early April. The electricity generated and the premium we are paid for that electricity will offset the cost of the systems within 10 years, generating several hundred thousand dollars of future savings over the minimum expected 25 year lives of the systems.

Our partner for these systems is LightWave Solar, Inc., also a Nashville company and a leader in solar installations.

It is prudent to take advantage of the pollution-free, abundant and cost effective power of the sun. At the very least, we save the use of fossil fuels, avoid the questions of nuclear power generation and are in the forefront of this growing industry. Goodwill’s board of directors has shown good stewardship of Goodwill’s resources and the world’s resources by their forward thinking decisions to utilize solar generation as part of our overall energy usage. ◆ We look forward to sharing how our small steps into solar power are making a difference on our bottom line.

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It

David Lifsey, President & CEO of Goodwill

truly takes a village of caring, thoughtful and strategic leaders to ensure Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee maintains its focus and serves its mission.

Our volunteer board of directors meets throughout the year to review, suggest and lead the company as it grows and continues to provide services to the Tennesseans we are honored to serve.

Our Goodwill’s board is comprised of 30 members, each of whom may serve two consecutive three-year terms. “As it happened, in 2012, we had 11 openings. Our board nominating committee studied our remaining members and considered their occupations, interests, demographics and tenure,” said David Lifsey, the president and CEO of our Goodwill. The study helped determine the needs for the board and where recruiting efforts should be focused.

“As we met with and provided tours with this year’s prospects, it was evident each was enthusiastic about Goodwill’s mission, the individuals we serve and our donated goods program.

Each expressed interest in becoming involved on committees so they could better understand and contribute to our Goodwill,” said Lifsey.

The newest members of Goodwill’s board took their rightful place at the table in January. They share several characteristics, which means our Goodwill will be well served in the future.

Our new board members are generally younger and, as a group, more diverse than those who were already serving. Each holds a leadership position within their workplace and brings a wealth of experience to Goodwill. Lifsey notes, “Goodwill is a vital organization and we realize that our future relies on new ideas and energy within our board. We are honored that this group has agreed to be a part of our work and our future.” ◆

Elizabeth Foss General Counsel, Southeast Financial Credit Union Chad Grout Owner, Urban Grout Commercial Real Estate Ryan Loyd KPMG, LLP Christine Skold Vice President, Investor Relations, Strategy/Continuous Improvement, Tractor Supply Company Todd Spaanstra CPA/Partner, Crowe Horwath, LLP Julie Wilson Senior Vice President, Asset Management, Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc. Also participating on Goodwill’s Board of Directors as interns from the Young Leaders Council are:

Bryan Bean Vice President, Commercial Banking, SunTrust Bank Ashley Harrison Assistant Vice President, Wells Fargo Returning board members are:

David Condra Chairman, Dalcon Enterprises Gary Cordell Director of Consumer Affairs, State of Tennessee Robert Duthie Founder, Duthie Associates Kathryn Gibson Senior Accounting Manager, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Finance

giveit2goodwill.org

giveit2goodwill.org

Ambassador Jan – Mar 2012

Ambassador Jan – Mar 2012

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Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. 1015 Herman Street Nashville, Tennessee 37208

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Nashville, TN Permit No. 2009

IT’S EASIER THAN EVER TO GIVE TO GOODWILL! What’s good about Goodwill? One of the many aspects of the company that our shoppers and donors always mention is the ease in which they can make donations. We’ve made it even more convenient for the folks living in Smyrna and Clarksville.

A new drive-through Donation Express Center has opened in Smyrna. The new site is located at 722 President’s Way. And in keeping with Goodwill’s mission, an additional five employees were hired to work in the new site.

In addition to the new drive-through, donors in Smyrna also have easy access to two other Donation Express Centers including the Smyrna store, and the Smyrna Recycling Center.

Progress is always a good thing, but in Clarksville, the Pageant Lane Donation Express Center has closed because of construction and paving of the parking lot. In order to continue our services to the Clarksville community, donors are welcome to bring their gently-used items to the Clarksville Goodwill store located at 1945 A Madison Street.

To accommodate the rush of donors who are now utilizing the store’s Donation Express Center, the site has an improved drive-through to make it easy and convenient to drop-off Goodwill items.

Plans are in place to increase the number of Donation Express Centers in the 46 counties served by our Goodwill in 2012. The donations team is considering opening as many as 12 new sites this year.

For a complete listing of the 67 Donation Express Centers located throughout Middle and West Tennessee, please visit giveit2goodwill.org/locations.

137,847 DONORS

Our Goodwill prepares every year for the rush of donors who hope to beat the clock for their last-minute tax write-off before the year comes to an end. As 2011 came to a close, the last six days in December saw record numbers of donors for December at 44 of our 70 Donation Express Centers. In addition, our attendants served 137,841 donors in December, or 7,600 donors each day. As Jennifer Kalifa, the manager of our donations team said, “We are so grateful to all those donors and we’re ready for a great 2012!”