Good Works - Fall 2025

GOOD WORKS Made possible by you.

GOODWILL MIDDLE TENNESSEE | FALL 2025

Lighting the Way to Brighter Futures: Champions of Change Honored at Impact Awards More than 600 donors and community leaders gathered Oct. 2 at Nashville’s Music City Center for Goodwill Middle Tennessee’s annual Impact Awards, celebrating stories of transformation and second chances.

Co-chairs Betsy Wills and Ridley Wills welcomed guests and spoke about investing in people and Nashville’s spirit. Betsy is co-founder of YouScience and author of “Your Hidden Genius,”

while Ridley, founder of The Wills Company, is a leader in local design and philanthropy. NewsChannel 5’s Rhori Johnston emceed the event, sharing how Goodwill turns donations into education, training and opportunity for people across the region.

The Edgar J. Helms Award, Goodwill’s highest honor, was presented posthumously to Rob McNeilly. Rob’s nearly three decades of service helped Goodwill grow from a modest thrift operation into a regional workforce development leader. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the programs he helped shape.

LaVoi-Katz Award

David B. Lifsey Scholarship

Achiever of the Year

Alecia Grant’s journey began with daily two mile walks to the Antioch Goodwill store, determined to rebuild her life after addiction, incarceration and losing custody of her daughters. Goodwill became her lifeline, offering support and encouragement as she worked her way up from processor to manager of the Crossville store. Through perseverance and the help of mentors, Alecia was reunited with her children. Today, she is a mentor, inspiring others to overcome adversity and reclaim their futures.

Janet Curiel, the oldest child of Mexican immigrants, put her college dreams on hold to raise five sons. After a mass layoff, she found herself at Goodwill’s Career Solutions Center, where she enrolled in a Google Data Analytics course. Studying late into the night, Janet built new skills, landed a job and returned to college. She is now enrolled in medical billing and coding at Nashville State, showing other mothers that hope and opportunity are within reach.

After losing his sister in 2023, Michael Nedreski suffered from grief and depression, causing him to leave his job as a shower glass installer. He discovered Goodwill’s Solar Installer Training Program, where he excelled and found new purpose.

Now employed by LightWave Solar, Michael has earned industry certifications and is planning to become an electrician. This fall, Michael is also celebrating his engagement to his longtime partner, Kay, marking a new chapter in his life.

View videos and more about these inspiring stories online at https://giveit2goodwill.org/impactawards/

2025 GOODWILL IMPACT AWARDS Thanks to you, we had our most successful Impact Awards ever. We are grateful for the Patrons, Sponsors and Donors who made this possible.

JUST A THOUGHT: Rediscovering Wonder

I recently had the opportunity to visit with Nathan Chappell, author of The Generosity Crisis and a thought leader in the world of AI for nonprofits.

After years of research, he shared something that struck me deeply: “The one thing AI cannot do is wonder.” It doesn’t possess curiosity.

That word — wonder — has stayed with me. Yes, there’s the intellectual kind: the desire to know more, to understand someone’s story more fully. But there’s also the emotional kind: the awe that fills us when we witness something beautiful, brave or deeply human.

As we embrace new tools and technologies to help us work smarter

and extend our mission further, I find myself even more mindful of celebrating our humanness — our connections, our resilience and, yes, even our imperfections.

At our recent Impact Awards, I was filled with wonder listening to the stories of our honorees. Alecia, who walked two miles down Bell Road every day to get to work. Michael, who, despite the grief of losing his sister, showed up every day for his solar panel installation training, determined to build a new future.

In this season of reflection and family, I encourage you to rediscover your own sense of wonder. And to all of you who support our work — thank you.

Your generosity fills me with awe and gratitude. You are part of these stories, and we couldn’t do it without you.

Make your year-end gift to Goodwill

PAIGE BAINBRIDGE

Vice President of Development paige.bainbridge@givegw.org

DONOR SPOTLIGHT: The Bailey Company Lifts Goodwill’s Mission When Goodwill of Middle Tennessee needed costly repairs to its aerial lift — an essential piece of training equipment — the Bailey Company answered the call.

The Nashville-based equipment dealer donated more than $12,000 in parts and labor to restore the lift, enabling Goodwill to expand its free Forklift Safety Training Program.

The aerial lift, commonly referred to as a boom lift or man lift, now complements the standard forklift already in use, giving trainees hands-on experience with both types of equipment widely used in warehousing and construction.

In 2024 alone, about 400 people completed the Forklift Safety Training Program — reflecting steady demand for this valuable opportunity. All students in Goodwill’s Construction & Weatherization Training Program

take the Forklift Safety class, which includes OSHA-compliant instruction, hands-on practice and certification.

Graduates are prepared for indemand jobs in Tennessee’s booming warehousing and logistics sector. Clients also receive career coaching and support with resume writing, interview preparation and soft skills development.

“Bailey’s donation is a perfect example of how community partners help us change lives through education, training and employment,” said George Carlson, Goodwill’s vice president of mission advancement. “It takes many partners to fulfill our mission, and Bailey is a shining example of a business willing to make a meaningful impact.”

Learn more at giveit2goodwill.org/gcta/forklift

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Give the Gift of Opportunity This Holiday Season As the year winds down and the air turns crisp, it's the perfect time to celebrate gratitude, togetherness, and generosity. Mark your calendar for Giving Tuesday, a Global Day of Generosity. Your donation to Goodwill of Middle Tennessee changes the lives of local residents.

CONSIDER GIVING: • • • •

In honor of a friend or family member As a thoughtful gesture for birthdays or holidays To celebrate the spirit of the season Or simply to help others in your community

DECEMBER 2

This season, give a gift that empowers the community. Give to Goodwill Middle Tennessee. Scan the QR code or visit giveit2goodwill.org/donate.