FALL 2018
INSIDE: Tampa’s new Junior Achievement Finance Park New & Improved Stores Coming Soon!
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President and CEO Emeritus R. Lee Waits Our Mission: To help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. GoodWorld News is a quarterly publication for friends and employees of Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc. Jennifer Fleming, Editor 727-523-1512, ext. 1015 jennifer.fleming@goodwill-suncoast.com Visit our website at goodwill-suncoast.org Call toll-free: 888-279-1988 TTY: 727-579-1068 Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer that provides services without regard to race, spiritual beliefs, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, socioeconomic status or disability. If you need accommodation or assistance in accessing any area of employment or program services, please let us know.
P R E S I D E N T
If you make a purchase at most department stores, you know the question is coming: “Would you like to save 20 percent today by applying for a store credit card?”
Board Chair Heather Ceresoli Members of the Board Lee Bell Steve Bivens Heather Ceresoli Robert D. Dobkowski Melissa Elam, Esq. Steven M. Erickson Mark E. Gauthier Andrea D. Kiehl Louise R. Lopez John Maceovsky Dominic Macrone Christina Miller Carole F. Philipson Mark D. Pichowski Ed Rader Scott Rutz Bob Wabbersen Sandra Young
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Investing in the Future
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President and CEO Deborah Passerini
F R O M
Is it any wonder that some Americans have 10 or more credit cards and that eight in 10 people in this country are in debt?
Nationwide, the majority of Americans have no budget or financial plan, and the people who can afford it the least are charged the most interest. At Goodwill, we are trying to help change this narrative. Goodwill-Suncoast is a partner at the Junior Achievement Finance Park in Tampa that opened in September. Each week hundreds of eighth-graders are visiting Goodwill’s space at the Finance Park, learning how to set and manage a household budget and make good purchasing and investment decisions while learning how donating and shopping at Goodwill supports services to the community. (See the story about the Finance Park on page 2.) Personal finance is a topic that most people, not just teenagers, find difficult. It’s a sad fact that fewer than four out of 10 Americans can pass a basic financial literacy test. Our participation in the Financial Park is Goodwill’s latest effort to help change that statistic. At Goodwill, we believe in lifelong learning. And it’s never too early to start! Sincerely,
Deborah A. Passerini President and Chief Executive Officer
Back on Board Steven M. Erickson was elected to the Goodwill Industries-Suncoast Board of Directors in September, returning to the board after a three-year hiatus. He previously served on the board from 2010-2015.
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Steve is senior vice president, risk management and chief operational risk officer at Raymond James Financial, Inc. in St. Petersburg and brings more than 14 years of expertise in risk management and corporate governance with both Raymond James and Deloitte. He lives in Tampa with his wife, Laureen, and three young children.
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Goodwill Sets up Shop to Help Kids Budget! On his first visit to Tampa’s new Junior Achievement Finance Park, eighth-grader Justin was given this scenario: He was now a 27-year-old married bookkeeper earning $36,450 a year, with no kids, some credit card debt and minimal savings. His challenge: Visit businesses in the JA Finance Park’s innovative economic simulation program – including Goodwill – to gather information to use in making financial decisions, such as managing a household budget, using banking services, and making purchasing and investment decisions. At the end of the day, Justin and other eighth-graders like him had gained an understanding of the educational and financial decisions that will help shape their future.
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household items, and how their donations and purchases help others in the community. Goodwill is proud to be a business partner in Junior Achievement’s experiential center that offers state-of-the art technology and provides students with an immersive, handson experience in searching for future careers. The overall program includes in-school activities that culminate in a visit to the new JA Finance Park facility. If you’re interested in volunteering on the day(s) of your choice at Goodwill’s simulated storefront, please contact Addison.Acker@goodwill-suncoast.com
Justin’s “home room” was Goodwill’s simulated “storefront” inside Finance Park. It’s there that the students are taught how Goodwill can help them save money on clothing and
Our Vibrant Volunteer Coordinator If you’re interested in volunteering at Goodwill’s simulated storefront at Junior Achievement Finance Park (JAFP), the first person you’re likely to meet is Addison Acker. Addison is our volunteer coordinator and the “face” of Goodwill at JAFP. Addison grew up in Safety Harbor, and graduated from USF Tampa in the spring of 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in communication. Just four days after graduation, she accepted the job as volunteer coordinator with Goodwill! Addison was already familiar with Junior Achievement Tampa Bay because she interned there during college. She says her work as an intern taught her much about fundraising and how to truly connect with others in the community. That experience, she says, instilled a “wonderful foundation for a career in mission-based work.” Addison’s goal with JAFP is to give students a strong base of financial literacy while educating them on the mission of Goodwill. “I want our students to recognize Goodwill as a budget friendly shopping option, and a job creator!” she says. “Students are always happy to learn about the incredible impact that Goodwill has on our community.”
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Leave a Legacy There has been a great deal of discussion about the new tax law and its impact on a person's support of Goodwill-Suncoast and other non-profit organizations. I’m certain that you have heard that the standard deduction has doubled for the 2018 tax year. Of course, if you do not currently itemize, it will not affect your giving. If you have been itemizing but do not have a great deal of qualified deductions, you may be changing to the standard itemized deduction. Under the new law, the standard deduction for a single taxpayer will rise to $12,000 and $24,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly. Not all donations are tax-deductible. To qualify, the gift must be to a charity that has been designated as a 501(c)(3) organization by the IRS and you are receiving nothing in return for your gift. Donations must also be properly receipted. Make sure your receipts are properly dated for the 2018 calendar year.
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Some tools for donating recommend by tax experts include:
Peace, Love & goodwill
May 4th
May the GrooveMay Bethe With You! Groove
withthe you! On May the 4th (Star Warsbe Day) Hippie Dash for Peace, Love & Goodwill will once again take to the streets of funky downtown Gulfport! Register now for the 8K or 5K run, 1-Mile Walk, Woof & Roll or the Flower Child Fun Run for the little hippies! Prices go up after December 16 so register now you will! Go to www.goodwill-suncoast.com/hippie-dash for more information.
Volunteer Award Congrats to our St. Petersburg work release center residents and staff for being chosen as the 2018 Adoption Group of the Year from Keep Pinellas Beautiful! The work release residents volunteer year-round for a variety of causes and events, logging an impressive 5,869 hours of volunteer work in 2017 alone.
• Giving appreciated investments, such as stock. This may allow the deduction of the investments’ full value without having to pay capital gains tax on the appreciation. • Making larger gifts where your total contributions to a qualified nonprofit(s) may be high enough that itemizing makes sense for you. • Contributing through your IRA. For donors who are 70½ or older, direct asset contributions up to $100,000 can be counted toward their required yearly minimum distribution and will not be included in their taxable income. We ask that you continue investing in the Goodwill-Suncoast mission. Although a gift, you are making an investment in the lives of individuals, giving them an opportunity to become engaged as active members of our society, not as dependents. This investment can be transformational in the lives of many in our community by giving hope and self-esteem through the power of personal employment. Please contact me to discuss what values are important to you and the best method of accomplishing your goals. Jim Williams Toll free: 888-279-1988 jim.williams@goodwill-suncoast.com This is not tax or legal services but for informational purposes only. Please consult your tax attorney and/or registered financial representative to determine what is in your best interest.
Project SEARCH Surge
We’re “Bowled” Over!
Our Ocala launch of Project SEARCH, a program that provides on-the-job training for high school students with disabilities, was a huge success! Eleven students were enrolled in the first year, rotating through various jobs at the Hilton Ocala. Of those 11, seven were offered jobs in fully integrated, community-based employment locations. The success of the program led to another program to serve additional youth with disabilities and there are plans to launch a second Project SEARCH employment site in Ocala. In the meantime, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council named the Ocala Hilton as its Exceptional Employer of the Year for its partnership with Goodwill for Project SEARCH!
Thanks to everyone who came out to support GoodwillSuncoast by dining at Chipotle in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties on November 8! Your burritos and bowls help raise money for our food and beverage skills training programs for adults with disabilities. Gracias!
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P R O J E C T
If you happen to come across a Scrabble board game for sale at Goodwill, don’t pass it up! Check out the many clever things you can do with those letter tiles!
Grab a glue gun and a picture frame and create whatever saying or image you’d like!
Create a framed crossword with words or names that are meaningful to you.
Make unique drink coasters with pre-cut cork and glue.
Glue the tiles together and add ribbon to the top for one-of-a-kind ornaments, gift tags or dinner place cards. Or, cut up a wooden yardstick to create adorable Christmas tree decorations.
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GoodLilly’s
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For the Birds
Holiday Entertainment
New item $ 5.99 Most Goodwill Superstores
Donated items $ 2.18 (DVD) - $1.18 (VHS) Most Goodwill Superstores
This super cute school bus is actually an adorable birdhouse for your garden!
Goodwill has a big variety of DVDs and VHS movies to keep everyone in the family entertained over the holiday break – books too!
Fall for Goodwill
Light my Fire
Donated items $ 1.18 each Trinity Superstore
Donated item $ 2.98 Wesley Chapel Superstore
You’ll find lots of seasonal décor – both new and gently used – at your local Goodwill store, for less!
This red lotus flower tea light holder is perfect for the holidays or year-round.
A collection of brand new and donated items found at Goodwill-Suncoast stores
Serving Cheer Donated item $ 1.98 Sebring Superstore Having a holiday party? It’s easy to find lots of useful tableware at Goodwill with super cool prices
Silver & Gold Donated items $ 6.98 each Lakeland Superstore Need some sparkle and shine for your holiday outfits? Check out Goodwill for beautiful accessories like these fancy purses!
Send us your Goodwill finds!
If we feature them here or on our Upcycle page we’ll send you a $20 gift card good at any Goodwill-Suncoast retail store. Post your photos on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/goodwillsuncoast) or e-mail them to jennifer.fleming@goodwill-suncoast.com. For Goodwill store locations, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.
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10596 Gandy Blvd. St. Petersburg, FL 33702 ®
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Permit #5008 St. Petersburg, FL
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GoodWorld News • Fall 2018
GoodWorks On Her Own Amey Patterson blossomed with help from Goodwill When Amey Patterson left high school, she enrolled in a training center for adults with disabilities where her “job” was pulling weeds day after day in a hot garden. Soon after she came to Goodwill’s Life Skills Development program in Lakeland. It was there that she began to blossom. In time Amey progressed from sorting wares for the outlet store to mastering the much more complex job of cashier. During her time at the Goodwill outlet store, she says, she enjoyed making money and making friends. And, she came bursting out of her shell. “At first I was shy, I didn’t want to talk to nobody. I didn’t say one word. Now they can’t get me to stop talking!” Amey’s progression eventually led her to seek employment in the community. Now she is employed at TJ Maxx, where she has worked for one year. Her goal is to keep that job and continue to grow.
NEW & IMPROVED!
Stay tuned for these “new and improved” Goodwill stores opening soon!
Our retail store in Crystal River is moving to a larger space – 10,000 square feet of sales floor and 5,000 square feet for
The youngest of four children, Amy now lives independently with her brother who is also enrolled in Goodwill’s Life Skills program. Together they pay their bills and share the housekeeping chores. Amey now schedules her own transportation to and from work, something she mastered with the help of her Goodwill job coach. “I do it myself now, and I’m proud of myself!”
processing – at 254 N. Suncoast Blvd. The larger store will have a drive-up donation entrance. In eastern Hillsborough County, construction is under way on our newest superstore at 10739 Big Bend Road in Riverview. It will be a free-standing, 27,700-square-foot store. The store will eventually house our second Job Connection Center, which offers free career planning and job search help to the public.
Coming Soon: A bigger and better Crystal River store.