SUMMER 2018
Blast off Your Career Goals with this FREE Program! INSIDE: Our Volunteers of the Year Leave a Legacy
L E T T E R
Board Chair Heather Ceresoli
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.
P R E S I D E N T
“If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything!”
President and CEO Deborah Passerini
President and CEO Emeritus R. Lee Waits
T H E
Creating Your Future
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Members of the Board Lee Bell Steve Bivens Heather Ceresoli Robert D. Dobkowski Tom Falone IV Mark E. Gauthier Martin W. Gladysz Marie Hebbler Andrea D. Kiehl Louise R. Lopez John Maceovsky Dominic Macrone Christina Miller Melissa Mora, Esq. Carole F. Philipson Mark D. Pichowski Scott Rutz Bob Wabbersen Sandra Young
F R O M
– Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) Back to the Future Marty McFly had a tough road to hoe in the classic movie, Back to the Future. Inadvertently transported back in time 30 years, he had to ensure his parents would meet and fall in love, otherwise he would cease to exist. Then he had to figure out a way to be transported back to the future. For many people today, figuring out their future is just as daunting. That’s why Goodwill-Suncoast has launched a program called Back To Your Future. It’s designed to help members of the community and Goodwill team members pursue their goals and advance their careers. Goodwill employment specialists help program participants determine the education needed to succeed in the future and offer guidance for making that journey. It’s someone in their corner to help them succeed. No time travel is needed. This free program is available through our Job Connection Center located at the Goodwill Superstore at 2550 34th Street N. in St. Petersburg. You can find out more about it on page 2 of this newsletter or by emailing JobConnection@goodwill-suncoast.com. At Goodwill, we believe that work and lifelong learning transform lives and strengthen communities. And that people don’t just want to react to the future, but to create it. Sincerely,
Deborah A. Passerini President and Chief Executive Officer
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.
They Made an IMPACT! Thank you to 37 employees from Deloitte who volunteered their time at Goodwill for their company’s IMPACT Day, a celebration of Deloitte’s commitment to local communities. The volunteers fanned out to many Goodwill programs. They learned the ins and outs of Goodwill’s daily operations while lending a hand in our BookWorks childhood literacy program, our Life Skills program for men and women with disabilities, and our retail and outlet operations.
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Get Back to Your Future with Goodwill!
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Topics include:
Goodwill’s new Back to Your Future program is designed to help you plan your career goals and prepare for the education you need to get there, whether it be via college, trade certifications or vocational credentials. Best of all, the program is entirely FREE to the public! It is currently offered in Pinellas County. The program is also offered to all Goodwill employees (see article below).
• Time Management
Back to Your Future consists of eight instruction modules, designed to help you identify your goals and take the mystery out of continuing education.
• Enrollment Preparation
• Goal Setting • Career Exploration • Career Mapping • Skills for School
How can you get back to your future? It’s easy! Contact a Goodwill Employment Specialist at 727-321-7337 or email JobConnection@goodwill-suncoast.com.
DeLorean Drivers The
In the movie Back to the Future, it was a modified DeLorean car that blasted Marty McFly through time. In Goodwill’s Back to Your Future program, it’s Bill Coleman and Amy Erwin at the wheel, taking Goodwill employees on a journey to change their lives!
For Bill, there’s satisfaction in helping employees realize there’s no need to fear the first steps toward a better future. “We help alleviate fears and doubt, we bust through myths,” he says. “We cover time constraints, financial fear, and we work on solutions for each employee.” “Where we're going, we don't need roads." –Doc, Back to the Future.
These two “career navigators” are responsible for the internal program for any interested Goodwill-Suncoast employees. The employee program is identical to the program for the public (see above) and serves as a precursor to employee tuition assistance, another awesome benefit of working for Goodwill! Amy began her career with Goodwill in March, after working in career and technical education for 10 high schools in Indiana. Bill started with Goodwill 18 years ago, and has been a career navigator for the past two. Both are excited to launch this new program and help employees see where advanced education and training can take them in their future!
“It’s fun to see people light up about what they’re passionate about,” Amy says. 2
GoodStuff A Groovy Time
On May 19, hundreds of hippies headed to downtown Gulfport for our 3rd annual Hippie Dash for Peace, Love & Goodwill! They enjoyed both an 8k and 5k course, plus a dog-friendly 1-mile walk, along with a DJ spinning '60s tunes and an awesome after-party with great food! If you’re a hippie at heart, save the date for next year, man – May the 4th, 2019. May the groove be with you!
A Deal-a-Saurus!
Here’s a deal you don’t want to miss! When you donate to Goodwill-Suncoast in August you’ll get a coupon good for a free child’s ticket to Dinosaur World in Plant City with the purchase of an adult ticket. That’s a savings of $11.95! The coupons are good through October 2018.
I Sea Savings!
Each person who drops off clothing or household items at any Goodwill IndustriesSuncoast store or attended donation site during September will receive a coupon good for $10 off up to four full paid general admission tickets to The Florida Aquarium in Tampa. Goodwill shoppers who round up their purchases to the nearest dollar will also get a coupon. The coupons are redeemable until Nov. 30, 2018.
Movin’ On Up!
We’re happy to announce that 34 Goodwill employees recently celebrated completion of our CORE Management Training Program, two employees earned bachelor’s degrees and two earned MBAs with the help of Goodwill’s Career Navigation, and one graduated from the Goodwill Industries International Senior Leader program! Great job everyone!
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Leave a Legacy There has been a great deal of discussion about the new tax law and how will it determine 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 taxdeductible. 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. Some tools for donating recommend by tax experts include: 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 GoodwillSuncoast 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.
U P C Y C L E
P R O J E C T
These Boots are Made for Plantin’ Instead of throwing out those outgrown rain boots, check out this colorful upcycle idea. Besides being waterproof and durable, rain boots can make for great display planters.
If you don’t own any rain boots, get into your nearest Goodwill! You’re sure to find some donated ones like these we found for $3.96.
You could cut holes in the soles for drainage or keep it super simple and put container plants – real or fake – inside. Or, hang them on walls, fences or place them flat on the floor, either way, they are sure to “re-boot” your outdoor living space!
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GoodLilly’s
Get Crabby New item $12.99 Most Goodwill Superstores Goodwill stores have a variety of seasonal dĂŠcor items perfect for summer.
Parrots Please Donated item $1.98 Trinity Superstore
Gimme a Wedgie Donated item $6.96 St. Petersburg 34th St. N. Superstore
Give your hydration a tropical twist with this ceramic container.
These cute and colorful cork-heeled wedges would go a long way toward enhancing a summer time wardrobe.
Dog Days New item $1.39 Most Goodwill Superstores Even doggies can have a sundae fun day with this ice cream chew toy!
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A collection of brand new and donated items found at Goodwill-Suncoast stores
Platter Chatter
Beverage Bargains Donated item $1.98 Sebring Superstore
Donated item $1.98 Oldsmar Superstore
Having a summertime party? It’s easy to find lots of useful tableware at Goodwill with sizzling hot prices.
If you like an eclectic array of serving ware, Goodwill has got it!
Read All About It Donated item $1.36 Wesley Chapel Superstore Why buy new when Goodwill has hundreds of popular books for sale? When you’re done reading, pay it forward and donate them back!
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Huntress
Check Out the Goodwill Huntress! Our huntress Keleigh cruised her way to 30 wearing lots of clothes she found at Goodwill. Check out her blog to see her many Goodwill treasures at https://blog. goodwill-suncoast.org/
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 gw.marketing@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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GoodWorld News • Summer 2018
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Thanks, Volunteers!
GoodWorks
It has been said that “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”
We couldn’t agree more! So earlier this year we recognized the special people who volunteer their time and hearts for Goodwill, selflessly and frequently. People such as Lynne Burghardt of Tarpon Springs, who began reading for our BookWorks children’s literacy program in 2003 after retiring from her family plant nursery. She is a very busy great-grandmother who also volunteers with the Kiwanis Club of Greater Pasco, teaches Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and participates in various events such as the Special Olympics and the Hunger Walk. In 2017 Lynne spent 157 hours reading to 42 children and distributing 11,770 books for BookWorks! Lynne says she gets more out of reading to children than they get from her. Lynne is often praised by the teachers and directors at Lemon Street R Club and Sonlight Daycare for the wonderful job she does. In addition, Lynne is a fantastic ambassador for the BookWorks program, inviting others to join and securing donations for the program. For all those reasons, were are proud to announce Lynne is our Goodwill-Suncoast Volunteer of the Year!
Since August of 2017, the Clearwater Wednesday Sorter Ladies group has devoted its time volunteering in BookWorks’ Clearwater Book Room. The group began when Anne Faehnel saw information about BookWorks online and dropped by to check out the Book Room. She soon recruited four dedicated volunteers and is known as our “Master Recruiter.” The five sorters that make up the group are Anne, Karen Baumbach, Emily Destefano, Carmen Khavarian and Rose Schulz. All of the members are wonderful BookWorks am bas s adors and they are the first group of sorters to win the award in 19 years. They also brought in books during our annual Book Drive, help with elementary school book drops, and devote extra time and hours whenever needed. Are you interested in volunteering? Please check out the volunteer opportunities available at www. goodwill-suncoast.org/volunteer
Lynne Burghardt of Tarpon Springs
GET $500 OFF NOW
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Shoppers!
Clearwater Wednesday Sorter Ladies are the Goodwill-Suncoast Volunteer Group of the Year.