GoodWorld News Spring 2016

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President and CEO Deborah Passerini

During the era that produced Woodstock, Goodwill’s focus was on employing people with disabilities. We’ve all changed since then, and so has Goodwill. Today Goodwill addresses the needs of a wider segment of the population. We assist people who are socially or economically disadvantaged, equipping them with the tools to achieve economic stability. We help people like Carmen, a single mom who obtained training and support to start a career. Her story is on page 7. We continue to serve people with disabilities, helping them obtain jobs in the community.

Forty-seven years ago, Woodstock represented a peaceful, music-filled escape for hundreds of thousands of people. While the Hippie Dash will be a celebration of peace, love and goodwill, too, it has a greater purpose. Funds raised will help Goodwill help people achieve their full potential.

Maybe you weren’t at Woodstock. Maybe you weren’t even born then or were just a child. But maybe you’ll be at Hippie Dash anyway, in all your Flower Child or tie-dyed best, helping to bring goodwill to your community.

Sincerely,

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

Where were you in 1969? Do you remember what you were doing? That summer, 400,000 people gathered at a field in upstate New York for the Woodstock music festival – three days of peace and music. On May 21st, Goodwill-Suncoast will recapture that spirit during the Hippie Dash 5K, 3.1 miles of peace, love and goodwill.

Board Chair Heather Ceresoli

President and CEO Emeritus R. Lee Waits

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47 Years Later: Peace, Love and a Dash of Goodwill

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Members of the Board Lee Bell Heather Ceresoli Robert D. Dobkowski Tom Falone IV Mark E. Gauthier Martin W. Gladysz Marie Hebbler Paul Horowitz Andrea D. Kiehl Louise R. Lopez John Maceovsky Dominic Macrone Carole F. Philipson Mark D. Pichowski Ed Rader Bob Wabbersen Sandra Young

F R O M

Deborah A. Passerini President and Chief Executive Officer B O A R D

M E M B E R

P R O F I L E

Giving Back, and Learning When Bob Wabbersen was invited to join the Goodwill-Suncoast Board of Directors in 2006, he already knew a little about the organization. His uncle had worked for Goodwill in Atlanta. Still, there have been quite a few surprises during the last 10 years.

“I’ve taken away just as much as I’ve given. I’m a better leader because of what Goodwill has invested in me,” says Bob, who is director of retail support for meat and deli with Publix Super Markets, with responsibility for 1,100 Publix stores in six states.

He has also been pleasantly surprised by the depth and breadth of Goodwill-Suncoast’s services, and especially one segment of Goodwill … the people, from management to associates in the retail stores.

“It’s about people working for a common goal,” he said.

Bob is proud of the fact that he’s a third-generation Floridian. He and his wife Kim have a 17-year-old daughter and a 15-year-old son. The family lives in a lakefront home in Odessa with their chocolate Lab and Yorkie. Bob’s leisure time is filled with outdoor activities - water skiing and jet skiing with his family as well as hunting and fishing.

Bob studied meteorology in college with dreams of becoming a weatherman, but his parttime job at Publix during school took him in a different direction. That’s just as well, he says, because “They said I had a good face for radio.” He still has a passion for weather and has lent his knowledge to the emergency business recovery program at Publix.

In Memoriam

Walter Leo, former transportation supervisor, passed away Jan. 5. He started with Goodwill as a truck driver in 1999, making deliveries and pickups at the stores. He was a favorite with store managers because of his friendly manner and attention to detail. Walt later became a dispatcher and transportation supervisor. He’s remembered as a good worker who was always willing to step in when needed.

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Don't Worry, Be Hippie! n 1969, Woodstock was an iconic cultural event billed as 3 Days of Peace & Music.

Now we’re bringing back some of that groovy vibe for our inaugural Hippie Dash 5K, 3.1 Miles of Peace, Love & Goodwill! The event includes a Flower Child Fun Run for the little hippies, and a laid-back onemile Walk, Woof & Roll for walkers, strollers and dogs.

Join us! It’s all going down Saturday, May 21, beginning at 8 a.m. The groove begins in the heart of Gulfport’s super funky downtown waterfront district. A DJ will spin tunes from the counterculture era, and vintage tricked-out VW Bugs will be on display. All runners are encouraged to wear their most far-out threads for a chance to win Best Dressed Dude and Best Dressed Dudette awards. Participants in the Walk, Woof & Roll can dress their dogs up for a chance at a prize too!

After the race, participants can hang out, drink free beer, check out the VW’s and wander through Gulfport’s outta sight downtown!

E M P L O Y E E

If you can’t make it, you can do any of the events virtually, on your own time! Every participant, both virtual and actual, will receive an event t-shirt and a groovy medal. To sign up go to www.racersignup.com/hippie-dash Proceeds benefit Goodwill’s programs for adults with disabilities and other barriers to employment.

Can you dig it?

The Far-out 5K Medal!

P R O F I L E

A Helping Hand Rosina Brown comes by her love of helping those less fortunate naturally. As a teenager she helped care for a family member who was paralyzed. Later, she began working at a nursing home. And now, her job as supervisor of our St. Petersburg Outlet Store – run by adults with disabilities in our Life Skills Development program – is a perfect fit.

“I love working with our Life Skills participants,” she says. “You know when you feel like your life is just missing something? They fill it!”

In her new supervisory position, Rosina oversees a staff of 19 in the Outlet Store. The store itself serves as job training for people enrolled in our Life Skills program. Their jobs range from organizing the merchandise to running the register, with the goal of ultimately transitioning to outside employment.

Rosina has worked for Goodwill since 2007. As a single mom with a 14-year-old son, she sees Goodwill as an extended family. Some of our Life Skills participants have attended her son’s football games to cheer him on. Others she has accompanied to a nearby homeless shelter to volunteer for those who also need a helping hand.

“With us, we complain about the littlest things, for no reason” she says. “This job and my experiences have helped me learn my lesson about that.”

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GoodLilly’s

Some Enchanted Vinyl Donated item $1.16 Crystal River Store In keeping with a tropical theme, here’s an album to take you back to the classic 1940s musical.

Here Comes the Bride!

Donated and New Prices vary This gown will be on sale at our Wedding Gala on April 22 (read about it on page 5), but did you know you can almost always find a selection of wedding gowns at Goodwill? You can say “yes” to the dress for far less!

Get Your Tiki On! Donated item $3.16 Lakeland Superstore Add some Polynesian flair to your home with this cute Tiki vase, perfect for a tropical décor.

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A collection of brand new and donated items found at Goodwill-Suncoast stores

Colorful Inspiration New item $5.99 All superstores This is just one of a collection of fun new Studio Be wall hangings by artist Cindy Wunsch available now at Goodwill stores!

Wild Things Donated item $5.16 Trinity Superstore This cute canvas wall-hanging is the perfect addition to an animal-themed nursery, at a teeny-tiny price!

Island Flower Donated item $3.16 Spring Hill Superstore

Pretty Pineapple

This pretty ceramic flower would add a tropical touch to any room in your home, at a sunny price!

Donated item $3.16 Oldsmar Superstore

Pineapples are the symbol of warmth and welcome, and you can easily afford to greet people to your home with this inexpensive wall plaque.

Donated item $3.16 Ocala Superstore

Flip for Flipper

This pretty glass dolphin is a fun and playful paperweight for any ocean lover’s desk!

Send us your Goodwill finds!

If we feature them here or on our Upcycle page we’ll send you a $20 gift certificate to any Goodwill-Suncoast 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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GoodStuff Wedding Bells Ring Again

A Dynamite Dino Deal This summer, dinosaurs and Goodwill donations will go together like cavemen and fire! Everyone who donates to Goodwill-Suncoast during June will receive a coupon for Dinosaur World in Plant City. The coupon is good for a free child’s ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket. One coupon is good for up to two free admissions and can be redeemed through August 31. Coupons will also be given to Goodwill shoppers who “round up” their purchases to the nearest dollar.

Brides on a budget won’t want to miss our Wedding Gala on Friday, April 22. The sale is thanks to a generous donation of 85 new wedding gowns and an assortment of 350 new bridal, formal and cocktail dresses from CC’s Bridal Boutique. The wedding gowns include many designer names and even the most elaborate will be priced at no more than $400. Doors will open at 6 a.m. at our new Goodwill store in Clearwater at 16494 U.S. Hwy 19 N. Proceeds from the events will benefit Goodwill-Suncoast’s training programs in Tampa Bay, Lakeland and Ocala for people who have developmental disabilities.

Contain Your Excitement!

The Container Store has selected Goodwill as its charity of choice for its 2016 Spring Organization campaign. The partnership is national, but our local Container Store is located across from International Plaza in Tampa. The store will host two weekend donation drives on April 23 – 24 and April 30 – May 1. The Container Store will provide canvas bags to their customers as a gift for their donation. Stop by, donate, and get organized!

Graduate to Green!

Reduce Taxes, Increase Income!

Consider a Goodwill Gift Annuity.

60 years or older?

Invest in Goodwill for tax savings and lifetime income!

When you make a gift of cash or stock into a Goodwill annuity, you receive an immediate charitable income tax deduction. You also receive guaranteed income for life, after which Goodwill uses the remaining principal for services to people who are disabled or disadvantaged.

Congratulations, graduates! You’re moving on...and now your graduation gown can too! After graduation, chances are your graduation gown will just hang in your closet and take up space. Free your gown, and your closet space, by donating it to Goodwill. We will send your gown to be rented and repurposed up to 12 times, by a company called Greener Grads.

Annuity Rates

When you donate your gown to Goodwill you help the environment, help another graduate get an affordable gown and help support Goodwill’s services. So graduate to green! After the big day, just drop off your gown at any Goodwill-Suncoast store or donation site. We’ll do the rest!

Rates as of 6/1/2013

Age 60 Age 65 Age 70 Age 75 Age 80 Age 90

For a free proposal, please contact Jim Williams, Vice President for Fund Development (888) 279-1988 Ext. 1050 or e-mail jim.williams@goodwill-suncoast.com

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Groovy Threads, Man!

If you come to our Hippie Dash, come as a hippie! Our inaugural Hippie Dash 5K and Flower Child Fun Run will offer awards for the best-dressed Dude, Dudette and Dog! Follow these easy do-it-yourself instructions for some creative inspiration!

Find an oversized t-shirt or tank top to fringe.

If you don’t have one, you can be sure to find one at Goodwill! Try the t-shirt on to determine how far up you want the fringe to go.

Cut from the bottom in 1/2 inch strips.

Hello fringe!

Want to be a flower child ?

Then follow these easy instructions and make your own unique tiara.

For added “bling” place beads on the fringe strands and then knot the fabric to secure.

First, find a strip of elastic in whatever width you want the band to be. Measure by placing on your head for snugness, then cut and glue the ends together with a glue gun. Finally, take inexpensive plastic flowers and cut off the stems. Carefully glue them along the strip of elastic with a glue gun.

Let dry. Put on your T-shirt, place the flower headband on your head,

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GoodWorld News • Spring 2016

GoodWorks Making Her Way A single mom finds hope through Goodwill’s employment services

CareerSource office. Carmen’s eagerness to succeed allowed her to complete an 80-hour internship as a dietary aide at Royal Oaks Nursing Center, where she was later hired as a dietary aide.

About two years ago Carmen Bermudez, a single mom with a young son with special needs, moved from Connecticut to Pasco County.

With no car, no family support, and her son to take care of, she struggled to find work. Luckily, Carmen learned about CareerSource and its youth program run by GoodwillSuncoast. The free program offers job interview and resume help and connects young adults to GED and career and professional credential classes.

Carmen enrolled in the program and soon completed a job readiness workshop and attained the National Retail Federation Customer Service credential. Youth Specialist and Goodwill employee Marisela Castillo said Carmen never complained about having to get up early to walk to the bus stop, or about the almost hour long bus ride just to get to the

Carmen is grateful for CareerSource’s assistance with bus passes, clothing, and paid internship hours.

“This program taught me so much, not just employment skills but also how to become a better mother and person,” she said. Her new job gave her the means to buy several presents for her son last Christmas, making it one of their best holidays ever.

Last year, the youth program helped 250 young adults age 16 to 24 with their employability skills. For more information, visit the Services section of www.goodwill-suncoast.org.

Let’s Work Together!

Every year during the first full week of May, Goodwill agencies across the United States celebrate the power of work through local events and promotions in honor of Goodwill Industries Week.

This year, as part of the national movement, GoodwillSuncoast is hosting a Job Fair with dozens of community employers. Job seekers are invited to come explore the local job market on May 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tampa Airport - Westshore, 4500 W. Cypress St., Tampa.

For more information visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.