Nonprofit to Raise Awareness of How Donations Change Lives From  Nov. 28-Dec. 9

Giving extravagant gifts during the holidays is nothing new — consider the “five golden rings” and “partridge in a pear tree” from the well-known Christmas carol. This holiday season, Goodwill is asking middle and west Tennessee residents to give more meaningful gifts, such as independence, confidence and success, by donating things they no longer want or need to Goodwill.

Beginning on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28, and continuing through Dec. 9, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee will celebrate the Twelve Days of Giving — an effort to raise awareness that donations to Goodwill fuel the nonprofit organization’s mission of changing lives through education, training and employment.

During each of the Twelve Days of Giving, Goodwill will introduce on its website and social media a recipient of these gifts, such as:

Laibao Wan
who, at nearly 80 years old, overcame a language barrier and gained independence with the help of Goodwill’s custodial training program.

Susie Holder
whose job at Goodwill helped her develop the confidence to make a smooth transition back into the workforce after prison; and

Terrell Jones
who despite being blind, found success as a Goodwill call center operator.

“When people give clothing, furniture, decor and other household items to Goodwill, they support Goodwill’s mission,” said Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee President and CEO Matthew Bourlakas. “Donations sold in Goodwill’s retail stores fund a wide variety of services for both Goodwill employees and clients, many of whom struggle with disabilities and other barriers to employment.”

Goodwill Career Solutions services include on-the-job training, career planning, monthly job fairs, computer and resume classes, vocational training programs, youth programs and more. The majority of these programs are provided for free, thanks to the generosity of Goodwill’s donors and shoppers.

Goodwill is also giving back to those who donate during the Twelve Days of Giving. Donors can visit Goodwill’s website at www.giveit2goodwill.org/12days/ for instructions on how to enter a drawing for one of 12 Goodwill gift cards.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

There are many requirements for home ownership and it all starts with gainful employment. That is why First Community Mortgage launched the Multicultural Lending Initiative and has partnered with Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennesse to offer Lunch and Learn Sessions to help others find a pathway to home ownership. These sessions are designed to guide future homeowners with a personalized orientation of the home buying process. Taught by dedicated professionals these sessions will help future home-buyers answer any questions pertaining to home buying, financing, and the application process.

Your donations during the 12 Days of Giving and throughout the year help provide the funding for free programs like First Community Mortgages Pathway to Home Ownership and many others. See what kids of programs your donations help fund.
GOODWILL PROGRAMS