As Veterans Day approaches, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee wants to shine a light on some of our employees who have served our Nation. This week, if you see a Goodwill employee wearing an American flag pin, please take a moment to thank them for their service!

Patrick McAuliffe, Army veteran, has worked with Goodwill for eleven years and currently works as a Donation Express Center Lead, which means you’ll see him out and about at our donation express sites helping facilitate donations.

Before beginning his career with Goodwill, McAuliffe served in the Army for seven years. He joined in 2003 and completed basic training in Fort Benning, Georgia. He then worked as a heavy-wheeled vehicle mechanic in South Carolina. He spent a few years at his first duty station in Anchorage, Alaska and would then do several deployments to Iraq. He stayed in the Army and continued to serve in other parts of the United States until 2010.

When looking for employment after the Army, McAuliffe knew he wanted to work for an organization whose mission aligned with his love of helping others. His mother was working at Goodwill at the time as an assistant store manager and suggested he apply to work for the organization.

He was hired as a donation express center attendant, and he eventually worked his way up to his current lead position. McAuliffe said he loves being able to show up to a job every day that allows him to give back.

“I love Goodwill’s mission and how the organization takes a donated item and uses it to provide education, training and employment,” McAuliffe said. “To be a part of that, I really couldn’t ask for more. A lot of companies have a goal of making money, but Goodwill’s goal is to provide resources to get people who are struggling back on their feet and give them purpose.”

McAuliffe wants other veterans to know about the support available to them at Goodwill Career Solutions Centers.

“When I was in the military, there were people who had no experience other than being an infantryman, but that won’t help you get certain jobs. At Goodwill, you can get training in different areas and get the experience you need to get that job,” McAuliffe said.

As Veterans Day approaches and McAuliffe reflects on his time serving his country, he said he’s incredibly proud to have had the experience.

When it comes to showing respect toward veterans in light of the national holiday, McAuliffe said a simple handshake and saying ‘I appreciate you serving our country’ goes a long way.