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Black Philanthropy Month (BPM), established in 2011 by Dr. Jacqueline Copeland-Carson of Pan-African Women’s Philanthropy Network with recognition by the United Nations, is celebrated globally every August to elevate African-descent giving and funding equity. Since its founding, millions of people and organizations across the globe have celebrated every August as a month of celebration and renewal of giving to and by African-descent communities. 

At Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, it’s our mission to build pathways that help people pursue the life they want to achieve. Success isn’t achieved alone, which is why we encourage partnership and collaboration to help our team and the people we serve in achieving their goals. As a nonprofit, we rely on donations and shopping at our retail stores to fund our mission, in addition to corporate and philanthropic donations.  

Nick and Regina Wharton, longtime donors of Goodwill, share why giving is important and why they choose to support Goodwill.

Q: Why is it important to give?

Regina: “Giving helps to put you at the center of what community stands for — no one makes it on their own.  As my mother would often say, no matter how much you think you have somebody has more. And no matter how little you think you have somebody has less. Keep life in perspective and give what you can to our community to make a difference.”  

Nick: “I believe in strategic partnerships based on authentic collaboration with organizations doing extraordinary work in the community.”

Q: Why is it important to give to Goodwill?

Regina: “Simply stated Goodwill does good work! I was honored to serve on the board for Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, so I gained a lot of knowledge about Goodwill and the difference the organization makes in our community.  It also meant a lot for us to honor my father who worked in the trades as an elevator repair person and business owner.  It’s a reminder that we come from a family that has benefited from what Goodwill stands for.” 

Nick: “I think it’s so important that those who have give to organizations that are making a difference. A lot of organizations are involved in the movement to change the economic trajectory of the city. Goodwill is among the organizations making an extraordinary impact on jobs in the city.” 

Q: How important is it to be leaders as Black philanthropists?

Regina: “To whom much is given, much is required!  We have been blessed to be a blessing to others.  We give as much as we can, and we have raised responsible adults that also give. Knowing we have been a role model for them matters to us. Give what you can and collectively it makes a difference.”

Q: Where does your sense of community come from?

Nick: “My mother raised three sons in a tough working-class community in Jamaica, Queens, NYC. I benefitted from rich community support systems that nurtured my growth and development. My entire career as a nonprofit executive and in the corporate arena has been providing economic opportunities to those left behind. These experiences have hard wired a desire to see people change their lives in communities that embrace and nurture change.

Q: How can someone’s involvement help others in the community?

Regina: “Involvement is all about building awareness!  A lot of times you don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes unless you get involved. Once you get involved you will find out the many ways you can make a difference with your time and treasure.  I take every opportunity I can to mention the Goodwill Opportunity Campus — where it’s located, the good work that’s happening with programs & services, and what’s behind the retail stores!”

If you would like to help fund Goodwill’s programs and services that we offer to the community free of charge, consider dropping off your gently used donations at one of our locations or making a financial contribution.

Goodwill is partnering with businesses throughout the region to boost donations and local impact as we turn your items into career services for people in the community. We are thrilled to announce a new partnership between Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont and the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, representing a powerful collaboration between two of the largest nonprofits in our community.

From Monday, July 15 through Monday, July 29, four YMCA centers – Brace, Simmons, Morrison, and Keith – will go head-to-head in the Give for Good competition. This two-week blitz encourages each location to rally their employees, members and community supporters to donate gently used items at Goodwill bins located inside their facilities. The YMCA that gathers the most donations by the end of the competition will be crowned the winner, and all donated items will be sold at Goodwill stores to fund crucial job training and employment services across the Charlotte region.

We’re grateful to the Y for kicking off the Give for Good competition and are looking for other organizations to take the challenge. Are you part of a locally-focused business that would be a perfect partner for the head-to-head donation challenge? Let’s explore the possibility. For more information, click here.

As many of you know, when you shop or donate at Goodwill, you do good for the community. That’s because the money we make from selling donated items in our stores is what funds the programs and services we offer to the community absolutely free of charge. These programs and services help people train for and find employment so that they can support themselves and their families. When families thrive, communities thrive.

But did you know when you shop or donate at Goodwill, you also do good for our planet? Here are just three ways Goodwill is good for the Earth:

  1. Goodwill stores play a big part in the circular economy, which is a system that keeps products in circulation for as long as possible. Goodwill helps communities extend the life of usable items, which reduces the amount of material sent to landfills or incinerators. Last year, we sold more than 17 million items, giving them a second chance.
  2. Goodwill works to solve the planet’s e-waste problem, the fastest growing waste problem in the world. We recycle and refurbish more than 1 million pounds of electronics each year. Electronics that are donated in working condition and items we’re able to refurbish are sold at our tech store, The GRID. Items that we can’t resell are recycled.
  3. Many people don’t realize the amount of limited natural resources it takes to produce everyday items. For example, did you know that it takes 1,800 gallons of water to grow enough cotton to make just one pair of jeans? That’s crazy! When you donate clothes you no longer want and buy secondhand items, you help preserve the planet’s water supply.

If you’re looking for a way to make a difference, start by donating to Goodwill. We make it easy to give stuff a new life to keep the planet a bit greener!

ABOUT THE DONATION DRIVE

Join Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont and WCNC Charlotte for the Goodwill Day of Giving on Saturday, May 11, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Charlotte Premium Outlets! Clean out your closets, declutter your drawers, and drop off the items you no longer want at this special donation drive. Not sure what you can donate? Check out our list of items we can and cannot accept!

HOW YOUR DONATIONS DO GOOD

FOR THE COMMUNITY:

We’ll sell the donations we receive from this special drive in our retail stores and online shops, and use the proceeds to fund job training programs, job search support services, family stability services and more – all of which we offer free of charge to thousands of people in our community each year. Last year, your donations and purchases allowed us to help more than 9,000 people in our community advance their careers and improve their lives.

FOR THE PLANET:

When you donate your unwanted items to Goodwill, you give them a second chance. Goodwill stores play a big part in the circular economy, which is a system that keeps products in circulation for as long as possible. Goodwill helps communities extend the life of usable items, which lessens the amount of material sent to landfills or incinerators. Millions of donated items are given a second life through your local Goodwill each year.

CAN’T MAKE IT?

If you can’t make it to the Goodwill Day of Giving, don’t worry! Goodwill accepts donations every day at its 36 retail stores and 10+ drop-off locations.

 

Did you know that donating your electronics and gently used items to Goodwill helps the earth tremendously? Help keep our planet safe and healthy while you declutter and start your spring cleaning this season.

RECYCLE YOUR ELECTRONICS WITH GOODWILL

Electronic waste is the fastest-growing waste problem in the world. Did you know that you can donate your used electronics to Goodwill, whether or not they work? Through our partnership with Dell Reconnect, we’ll refurbish your donated electronics to sell at our tech store, the GRID: Powered by Goodwill. If we can’t sell your electronic donations, we’ll recycle them responsibly, ensuring they don’t end up in a landfill. Here are four ways you can recycle your tech this Earth Month:

We accept the following items in all conditions and all brands:

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

In addition to helping the planet, donating your electronics and other items makes a difference by connecting people in our community to resources and job training at no cost. Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont uses the revenue generated from the sale of donations throughout its stores and online to provide job placement and training, certifications and credentials for anyone looking to grow their careers. Read about just a few of the thousands of people we’ve helped thanks to your donations here

Goodwill is hosting a donation drive in partnership with the Charlotte Knights! Stop by and donate your gently-used clothing, electronics, household items and more.

DETAILS

ENTER TO WIN PRIZES

When you donate your gently-used items, not only will you be giving back to your community – you’ll also be entered to win an XBOX One or a 50-inch flat screen TV!

THANK YOU, VETERANS!

In honor of Veterans Day, any veterans, military members or their dependents who donate will receive a coupon for 25% off donated goods at any Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont retail store, excluding its outlet store, Second Editions. Donors must show their veteran/military/dependent ID at the donation drive to receive the coupon.

YOUR DONATIONS MAKE AN IMPACT!

You can feel good about donating to Goodwill because your gently-used items will do good for our community! The revenue we generate from selling items in our stores funds career training coursesjob search supportfamily stability services and more – all of which we offer free of charge to thousands of people in our community each year, including our own team members.

ABOUT THE DONATION DRIVE

Join Goodwill and WCNC Charlotte for the Goodwill Day of Giving on Saturday, April 29, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Goodwill’s Ballantyne – East retail store! At this special donation drive, WCNC Charlotte will broadcast live, and you’ll have the opportunity to meet Larry Sprinkle, WCNC Charlotte’s beloved weatherman. 

DONATIONS WE CAN ACCEPT:

DONATIONS WE CAN’T ACCEPT:

HOW YOUR DONATIONS DO GOOD

We’ll sell the donations we receive from this special event in our retail stores and online, and use the revenue to fund career training courses, job search support, family stability services and more – all of which we offer free of charge to thousands of people in our community each year. Last year, your donations and purchases allowed us to help more than 7,000 people in our community advance their careers and improve their lives.

Plus, when you donate to Goodwill, you’re helping more than our community – you’re helping our planet too! More than 17 million donated items were given a second life through your local Goodwill just last year.

If you can’t make it to the Goodwill Day of Giving, don’t worry! Goodwill accepts donations every day at its 31 retail stores and seven drop-off locations.

 

by: Amy Share, Grants Manager at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont

March is Women’s History Month, and we’re excited to highlight a valued supporter of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont’s mission, the Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Legacy Foundation.

The Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Legacy Foundation helps provide access to opportunities that foster self-sufficiency, especially for women. As a grantor of the Goodwill Career Navigation program since 2018, they have created lasting impact for those pursuing equitable access to career opportunities. Last year, Goodwill supported over 340 women through career navigation.

Antonia “Toni” Voliton moved to the Charlotte area in 2010 seeking economic opportunities and stable schools for her children. After being employed in social work supporting those with mental illness, she was soon introduced to Goodwill’s services and was inspired by her Career Navigator to become one herself.

“I was so excited to begin my career journey at Goodwill. I figured out very quickly, that my social work background would be an asset to my role. Eight years later, I remain in my position, helping participants to develop essential employability skills and gain family sustaining employment.”

Support from Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Legacy has helped ensure Antonia’s work can continue, providing customized one-on-one coaching and aiding participants to bridge the skills gap to pursue the life they want to achieve.

“This is why grants are essential in executing Goodwill’s mission. Those who provide grants help Career Navigators provide our varied participants current, beneficial career guidance.”

Thank you to the Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Legacy Foundation for continuing to support team members like Antonia and our Career Navigation program. These services are vital to providing a clear path for participants to pursue career opportunities, advance and thrive.

Did you know that shopping secondhand and donating your electronics and gently used items to organizations like Goodwill helps the earth tremendously? Help keep our planet safe and healthy while you declutter and start your spring cleaning this season.

DONATE YOUR GENTLY USED ITEMS

Do you need to clear out your old furniture to make space for that new piece you just bought? Are you ditching skinny jeans and jumping on the mom jeans trend? Donate your gently used items to Goodwill to give them a chance at a second life, helping them stay out of landfills. Goodwill has 35+ donation locations in the region to drop-off your gently used items.

RECYCLE YOUR ELECTRONICS WITH GOODWILL

Electronic waste is the fastest-growing waste problem in the world. Did you know that you can donate your used electronics to Goodwill, whether or not they work? Through our partnership with Dell Reconnect, we’ll refurbish your donated electronics to sell at our tech store, the GRID: Powered by Goodwill. If we can’t sell your electronic donations, we’ll recycle them responsibly, ensuring they don’t end up in a landfill. You can donate your electronics at any of our stores and donation centers on any day, or attend one of our four upcoming electronics donation and recycling drives:

*These electronics drives will also accept documents to be shredded and recycled.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

In addition to helping the planet, donating your clothes, shoes, household goods, electronics and other items makes a difference by connecting people in our community to resources and career training at no cost. Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont uses the revenue generated from the sale of donations throughout its stores and online to provide job placement and training, certifications and credentials for anyone looking to grow their careers. Read about just a few of the thousands of people we’ve helped thanks to your donations here

Entering a new year frequently inspires positive life changes like decluttering and simplifying. If getting organized has topped your list of New Year’s resolutions, check out these decluttering methods to help you reach your goals in 2023:

REVERSE HANGER METHOD

For this method, take just a few minutes to go into your closet and turn all of your hangers around backward so the open end of the hanger faces toward you. Then, each time you wear a clothing item, make sure to hang it back in your closet facing forward as you normally would, so the opening of the hanger faces away from you.

Set a calendar reminder for June 2023. When your reminder goes off, you’ll know exactly what items you wear and don’t wear. Chances are, if you haven’t worn it yet it could be time to let it go!

ONE IN, ONE OUT METHOD

Grab some new tops at a sale? Purge the tops you never pull out of your drawer! Get a new pair of shoes for your birthday? Donate your older pair! In this method, each time you buy something new, a similar item must go. If you keep removing as many items as you add, you declutter regularly without noticing or putting in a lot of effort, and you won’t accumulate more items than you already have.

FOUR BOX METHOD

This method makes decluttering easier by speeding up the decision-making process. Find and label four boxes – the throw away box, the donate box, the storage box and the keep box. As you go through a cluttered room in your house, pick up each item and ask yourself how often you use the item. Put items you still use regularly in the “keep” box, and items you still use but not as regularly in the “storage” box.

For items you no longer use, ask yourself if the item is gently used. One thing to consider when deciding whether to donate or throw away an item is if you’d feel good getting it as a gift or a hand-me-down. If you wouldn’t want to receive it, chances are someone else probably wouldn’t either. Toss those items!

YOUR DONATED ITEMS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Once you’re organized, you’ll be in a perfect position to donate what you no longer need to your local Goodwill. Those items will then be sold to fund career training coursesjob search supportfamily stability services and more – all of which we offer free of charge to thousands of people in our community each year. Not only will your efforts help you be better organized, less stressed and more productive, but they’ll also help someone else in your community.

A little effort can go a long way. Spending just a few minutes each day to get organized will help make your life healthier and happier! January is the perfect month to make it happen. Wishing you a positive, productive and healthy 2023.