Bowling Green Comes Together for Goodwill’s Annual Day of Giving
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Goodwill Industries of Kentucky held its annual Day of Giving on a recent Saturday, a special event designed to help individuals in Kentucky overcome barriers to employment. The event saw Goodwill Opportunity Centers from across the state come together to raise funds and to spread awareness about the important work they do in communities.
Community Support at the Heart of the Event
“The Day of Giving is a time when Goodwillers come together and just ask our friends, colleagues, partners, people in the community to donate to Goodwill for our mission,” said Lennea Wooten, Director of Mission Integration for Goodwill. This year, Wooten, who has a strong track record in fundraising locally, is hoping to keep the title of state champion for collecting donations in Bowling Green.
After a successful inaugural Day of Giving last year, which was based out of Louisville, this year’s event made significant strides by including all local Opportunity Centers throughout Kentucky. Joshua Jones, the Regional Manager of Retail, explained, “This year all the Opportunity Centers throughout the state are appearing together just so we can reach more people and have a more successful day.”
Keeping Funds Local
In Bowling Green, every dollar raised during the Day of Giving will be allocated to support the Goodwill Opportunity Center and its various programs. “Everything that we’re doing stays within our area. So today, through the Day of Giving, we are raising money for our Goodwill Bowling Green Opportunity Center,” stated Tami Phelps, Senior Store Manager.
The center plays a vital role in assisting individuals with challenges related to employment and housing. Goodwill’s approach is focused on fostering self-sufficiency among community members, rather than offering mere handouts. Phelps emphasized, “Goodwill offers a hand up, not a handout. What that means is that you have to work. There are different programs that many of our employees have taken part in, but it’s a hand-up, not a handout.”
A Chance for Change
The funds collected during the Day of Giving are crucial for continuing the beneficial programs provided by Goodwill. These resources are aimed at creating life-changing impacts for people in need. “So it’s important because we’re literally helping people that come sometimes from a place where they don’t have any hope and that takes funds to be able to do that,” Wooten shared. Each Opportunity Center across the state participated in raising funds to enhance local services and support.
How to Contribute
Those who wish to donate were able to do so throughout the day at goodwillky.org or at any local Goodwill location until 11:59 p.m. Central Time. The event encouraged both monetary donations and raising awareness about the programs offered at Goodwill, which aim to empower individuals on their paths to success.
The Impact of Giving
Goodwill’s ongoing mission relies heavily on community support, and events like the Day of Giving play a vital role in ensuring that individuals struggling with employment and other life challenges receive the help they need. With community members and local businesses stepping up to donate, Goodwill’s mission of providing a hand up will continue to thrive in the Bowling Green area.
