Goodwill® Joins The Giving Tuesday Movement

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Dec 03, 2013, 08:00 ET

It Feels Good to Give Back

ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Building on Goodwill's belief that it feels good to give back, Goodwill^® is joining the Giving Tuesday movement.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090716/DC47803LOGO)

Giving Tuesday is a collective effort to transform how people take part in the giving season. Just as Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become synonymous with holiday shopping, the goal of Giving Tuesday is to be a national day of giving.

"Goodwill has been changing lives through job training, employment placement and other services for more than a century," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "It just makes sense for us to take part in a broader effort to give to others this holiday season."

Begun by New York's 92^nd Street Y last year, Giving Tuesday has brought together thought leaders in philanthropy, social media and grassroots organizers.

Goodwill is asking people to make a special tax-deductible gift on Giving Tuesday.

"Even a small amount can make a life-changing difference," said Gibbons. "During this time of economic uncertainty and high unemployment, the demand for Goodwill's services has grown significantly. Thanks to the help of loyal supporters, we can continue to meet the diverse needs of people in our community."

Goodwill serves people who have disabilities, those who lack education or job experience, and others facing challenges to finding employment. Last year alone, more than 216,000 people in the United States and Canada obtained meaningful employment through Goodwill job training programs.

For more information about Goodwill, visit www.goodwill.org.

For more information about Giving Tuesday, go to www.givingtuesday.org.

About Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of America's top 25 most inspiring companies (Forbes). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 2,700 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com®. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2012, more than 6.7 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill channels 82 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services.

To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl and @GoodwillCapHill, and find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

SOURCE Goodwill Industries International