110421 SWB DIGITAL EDITION

www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x November 4 — 17, 2021 x 5
COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION
From Closet to Checkout:
Goodwill Can Change Lives
by Arnold Sanchez
vice president of retail and donated goods at Goodwill Industries of Central Florida
31
Dropping off
donations at
Goodwill is fast
and easy.
If you’ve ever dropped off a box
of donations at your local Goodwill,
you might have wondered what happens
to it after you hand it over.
Where will it go? Who will buy it?
How much will it sell for, and where
will that money go? In fact, you
might be surprised to learn just how
far your donation goes.
Step One:
The Drop-Off
After a long day of cleaning out
closets, Meredith brings her box of
donations — lightly used clothes,
some home décor and children’s toys
— to a nearby Goodwill center. It’s a
quick trip. She’s finished in the time it
takes to unload two boxes.
While she may not realize it, her
donation is already making an impact.
Instead of going to a landfill,
the items will be purchased by local
buyers, reducing waste and offsetting
the environmental footprint of
buying new. In Central Florida alone,
Goodwill diverts 16 million pounds
of waste from landfills every year.
Step Two:
Behind the Scenes
Growing up with a learning disability,
Erik was regularly told what
he couldn’t do. Things that were
simple for most people — interviewing
for a job or working five days a
week — were considered impossible
for him.
But, when he was referred to vocational
rehabilitation at Goodwill, he
met a caring team of counselors who
helped him challenge those limits.
Now a donation processor, he enjoys
a flexible workload, accessible
accommodations and the dignity
and independence of a meaningful
career.
When Meredith drops off her donations,
Erik and his team check for
visible damage. Items in good condition
will be sorted, priced and sent
out to local stores. Any items that
can’t be accepted — such as fuel,
batteries and certain electronics —
will be safely disposed of or recycled,
if possible.
Step Three:
In the Store Aisles
A new college student, Layla
wants to add some personality to
her dorm room without breaking her
budget. When she heads to the local
Goodwill to shop for deals, a
colorful throw pillow donated by
Meredith catches her eye. It’s just
what she was looking for.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
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