Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina, Inc.

Helping people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work.

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Goodwill Industries 9^th Annual Angel Tree program is geared to meet the needs and wishes of seniors in our community this holiday season.  

The senior population (50+) in South Carolina in 2000 was 27.9 percent. This number will increase to more than 33 percent by 2015. There were 67,989 seniors on food stamps in 2002. This group faces many challenges on a fixed income, with the rising cost of prescriptions and health care, finding affordable housing and overall inflation. In a credit driven society, the senior community is the fastest growing debtors in the United States. You can help this growing population by donating items from their needs and wants list or providing a monetary donation.

A Word To The Wise

Not all thrift stores are charities.  For-profit companies operate some thrift stores, yet they solicit donations under the name of a charity.  In these cases, potential donors usually are not informed of the arrangement between the charity and the for-profit company.  As little as five percent of the money generated from these donations may actually go to the charity.  The for-profit entity may control the entire operation, from solicitation to the resale of goods.

Making An Informed Choice

You can make sure your donations are benefiting the people who need them most by asking a few key questions:

·        Will your donation be used to support a cause you believe in?

·        What percentage of the revenues generated by your donation will directly support the mission of the organization?

·        Does the charity actually operate the thrift store in which your donation will be sold?  Or is the store run by a for-profit operation?

·        If the store is run by a for-profit, how will your donation help people in need?

What You Should Do

·        Give to charities you know and trust.  Note that fraudulent charities often modify the names of established groups, so be sure to read carefully the name of the charity before giving.

·        Familiarize yourself with the organization soliciting your support.  Avoid giving to organizations that send unsolicited e-mails or to solicitors who ask for your credit card number over the telephone or request payment in cash.

·        Avoid donating to organizations that can’t immediately provide you with information about their mission, history and the causes they are asking you to support.

·        Find out how your donation will be used and how much the organization intends to raise.

·        Realize that the opportunity to give extends beyond an organization’s immediate need.

Donation Dos

·        Wash or dry-clean clothing.

·        Test electrical equipment and battery-operated items.

·        Include all pieces and parts to children’s games and toys.

·        Check with your local Goodwill Industries agency to determine standards for donating computers and vehicles.

Donation Don’ts

·        Leave items unattended outside a collection center.

·        Donate broken or soiled items.

·        Give items that have been recalled, banned, or do not meet current safety standards.  For more information, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov).

Mayors Roy Hyman of Surfside, John Rhodes of Myrtle Beach, Gregory Martin of Conway and Councilman Bob Cavanaugh of North Myrtle Beach braved the cold recently and helped Goodwill cut the ribbon in front of their new retail stores in Conway and Surfside. The mayors and Councilman were presented with a "Key to Goodwill" to signify Goodwill's dedication to the city and commitment to serving the community.

“This key is a symbol of hope and opportunity for the citizens of the Grand Strand,” said Robert Smith, CEO and President of Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina. “Goodwill is ready and committed to making a positive impact in serving those who are homeless, find hope; those that are disabled find dignity; and those who are struggling find strength through the dignity and power of work.”

The doors opened immediately following the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and customers rushed in the store to find the best bargains as well as that one-of-a-kind item you can only find at Goodwill. Refreshments donated by Dunkin Donuts were served to customers as they were entertained by local radio stations and the “Eat More Chicken” cows from Chick-Fil-A. Customers left the store with prizes, including 3 lucky shopping spree winners who took home everything they could fit in their carts in 60 seconds. 

“We would like to thank all of the local businesses who helped make this day a success,” Smith said. “We look forward to strengthen our partnerships so we can better serve the community.”

Goodwill Industries 9^th Annual Angel Tree program is geared to meet the needs and wishes of seniors in our community this holiday season.  

The senior population (50+) in South Carolina in 2000 was 27.9 percent. This number will increase to more than 33 percent by 2015. There were 67,989 seniors on food stamps in 2002. This group faces many challenges on a fixed income, with the rising cost of prescriptions and health care, finding affordable housing and overall inflation. In a credit driven society, the senior community is the fastest growing debtors in the United States. You can help this growing population by donating items from their needs and wants list or providing a monetary donation.

A Word To The Wise

Not all thrift stores are charities.  For-profit companies operate some thrift stores, yet they solicit donations under the name of a charity.  In these cases, potential donors usually are not informed of the arrangement between the charity and the for-profit company.  As little as five percent of the money generated from these donations may actually go to the charity.  The for-profit entity may control the entire operation, from solicitation to the resale of goods.

Making An Informed Choice

You can make sure your donations are benefiting the people who need them most by asking a few key questions:

·        Will your donation be used to support a cause you believe in?

·        What percentage of the revenues generated by your donation will directly support the mission of the organization?

·        Does the charity actually operate the thrift store in which your donation will be sold?  Or is the store run by a for-profit operation?

·        If the store is run by a for-profit, how will your donation help people in need?

What You Should Do

·        Give to charities you know and trust.  Note that fraudulent charities often modify the names of established groups, so be sure to read carefully the name of the charity before giving.

·        Familiarize yourself with the organization soliciting your support.  Avoid giving to organizations that send unsolicited e-mails or to solicitors who ask for your credit card number over the telephone or request payment in cash.

·        Avoid donating to organizations that can’t immediately provide you with information about their mission, history and the causes they are asking you to support.

·        Find out how your donation will be used and how much the organization intends to raise.

·        Realize that the opportunity to give extends beyond an organization’s immediate need.

Donation Dos

·        Wash or dry-clean clothing.

·        Test electrical equipment and battery-operated items.

·        Include all pieces and parts to children’s games and toys.

·        Check with your local Goodwill Industries agency to determine standards for donating computers and vehicles.

Donation Don’ts

·        Leave items unattended outside a collection center.

·        Donate broken or soiled items.

·        Give items that have been recalled, banned, or do not meet current safety standards.  For more information, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov).

Mayors Roy Hyman of Surfside, John Rhodes of Myrtle Beach, Gregory Martin of Conway and Councilman Bob Cavanaugh of North Myrtle Beach braved the cold recently and helped Goodwill cut the ribbon in front of their new retail stores in Conway and Surfside. The mayors and Councilman were presented with a "Key to Goodwill" to signify Goodwill's dedication to the city and commitment to serving the community.

“This key is a symbol of hope and opportunity for the citizens of the Grand Strand,” said Robert Smith, CEO and President of Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina. “Goodwill is ready and committed to making a positive impact in serving those who are homeless, find hope; those that are disabled find dignity; and those who are struggling find strength through the dignity and power of work.”

The doors opened immediately following the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and customers rushed in the store to find the best bargains as well as that one-of-a-kind item you can only find at Goodwill. Refreshments donated by Dunkin Donuts were served to customers as they were entertained by local radio stations and the “Eat More Chicken” cows from Chick-Fil-A. Customers left the store with prizes, including 3 lucky shopping spree winners who took home everything they could fit in their carts in 60 seconds. 

“We would like to thank all of the local businesses who helped make this day a success,” Smith said. “We look forward to strengthen our partnerships so we can better serve the community.”

Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina wrapped up their 9^th Annual Golden Angel Tree Program on December 17, at the Charleston Area Senior Citizens Services, Inc, located on Meeting Street in downtown Charleston. Goodwill organized a holiday party at the Center in which they distributed over 300 gift bags, as well as other door prizes, to local, disadvantaged senior citizens.

“Because there are so many wonderful programs dedicated to the children in our community, we decided to shift our focus to another needy group,” said Tina Marshall, Vice President of Corporate Relations for Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina. “Seniors face many challenges on a fixed income with the rising cost of prescriptions and health care, finding affordable housing and overall inflation. We wanted to make sure that they were also taken care of this holiday season.”

For weeks, Goodwill and local volunteers shopped for items and put together over 300 gift bags full of items that meet the needs and wishes of seniors. Included in the gift bags were fleece blankets, towels, toiletry items, a soup basket, socks, stamps, playing cards, a first aid kit, and other gifts to provide holiday cheer to the seniors.     

“This is a wonderful tradition that our seniors look forward to every holiday season,” said Yvonne Cooper, Case Manager for the Charleston Area Senior Citizens Services, Inc. “Senior citizens have spent so much of their life giving to the community, it nice for them to know that the community remembers, cares and wants to give back to them.”

The Golden Angel Tree Program is funded through the sale of “Golden Angels” at each of the Goodwill stores. Customers are able to purchase the angels during the holidays for a $1 donation. All sales go directly to the program.

Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina opened our doors to our Grand Strand Stores in Surfside and Conway stores on Friday, January 11. The stores were flooded with over a thousand customers searching for the best bargains and not many left empty-handed.

We invite you to help us celebrate our Grand Openings this Friday, January 18, starting with a ribbon-cutting at 9:00 am. In attendance will be local mayors and dignitaries who will be presented with the “Key to Goodwill Industries” to signify Goodwill's dedication to the city and commitment to serving the community.

The Grand Opening Celebration will immediately follow with prize drawings every half hour. Customers who sign up for a Goodwill Reward$ card receive 25% off their purchases and are automatically registered to win the Grand Prize – a Sony 40” HD LCD TV. Two lucky winners at each store will have the chance to go on a 60 second shopping spree. Local radio stations will be promoting the events while providing food and additional give-a-ways. Chick-Fil-A cows will be accepting donations at the stores’ donation drive-throughs and distributing coupons for free Chick-Fil-A sandwiches. The local businesses have partnered with Goodwill to make sure this is an event to remember!