Author: Jacob Heller

Goodwill giving all July Round up at the Register donations to Red Cross Disaster Relief

Round up to help with flood relief

July 1st through July 31st, all donations received from Goodwill of the Great Plains’ customers as part of the Round up at the Register drive will be donated to the American Red Cross – Disaster Response: Spring Storms and Floods, to support those affected by the recent flooding in our region.

Getting asked to round up at Goodwill is nothing new; when you shop at any of our 22 retail stores or Outlet Center, you’re asked to round up to the next dollar at checkout. While this money usually goes toward Goodwill’s mission of providing job training and employment services to individuals in our communities, from now through Wednesday, July 31st, any amount you donate will be given to the American Red Cross.

“As those affected by the flooding begin the physically and emotionally exhausting process of recovering from this upheaval to their lives, Goodwill wants to help,” said Briget Solomon, President & CEO of Goodwill of the Great Plains. “I’m constantly amazed by the compassion and kindness throughout our organization and in the communities we get to call home.”

Whether your donation is $.99 or just one penny – you can be confident knowing it will help those affected by the historic flooding of the Big Sioux, Little Sioux, Missouri and other rivers this summer.

All donations will be paid to the Red Cross by Saturday, August 10th.

In addition to the Round up at the Register drive, Goodwill of the Great Plains will be distributing additional store vouchers to agencies within the communities we serve that provide disaster relief.

Goodwill of the Great Plains looks to future with updated mission, vision statements

Updated statements bring Goodwill’s employment-centered, sustainable mission more into focus

Goodwill of the Great Plains builds independence through employment, training, and community support.

That new mission statement was adopted by Goodwill of the Great Plains Board of Directors earlier this year, along with a new vision statement, which reads:

“We envision a community where individuals thrive and reach their fullest potential, while being a leader in environmental sustainability.”

Goodwill’s mission is, and always has been, to help give the people we serve the tools they need to find meaningful, rewarding employment in our communities.

In the 21st century, we pursue our mission in a highly sustainable way.

While serving more than 33,000 people in 2023, Goodwill of the Great Plains and our customers also diverted more than 12 million pounds of material from landfills.

While our mission and vision statements have changed, the programs we offer have not; In fact, our scope has grown, with the addition of Career Exploration, Day and Supported Employment Services in the state of South Dakota, specifically in the Rapid City area, this spring.

To find out more about the programs and services we offer, please visit http://www.goodwillgreatplains.org

Goodwill Outlet Center to open Tuesdays starting July 2nd

Get ready for five days of bargain hunting bliss each week

If you enjoy the thrill of the (treasure) hunt, you’re in luck! Starting this July, shoppers will have an extra day of bargain-hunting bliss each week, thanks to Goodwill’s big blue bins!

Beginning Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024, the Goodwill of the Great Plains Outlet Center at 3100 W. 4th St. in Sioux City will be open EVERY Tuesday from 10:00am – 8:00pm! This additional day of shopping means the Outlet Center will now be open FIVE DAYS A WEEK, from 10 – 8 EVERY Tuesday – Saturday.

If you’ve never been to the Outlet Center, what are you waiting for?

It’s the only place in town where household goods and more are sold for just $1.59 PER POUND; glass items are just $.75 per pound. If don’t see what you’re looking for right away, we’ve got you covered – NEW MERCHANDISE is brought in FIVE TIMES DAILY, at 11:00am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm, 3:30pm & 5:00pm.

The Outlet Center gives donated items that haven’t sold yet a second chance, helping Goodwill maximize donations while diverting these items from landfills. And, just like Goodwill’s regular retail stores, every time you shop at the Outlet Center you’re helping support Goodwill’s mission of building independence through employment, training, and community support.

To find out more about Goodwill of the Great Plains’ mission of employment training and community support, please visit http://www.goodwillgreatplains.org

Goodwill volunteers fill relief bags to help friends affected by historic floods

More than a dozen volunteers were helping fill bags with toiletries and other personal hygiene items at Goodwill of the Great Plains on Tuesday, June 25th. The bags will go to roughly 10 people who are enrolled in Goodwill programs who have been displaced from their homes because of the flooding Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers.

The bags contained items like shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes and more; the volunteers were also planning to distribute food, as well.

The volunteers are among those served by Goodwill of the Great Plains’ Integrated Day Services Program, which provides care for elderly adults, adults with special needs and adults with Alzheimer’s.

To find out more about Goodwill’s programs, please visit http://www.goodwillgreatplains.org

Local students get virtual reality career experience thanks to Goodwill

Goodwill headsets give students hands-on virtual experiences

Dozens of local high school students were able to practice their job interview skills and try out careers first-hand, thanks to Goodwill of the Great Plains’ virtual reality headsets, at the TAP Summer Program held at Sioux City’s North High School on Wednesday, June 4th.

The Goodwill VR headsets allow students to explore careers in fields ranging from construction to healthcare and beyond, with training simulations allowing them to virtually change the oil in an automobile, assist with an electrocardiogram (EKG), demolish an overpass, repair fiber internet service and more.

As part of the camp, students were also able to tour Goodwill’s Career Cruiser.

Are you ready to take your career to the next level?

Goodwill can help!

Please visit http://www.goodwillgreatplains.org to find out more about the job training and placement programs offered at Goodwill of the Great Plains, as well as our Job Center and Career Cruiser.