Goodwill of the Great Plains

Festive Designs for Your Independence Day Celebration

With Independence Day right around the corner, you may be looking for new and exciting ways to celebrate. Of course, a parade and fireworks are basically mandatory, but don’t forget to dress up yourself and your home! These are two of my favorite ways to enjoy holidays since they really set the tone for whatever merriment is approaching.

Image via GoodwillEasterSeals.org

The first thing I like to do to prepare for an upcoming event is to pull together at least one themed display at home. Just setting something up on a tabletop or bookshelf doesn’t take long, but can make a great statement. You don’t even need to have guests over to appreciate it! I find that changing up my surroundings even just a little at a time keeps my home feeling fresh and inspiring. This quick and patriotic display made by Sarah for Goodwill Easter Seals (Saint Paul) is exactly what I’m talking about. It’s bright, bold, and brilliantly priced since she found everything at Goodwill!

Image via GoodwillFabulous.com

Be a firework this fourth by decking yourself out head-to-toe in red, white, and blue like Molly and Penny, the sisters behind the blog Goodwill Fabulous. Can you believe that the dress Molly scored for $4.99 from her local Goodwill originally retailed for $138? That’s about 96% off! I’d say the hunt is well worth it for a price like that. What do you think?

Image via ItAllStartedWithPaint.com

Another aspect of Independence Day that I truly adore is how social the holiday is. This is not one of those intimate family days like Easter nor is it a one-on-one type evening like Valentine’s Day. It’s an all-you-can-eat, everyone’s invited, break out the sparklers kind of jubilation! As such, it might be a good idea for you to have some snacks and activities on hand. Here are some fantastic ideas for themed décor and pastimes from Marion Goodwill Industries (OH) including the super simple silverware stash above!

But perhaps the most patriotic thing about celebrating the Fourth of July by shopping at your Goodwill is that every dollar you spend is going back into your own community. Eighty-three percent of collective revenues raised through the sale of donated goods support and grow Goodwill’s critical community-based programs and services. Thrifting at Goodwill is such an easy and effective way to help keep your unique community strong to ensure that we can continue to applaud it every July 4th for a very long time

Questions to Ask During Interviews (pt 3 of 3)

By Randy Wooden

Today I wrap up my three-part blog series on questions you may want to ask an employer during your interview. We have already covered questions dealing with areas like your job duties, why they are hiring, and your training.

This time, we will look at a few other areas, starting with advancement. After all, the position for which you are interviewing might not be your final job. You might want to move up in pay and responsibility at this company or some other employer.

When speaking about advancement, demonstrate your interest in the job at hand while exploring what the future holds. Sometimes the employer will start that dialogue by asking about your goals. If they do not bring it up, it is fine for you to ask.

“I’m excited about this position because (you should be prepared to talk about two to three reasons). And as I learn and achieve, I’d like to continue to be challenged. For someone who does a great job, what are possible future opportunities within the organization?”

While my wording may not suit your style, these ideas can help you get started. Play around with the phrasing so it matches your style. You want them to know you are committed to the present job and will perform it well.

As your interview wraps up, make sure you understand their timeline for the next step in the hiring process. Will it be an offer or perhaps another interview? If the employer does not volunteer that information, restate your interest in the job and ask them about what happens next. When they give you an approximate timeline, ask whether it is ok to call them if you have not heard from them by then. This helps remove the guesswork about when to follow up.

While the next questions are not critical to knowing whether you can do or want the job, they may have value.

If you have done your homework on the company and see something noteworthy about them in a news story, tell them what you found and ask a question about it.

If you feel comfortable doing so, try asking the interviewer what attracted him or her to the company or what they think gives their company a competitive edge. You could ask about the company’s or the department’s goals. Save the compensation discussion for later.

Be prepared to ask questions; avoid questions that can easily answered with a quick web search.

Asking questions allows you to know more about the position while demonstrating you have researched the company and given thought to the position. It allows you to catch your breath from answering questions.

Good luck!

Celebrate Independence Day with Goodwill®

By Julia Marchand

When I think of the 4th of July, I envision our glorious flag (and what it represents), booming fireworks and a laid back happy vibe. No matter where you are celebrating or how many people are involved, those are the top three things, I think, on everyone’s Independence Day celebration checklist. The problem with party planning for an event like this, though, is that when you’re the host sometimes the details can overtake your ability to actually enjoy the free-spirited mood of the day. We don’t want you to miss out on the fun, so here are a few tips to help you capture the atmosphere of the holiday without missing out on the good parts.

Image via goodwillvirginia.org

Let’s start off with one décor tip that will go a long way: Making your food pull double duty! Every event needs food. Whether you’re hosting a huge gathering or just preparing enough for your family, it’s easy to color code your foods to fit the theme. Arrange a red, white, and blue dessert in a clear glass bowl (browse a wide variety of shapes and sizes at Goodwill for a great price!) and use it as a centerpiece. This great idea comes from the Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia (Richmond) blog. It’s a roundup post so check it out for even more décor ideas!

Marion Goodwill Industries (OH) has some easy 4th of July ideas, too, on their patriotic Pinboard. I especially love this idea to organize silverware into mason jars with red, white, and blue bandanas! Every piece of this easy-to-assemble display can be thrifted and the best part is that you’ll be able to use them all after the event, too! There’s a secret satisfaction I get when I can assimilate seasonal décor into off-season functionality. It’s just so convenient! I’ll definitely be trying this one.

Image via theendlessdiaryofasororitygirl.blogspot.com

Since your very festive table is now set, and we’ve decided that our décor this year must be functional, let’s talk about attire! Having the clothing you wear contribute to the color scheme is a simple yet effective way to create a cohesive look without having to put a lot of time into party prep. Start by looking through your closet to see what you already have. I’m big on whites and blues, so finding something to wear with those two colors wouldn’t be a problem for me. Red, however, is a hue I very rarely buy. That’s why I’ll browse Goodwill first.

Sure, it’s lovely to find some really fun an on-trend pieces at the mall or online, but the thrift store secret is that the item you’re considering buying brand new might actually be waiting for you at Goodwill for only a fraction of the price. Plus, when you buy second-hand items you’re helping the earth! A lot of the pieces in the display above were collected by Sophie of the blog The Endless Diary of a Sorority Girl at her local Goodwill and they’re all super stylish! What’s hiding out and waiting for you at yours?

While I really enjoy celebrating our nation’s independence on July 4th, I also want to mention my year-round independence inspiration: Goodwill. You may be a fan of thrift shopping because it’s less expensive and better for the environment, but did you also know that when you shop at and donate to Goodwill you are helping to fund Goodwill’s employment programs? These programs promote independence and dignity for people within your own community who need support to provide for themselves and their families and that’s only possible with your help. I can’t think of a better way to honor our nation’s birthday than to assist my neighbors in their efforts toward achieving the American Dream.

Teaching Thrift to Kids

By Jenna Pfueller

We’re hard on clothes. During all the movements required in our daily lives, we tug, we stretch, we chafe– it’s amazing we haven’t all just given up by now and collectively decided to go back to wearing togas.

As my own kids get bigger, the selection of hand me downs we’ve gotten from friends and neighbors are slowing to a trickle, since keeping children’s clothes in good condition as they enter their daredevil years gets increasingly more challenging. I see it in the bags of clothes I hand down to others, too, which seem to include fewer unstained shirts, fewer unripped knees, and fewer shoes that have any life left in them– whatsoever.

Apparently my oldest is at the age where blowing through the knees of his pants on the playground has become a daily occurance. A sport even. I’ve spent the last few months repairing the holes on his favorite pants repeatedly, only to find him come home with the same old holes reopened, and new hole friends to introduce to me to.

Courtesy: Jenna Pfueller

By the time those lightning-print knit joggers he loved so much had been patched for the fourth time, they had been inadvertently shortened by at least two sizes. While I don’t mind my kid wearing high-waters for a while, he seemed dismayed when his socks wouldn’t come up to the bottom of his pants anymore.

So this week I decided it was time for the scissors. Rather than tossing his beloved floods, I turned them into super-awesome summer shorts. An easy decision to make, considering they were nearing that length already. But it was even easier to make since the fact that they were knit meant they didn’t need any additional hemming.

I was careful to do this while he wasn’t looking of course, to save myself the panic it was sure to incite. Though I was a bit reckless in my cleanup. When he discovered the cut-off portions of his pants laying on the kitchen table (or as I call them, my new cute dust rags…..) he confronted me immediately.

“WHAT IS *THIS*!?” he demanded. I was caught scissor-handed.

Courtesy Jenna Pfueller

But when I showed him the “new” shorts he had, all was well with the world again.

And seriously, if you’re NOT thrifting for your kid’s clothes, you’re totally missing out. Don’t believe me? Just watch Carol’s Goodwill haul here, and the cute BODEN stuff she found!

Courtesy of Goodwill Works

Take it a step further and help teach your kids where their clothes come from and the importance of buying secondhand. Take them along on your next trip to your local Goodwill® and explain all the great things that come from purchasing and recycling used goods, and how it impacts their community.

Or if you can, participate programs that help connect children with the Goodwill Mission, like this one from the Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley & Northern Nevada.

Chances are good you live near a Goodwill and you may not even know it! There are more than 3,300 stores in the United States and Canada. Find yours here!

Spring/Summer Wedding Trend Edit

By Felicia Czochanski

It’s finally turning into that season where you leave work most days and the sun is still out. Where you can walk around outside in the middle of the day and find yourself squinting at the sun shining down on you. Now that the snowstorms have finally come to an end and flowers are starting to bloom, love is certainly back in the warm springtime air!

According to The Knot’s 2018 Real Wedding study, approximately 78% of all weddings take place between the months of May and October. The warm, sunny weather makes this time ideal for outdoor weddings and the blossoming of plants and flowers makes for some beautiful wedding photos. If you’re finding your refrigerator getting full with cute “save the date” cards and invitations – and if fate has it that the weddings you’re invited to all fall within a span of a few weeks like mine do – you’re going to want to save some money where you can.

When it comes to weddings, there are few things you can skimp on – and weddings are expensive and you want your friend’s special day to be perfect! You’ll have to budget for transportation and accommodations, a wedding gift and your outfit. This can add up pretty quickly and thanks to social media and overlapping friend groups, you won’t want to wear the same dress twice!

The perfect solve is to start scouring the racks of your local Goodwill® stores for brand new (with tags still attached!) and like new dresses to wear to weddings and events this spring. You’ll be sure to find dresses that are up to 90% off retail price – believe me, I’m talking from experience here! – and are in perfect condition. Plus, while you’re helping your wallet and adding to your wardrobe during wedding season, you’re also helping out members of your community find employment and access to classes they need, which is funded completely by Goodwill. Truly a win-win!

Now for the Spring/Summer wedding trend edit, keep reading below!

1. Beach Wedding

Photo: @maryorton

Weddings on the beach are both special and beautiful. You can combine some of the best nature the world has to offer while professing your love in front of friends and family. When attending a beach wedding, there’s one main thing to keep in mind – the wind. You’re going to want to avoid dresses with slits or the tendency to flip up and show everyone things they shouldn’t see. For this type of wedding, it’s important to stick with either a classy bodycon dress or a form-fitting maxi dress. While you’re at it – don’t even think about wearing heels on the sand! A chic metallic sandal will do the trick instead.

2. Black Tie Formal Wedding

Photo: @bycaitlinanne

Formal weddings are beautiful in their own way. Just imagine walking into an elegantly decorated ballroom where all the guests are dressed to the nines. For this dress code, you’ll want to pick out a floor length gown and a stunning pair of heels. If you’re indecisive about which gown to choose – light pastel blue is trending this season, which pairs perfectly with a silver heel.

3. Semi-Casual Wedding

Photo: hellofashionblog.com

When it comes to a semi-casual event, you’re going to want to take a hint from the friend or relative who’s getting married. What’s their style? If you showed up in a sundress would that suffice? If you came glammed out in a jumpsuit would they still be excited to see you? You can also gather clues from the wedding venue to see what type of attire would be most appropriate. For instance, if the wedding is being held at someone’s home, you can predict that both of those options would be appropriate. Key rule for this type of event? Wear something you’re comfortable in but still look put together and ready to celebrate!

4. Cocktail, Semi-Formal Wedding

Photo: @racheloveee

One of the most common dress codes for a wedding is cocktail attire. These are the types of weddings that leave room for the guests to have fun with their outfit choice, as long as it’s appropriate and still within the semi-formal guidelines. You can wear a dress decked out in sequins or show off your style with fun shapes and ruffles, like the mermaid gown with layered, slightly scalloped ruffles on the dress above.