For many Goodwill stores, October is the nonprofit’s busiest month … and for one reason: Halloween shopping. The nonprofit offers clothing and other items that are not only affordable, but can help create a creative and original costume.
“At Goodwill, we embrace the fact that many people do come to us to find costumes – our wide variety of inexpensive clothing and accessories makes it a convenient one-stop shop for customers,” said Bill Oakley, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Florida. “With a little creativity, Goodwill stores can provide items for a variety of costumes – from celebrity impersonators, to princesses, prom queens and cowboys.”
In Central Florida, Goodwill operates 28 retail stores – making shopping convenient for residents. And not only do shoppers benefit from original and affordable costumes, they are also supporting the community, as well. That’s because proceeds from Goodwill’s retail stores support job training programs and services for people with disabilities or other barriers to employment. Since the beginning of 2013, Goodwill has served 22,929 Central Florida residents at its Job Connection Centers – and of those, 4,351 are now employed.
“More than 20,000 people come to us for assistance each year,” said Oakley. “Without the community’s generosity – in both donating and shopping – we wouldn’t have the funds to help them find employment.”
To find your nearest Goodwill, visit www.goodwillcfl.org.
