Give Where You Live – Goodwill Encourages Residents to Give Locally

During the busy holiday season, people are looking for ways to give back. Between family commitments, financial obligations, and shopping adventures, however, many don’t find the time. The easiest, most affordable and quickest way to give back and help people before the end of the year is to donate clothing and household goods to Goodwill. Here are three reasons why:

1. Local Donations Have Local Impact Unemployment is still a major problem in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, and almost everyone knows someone personally who is struggling to make ends meet. At Goodwill, we turn the value of used goods into job training and placement services for people right here in our community. The sale of donations at our stores fund programs that help put our friends and neighbors back on the path to employment success.

2. A Fresh Start Helping people earn jobs feels good! Individuals can make room for holiday gifts and new purchases by cleaning out their closets, garages or storage spaces and donating the items to Goodwill. Knowing that they’re helping give someone else a fresh start in the process is what the whole “Season of Giving” is about. Parents can encourage children to give back this holiday season by donating one used toy for every new item they receive.

3. A Tax Season Head Start During this financially stressful time of year, many people are looking for any way to rack up a little savings. Fortunately, by doing good and donating, tax payers can also get a head start on saving for the upcoming tax season. Items donated on or before December 31 can be counted as charitable deductions on 2013 returns.

“There is no easier, quicker or more affordable way to help our community this season than by donating to the Goodwill in your neighborhood,” said Sam Schmitz, President of Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois. “Not only does donating locally help put our friends and neighbors back to work, but nothing feels better than wrapping up the hectic holiday season by getting a fresh start on the new year.”