Goodwill Prepares for Year-End Donation Rush

Dec. 20, 2010 - PRLog -- Charities nationwide are preparing for a rush of year-end donations, and Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida is no exception.  

“Donations pick up at the end of the year for a few different reasons,” says Kirsten O’Donnell, Goodwill’s Director of Public Relations.  “A lot of people donate to make room for new gifts.  Of course, the majority is because folks want to get the year-end tax writeoff.”

Because Goodwill (http://www.goodwillswfl.org) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, donations to Goodwill (both cash and non-cash) qualify for a federal income tax deduction.  Taxpayers able to itemize their 2010 taxes are able to claim their donation as a charitable contribution.  However, Donations must be made by December 31, 2010 in order to be eligible for a 2010 income tax deduction.

Goodwill stores will accept donations until 6:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

The agency’s 25 stores in Southwest Florida haves been preparing for the year-end donation rush by scheduling extra staff for the final two weeks of the year, as well as stocking up on necessities such as donation receipts.  The stores have also scheduled extra trucks to their usual routes to ensure that the storerooms do not overfill.

“People weren’t donating much early in the year, so we’re counting on year-end donations to get us back on track,” says Robert Randall, Vice President of Retail and Operations.  “The last two weeks of the year, our donation doors are usually about twice as busy as any other week, and that’s a trend we hope will continue.”

In addition to gently-used clothing, household items, and furniture, Goodwill also accepts donations of cars at its Auto Sales and Vehicle Donation Center in Fort Myers (3333 Fowler Street). The revenue earned from the re-sale of these items is used to help people with disabilities and other disadvantages.

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida (http://www.goodwillswfl.org) helps people with disabilities and other barriers to employment.  Goodwill’s programs and services include Job-Link centers, income-sensitive housing for people with disabilities and seniors citizens, the Four Wheels for Work vehicle assistance program, and a charter school for students with developmental disabilities, the Goodwill L.I.F.E. Academy.

To learn more about Goodwill’s programs and services, call (239) 995-2106, or for a complete list of Goodwill’s locations and hours, visit http://www.goodwillswfl.org.

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About Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc.
Goodwill operates 25 thrift stores in SW Florida to support its mission of removing barriers to independence. Programs include income-sensitive housing, career placement assistance, the L.I.F.E. Academy Charter School, Four Wheels for Work, and others.