Goodwill Seeks End of Year Donations

Dec. 28, 2012 - PRLog -- As 2012 comes to a close, Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. is hoping people will be cleaning out their closets and homes and bringing in their gently-used items to their local Goodwill donation center.

“The week between Christmas and New Year’s is, traditionally, one of our busiest donation weeks of the season,” says Madison Mitchell, a spokesperson for Goodwill.  “People donate to make room for all of their new gifts, and because we’re a nonprofit, they know they can get a tax deduction if they donate before December 31.”

Goodwill provides job training, transportation assistance, housing, education, and more services for people with disabilities and other disadvantages.  The agency anticipates assisting as many as 30,000 individuals in 2012.  The majority of the funding for these programs comes from the resale of donated items.  

“In 2011, we assisted over 23,000 people,” continues Mitchell. “However, because of the support from our wonderful donors and shoppers, in 2012, we have been able to expand our programs and mission services. We’re now able to reach more people in areas we previously were not in.”

Goodwill partners with both Dell and Microsoft to safely accept computer donations.  Cars, boats, and recreational vehicles are accepted at Goodwill’s vehicle sales and donation center in Fort Myers (3333 Fowler Street, Fort Myers).

Because Goodwill is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, donations to Goodwill (both cash and non-cash) qualify for a federal income tax deduction.  However, donations must be made by 6:00 p.m., when stores close, on December 31, 2012 in order to be eligible for a 2012 income tax deduction..

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. serves Collier, Charlotte, Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties.  Programs include Goodwill’s L.I.F.E. Academy, a charter school for students with intellectual disabilities ages 11 through 22, Job-Link career training and placement services, and income-sensitive housing for people with disabilities and senior citizens.

To learn more about Goodwill’s programs and services or for a complete list of Goodwill’s Southwest Florida locations and store hours, visit www.goodwillswfl.org.