"So You Think You're Thrifty" contest returns to Southwest Florida

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. - July 24, 2013 - PRLog -- After a two-year hiatus,Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida’s popular contest, “So You Think You’re Thrifty,” is returning. For the next several weeks, Goodwill will search for Southwest Florida’s best bargain hunter.  The winner will receive prizes, including a $250 Visa gift card and tickets to Goodwill’s Tux & Trees Gala.  The winner also will appear in a future Goodwill advertisement or promotion.

“We haven’t done the contest for two years, but people still ask me about it to this day,” explains Goodwill Vice President of Communications Carolyn Johnson.  “We’re excited to be able to bring it back.”

Goodwill officials have made a few changes to the contest format to make it easier to enter.  In previous years, contestants were asked to audition at a Goodwill store in order to be eligible.  With the new web-based competition, entrants can upload a video with their contest submission.

“The in-person auditions were a hardship for folks who worked full-time or had other responsibilities and time constraints,” says Kirsten O’Donnell, Goodwill’s Director of Public Relations.  “By allowing people to enter online, we believe the contest will be more convenient to enter.”

Entries are currently being accepted, and contest hopefuls can submit through August 2.  Entrants must be an adult resident of Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Hendry, or Glades counties in order to be eligible.  More official rules, along with the contest entry form, can be viewed through Goodwill’s website (www.goodwillswfl.org/thrifty) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/goodwillswfl).

“In past years, we’ve had finalists from Naples up to Port Charlotte and from Sanibel across to Clewiston,” explains O’Donnell. “We’re excited to see who this year’s winner will be.”

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. operates 27 Retail and Donation Centers in Southwest Florida, in order to support its mission of helping people with disabilities and disadvantages overcome their barriers to employment and independence.  Programs include Job-Link centers, income-sensitive housing for people with disabilities and senior citizens, the Four Wheels for Work vehicle assistance program, and the L.I.F.E. Academy Charter School.

For more information about Goodwill’s programs and services, visit www.goodwillswfl.org.