Goodwill Employee to Throw First Pitch at Miracle Game

FORT MYERS, Fla. - July 8, 2014 - PRLog -- On Friday, June 11 employees from Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida will flock to Hammond Stadium (14400 Six Mile Cypress Parkway) for their annual Miracle baseball employee night out. For one Goodwill employee, however, it will be a particularly memorable night.

“This year, we were able to select a Goodwill employee to throw out the first pitch of the game,” says Goodwill spokesperson Madison Mitchell. “It’s a unique and fun experience so we were thrilled to give someone that opportunity.”

With over 900 employees, Goodwill staff selected the employee who had received the most ACEs for the first quarter of 2014. ACE (Amazing Customer Experience) notes are given by managers and peers when a co-worker has gone above and beyond.  Latu received 34 ACEs.

“I am so excited- my parents were surprised and very happy, too” says Latu. “I’m not nervous about throwing the first pitch out at all. I used to play little league in Cape Coral in the 90’s.”

After graduating from high school and working a few different places, Latu heard of Goodwill’s mission and thought working for the nonprofit would be a good fit.

“My hours were cut at the other jobs. It was my idea to go to Goodwill since I have a disability, I thought it would be good,” says Latu. “I like to help my team here and it is a good and friendly environment.”

The Miracle will face off against the Dunedin Blue Jays at 7:05 p.m.

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. is committed to serving people with disabilities and disadvantages by offering life-changing opportunities to achieve independence. Programs and services include job placement, youth mentoring and education, vehicle assistance, and disability-accessible housing. Goodwill supports these programs primarily through the resale of donated goods at its 30 Southwest Florida Retail & Donation Centers. For more information, visit www.goodwillswfl.org.

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