Goodwill Holds Annual Breakthrough Awards

May 20, 2013 - PRLog -- Three remarkable individuals and two outstanding businesses were honored Friday, May 10 at Goodwill’s Breakthrough Awards Luncheon. The annual event is a celebration of the nonprofit agency’s top achievers, and supporters in the community.  

About 260 people attended the luncheon, which was held at Harborside Event Center in downtown Fort Myers. Attendees included Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto, Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass, Commissioner Tammy Hall, and other leaders in Southwest Florida.

“It was so encouraging to see the support of our community leaders, donors, and business partners at the Breakthrough Awards,” says Goodwill Chief Operating Officer, Rick Evanchyk. “Through the accomplishments of our Breakthrough Award winners, they were able to see, first hand, what their support has meant to the people we serve. It was very moving and powerful.”

This year, Goodwill honored Daniel Rosenfeld as Breakthrough Graduate of the Year and Jean Edmond as Breakthrough Achiever, both for their personal achievements through Goodwill. The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, partners with Goodwill on its annual Festival of Trees, was recognized as Business of the Year while Darden Restaurant’s LongHorn Steakhouse was named Employer of the Year. Renee Ludwig was also recognized Volunteer of the Year.

There was also a preview of the future Goodwill Opportunity Center which will house Goodwill’s administrative offices, the Goodwill L.I.F.E. Academy charter school for students with developmental disabilities, an outlet store, a skills training center, and the organization’s retail and operations center. Goodwill expects to be in their new facility by the end of 2013.

“Last year, Goodwill assisted over 30,000 individuals overcome barriers to employment and independence,” explains Goodwill CEO, Tom Feurig. “The new facility will give us the opportunity to expand that number.”

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc.’s supported programs include Job-Link employment resource centers, the Four Wheels For Work vehicle assistance program, L.I.F.E. Academy, and the Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise program. For more information about Goodwill’s programs in Southwest Florida, please visit http://www.goodwillswfl.org.