October, 2018 | Goodwill Industries Suncoast

A Little Voodoo Magic

What do you do when you don’t know what to be for Halloween? If you’re like me, you go to Goodwill! I never fail to find inspiration — and fantastic savings — while I’m there!

Take this Halloween for example. My husband and I had decided what we thought we wanted to be: I would be Cleopatra and he would be Marc Anthony. But when we got to Goodwill, other ideas began to surface. It all began when he spotted a new voodoo priest hat. Yes, I said new! Did you know Goodwill has TONS of news items for sale, especially in their Planet Halloween section? Now you do! Insider tip: All Halloween new items are now ON SALE! Go HERE for more info.

That super cool hat inspired him to look for a dark suit to complete his voodoo priest outfit, and I went searching online for ideas. Which is where I got the idea to be a voodoo doll, sort of like this:

I went on the hunt for a simple dress that could be used as the basis for this voodoo doll look. Easy peasy. I quickly found a neutral t-shirt dress perfect for tearing up, and well under $10! I found a red donated children’s t-shirt to rip up for my heart and patches. Next, I went hunting for a little doll I could hold, and I could hardly believe it when I found the perfect one. Missing a leg, but that’s all part of the voodoo fun! This was my inspiration for my own doll to hold:

My husband, meanwhile, was using this scary dude as his inspiration:

He ended up finding a great sport coat and a sort of metallic shirt, along with lots of new accessories (from Goodwill!) to complete the look.

This is our final look, and I think WE NAILED IT! What do you think?

Goodwill-Suncoast2018-10-29T17:48:44-04:00October 29th, 2018|

Goodwill Staff to Act as Personal Shoppers for Hurricane Evacuees in Pasco Shelter

WHAT:
Dozens of displaced Hurricane Michael evacuees with special needs arrived at the Fasano Regional Hurricane Shelter with only the clothes on their backs. A team of Goodwill Industries-Suncoast employees will meet individually with people at the shelter on Friday to determine their clothing needs, and then purchase the requested items at Goodwill stores and deliver them to shelter residents. Each resident will be assigned a Goodwill team member who will purchase the supplies they need using Red Cross certificates funded by Goodwill.

WHY:
The people evacuated to the Fasano shelter have special needs and many have restricted mobility. It would be difficult for them to use Red Cross certificates to shop for needed items, so Goodwill team members, acting as personal shoppers, are bringing the needed supplies to them.

WHEN:
Friday Oct. 19, 2018
10 a.m. at Fasano Hurricane Shelter

WHERE:
Fasano Regional Hurricane Shelter
11611 Denton Ave.
Hudson, FL

Purchases will be made at the following Goodwill stores:
11462 SR 54, Trinity 34655
4750 Commercial Way, Spring Hill 34606

Goodwill Industries-Suncoast is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. The organization’s successful donated goods retail operation helps support its human services in 10 counties in West Central Florida including employment services, training and job placement for people with disabilities, a children’s literacy program, affordable apartment communities for seniors and people with disabilities, and community corrections programs. For more information, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.

Goodwill-Suncoast2018-10-18T11:36:49-04:00October 18th, 2018|

Public Invited to Ribbon Cutting for Goodwill Storefront at JA Finance Park

Prospective volunteers can see how students learn about personal finance

TAMPA, FLA. – The public is invited to a ribbon cutting for Goodwill’s storefront at the Junior Achievement Finance Park (JA Finance Park) on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 11 a.m.

The JA Finance Park, at 13707 N. 22^nd St. in Tampa, allows eighth-grade students to learn about personal finance through a simulation program. Each student receives a “life situation” with job, income, education and family scenarios. Based upon their adult personas, students visit Goodwill and other businesses in the finance park to gather information to use in making financial decisions. In the process they learn about managing a household budget, using banking services, and making purchasing and investment decisions.

Goodwill is seeking volunteers to assist students during their time in Goodwill’s storefront at the finance park. By attending the ribbon cutting, prospective volunteers can see the program in action. Volunteer opportunities are 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, and the time commitment is as little as six hours.

For information about volunteering at the JA Finance Park, contact Goodwill Volunteer Coordinator Addison Acker at Addison.acker@goodwill-suncoast.com or call 727-243-8009.

Goodwill Industries-Suncoast is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. The organization’s successful donated goods retail operation helps support its human services in 10 counties in West Central Florida including employment services, training and job placement for people with disabilities, a children’s literacy program, affordable apartment communities for seniors and people with disabilities, and community corrections programs. For more information, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.

Goodwill-Suncoast2018-10-24T14:19:27-04:00October 15th, 2018|

Goodwill Helps Those Affected by Hurricane Michael

In response to Hurricane Michael and the overwhelming generosity of people who want to help, Florida Goodwills have established a response plan to bring much needed support and aid to the communities that have been directly and critically affected by Hurricane Michael.

In order to help streamline the anticipated donations of clothing, shoes and household goods, the Red Cross has partnered with Goodwill Industries to accept and manage donated goods. People who would like to donate items can visit any Goodwill store or donation center throughout Florida and designate their donation to Hurricane Michael relief efforts. The Goodwills will process the donations earmarked for Hurricane Michael and provide material goods and/or funding to those affected by Hurricane Michael in the affected areas. In some cases, storm victims will receive vouchers that they can redeem for selected items in Goodwill locations throughout Florida.

While Goodwill can accept almost anything, for this effort we are focusing on clothing, shoes, towels, linens and other household goods. For Goodwill donation locations, visit www.goodwill.org/donate-and-shop/donate-stuff. If people would like to make monetary donations to Hurricane Michael relief efforts, please visit www.redcross.org.

“We are grateful to our donors and shoppers who want to help people whose lives were devastated by this storm. This partnership between Goodwill and the Red Cross ensures that donations will do the most good for survivors of Hurricane Michael,” said Goodwill Industries-Suncoast President and CEO Deborah A. Passerini.

About the Florida Goodwill Association:

The Florida Goodwill Association is comprised of nine autonomous Goodwill Organizations, each serving the people of a multi-county region. These organizations share a common mission: To help Floridians overcome barriers to employment and become self-sufficient. We provide employment, job training, and other community-based programs. At Goodwill, we believe that work creates the economic energy that builds strong families and vibrant communities. Work builds self-confidence, relationships, and independence. Goodwill provides that chance. There are 225 Goodwill retail stores across the state of Florida with more than 10,000 employees.

Goodwill-Suncoast2018-10-18T08:58:06-04:00October 15th, 2018|

Baby Showers & Sweet Savings

It’s been one of those years again where everyone around me is having babies and it seems like it’s all happening at once! I had THREE invites on one day a few weeks ago and had to pick which baby to shower. My Goodwill outfit just happened to coordinate perfectly!

Old Navy t shirt from Goodwill: $4

Pencil skirt from Goodwill: $6

Generic brand wedges from Goodwill: <$8? I’ve had these for a while.

Hubby is unusually not sporting anything from Goodwill this time. I assure you, that doesn’t mean we paid full price for anything!

Other than baby showers, we’ve been not doing much *fun* stuff lately. So my fun stuff has been pairing fun new things in my closet!

Liz Claiborne tee from Goodwill: $5

LuLaRoe skirt from Goodwill: $6

Aldo banana heels from Goodwill: $7

Looking sharp for under $20: PRICELESS!

(Also, bathroom photo because I haven’t been caught yet.)

Casual Friday!!! I was excited to wear these new capris I snagged a few weeks ago. I hate to report that they’re that fun material that fits wonderfully at the beginning of the day and much like a diaper at the end. I prefer things with a bit of stretch to them so they retain their shape. Another Old Navy tee in a similar color to the baby shower shirt and my studded Vince Camuto heels! Another entire outfit from Goodwill for less than $20!

Where do you buy most of your work clothes? Hopefully your answer is Goodwill! Happy Hunting!

Goodwill-Suncoast2018-10-01T14:41:30-04:00October 1st, 2018|