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Horizon Goodwill Industries

Craig Foster

December 2022 Newsletter

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Welcome to the Horizon Goodwill Industries company newsletter.

Our Mission is: Removing Barriers, Creating Opportunities.

December 2022                                                                                                             Vol. 1, Edition 6

Happy Holidays!

For those of you that may not know, here at Horizon Goodwill, we operate on a calendar year budget and planning calendar. That means that each year as we enter December, we are already looking ahead with excitement at our plans and objectives for the next year. These are certainly the goals that keep us excited and returning each day. Regardless of our enthusiasm for the future, the end of the current year also reminds us to reflect on all that we accomplished this year and the positive impact that each of us, no matter our job or responsibilities, has had on the people around us and in our communities. As an organization, we strive to give back more than we receive, and that certainly aligns with the spirit of the season. I hope as the year winds down, you will take a moment to reflect and celebrate the service and compassion that each of you has given this year while also recognizing what a long way we still have to go in many of our communities.

In that spirit, I leave you with this quote from William Carey Jones, a former US Congressman: “The Joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others’ burdens, easing each other’s loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of the holidays.”

Wishing each of you the best as we finish 2022 and look forward with hope to 2023.

Yours in hope, Dave

The Passing of a Long-Time Employee and Client: Byyan Boddie (9/7/1968 – 12/1/2022)

Photo of Byyan BoddieByyan lived at Council for Exceptional Children and Adults in their residential program from 2003 until his passing. He entered Horizon Goodwill Industries Supported Employment Program from 1990 until 2021. Byyan’s employment included dishwashing and custodial work at a local restaurant and various contracts with Goodwill Industries, and he worked as a dishwasher for Marriot Corporation at FSU for over ten years. Byyan was active in his community through a variety of volunteer work in his community, including Western Maryland Food Bank, recycling projects, the local Animal Shelter, nursing homes, and cleaning up trails at Rocky Gap State Park. Byyan loved staying active and held a special place in his heart for his friends, caregivers at Goodwill and CECA, and his mother, Joyce Harper.

He thoroughly enjoyed dancing, playing the air guitar, bowling, listening to his favorite music, early rock and 80’s, karaoke, holiday parties, and the tv show Chips with Jon Baker and Frank “Ponch” Poncherello. One of Byyan’s biggest moments was meeting Erik Estrada from Chips. In 2018 Byyan received the Chuck Robinette Spirit of Goodwill award. This award honors an individual with disabilities who shows great progress and accomplishments in independent functioning and participation within their community. Byyan’s exceptionally hard work and perseverance certainly displayed a true Goodwill “spirit” in overcoming barriers.

Byyan had an infectious laugh and the best smile. He brightened everyone’s day when he walked into the room. He took such great pride in his appearance and always wanted to look and do his best. Byyan was a role model to others and was never afraid to take the lead on projects and show off his talents, which he had so many. Everyone was Byyan’s “buddy,” he had so many, and he cherished each one of them.

We mourn the loss of Byyan, but we will never forget the fond memories. Byyan, you can rest easy knowing you touched so many lives and made this world a better place for all of us. Always in our hearts. We love you and will truly miss you!

YOU are making a difference in the lives of many people. Here is your impact through October 2022: Impact through October 2022

Blended title of retail and operations

Recent Leadership and Staff Changes: 

Chris Kackley has accepted the role of Director of Property and Facilities. In this new position, Chris will utilize his extensive background in construction management to develop a stronger real estate strategy and oversee all HGI real estate (owned and leased, residential and commercial), facility maintenance, and safety/asset protection. Chris will report to Sharon Ahrens, Chief Business Officer.

Lance Crossman has accepted the role of Director of Retail. In this role, he will be responsible for oversight of all activity in our donated goods enterprise, including stores, donation centers, e-commerce, transportation, and warehouses/recycling/aftermarket. Lance will report to David Shuster, CEO.

Lance and Chris are working closely together to transition responsibilities and projects between them. I expect there will be additional communication once their work is complete to clarify who to contact for various needs in the future.

Additionally, Angie Engle has transferred to the new role of Associate Director of Donation Acquisition on the Donated Goods Retail team. In her new role, she will be responsible for expanding the acquisition of our donated goods by supporting existing streams and developing new strategies and partnerships.

Congratulations all!

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Website ‘Refresh’ is Live!

Over the summer, the marketing department took on the project of refreshing the current website. Some of the goals of the project were to:

  • Reorganizing the structure to make it more user friendly
  • Making the site easier to expand as we bring on new projects (check out the convenience stores, grocery store, and health hub pages.)
  • Reviewing the content for accuracy and grammar. We’ve also assigned people to oversee the content, so changes are made quickly.
  • Adding new features and capabilities. Some new features include a better locations page, adding videos, and expanding featured new items.

When you get a chance, go to www.horizongoodwill.org and check it out!

Snapshot of the refreshed website

‘Tis the Season – Open Enrollment is upon us, and as we all prepare for the end of the year with Well Wishes for the next new year…there is much to do!

  • Don’t forget to attend an open enrollment meeting if you are eligible for benefits.
  • Seek ways to handle holiday stress – find time for activities you enjoy that bring you comfort and joy.
  • Make sure your contact information (especially your address!) is correct in Paycom for year-end documents.
  • Join the festivities of decorating workspaces and wearing your most creative “ugly” sweater!

The Human Resources Department would like to wish all employees a wonderful holiday season. As a reminder, Resource Coordinators are here to help you navigate any challenges you may be experiencing. BHS, our EAP (Employee Assistance Program) provider, has many articles, tips, and strategies to help maintain a healthy mind, body, and spirit all year round.

As a reminder, utilize “Ask Here” in Paycom ESS (Employee Self-Service) to connect you to a Resource Coordinator. Access our EAP (Employee Assistance Program) on the BHS Portal online or via the app at portal.BHSonline.com Username: Horizon Goodwill or call 800-327-2251.

Joyfully, Human Resources @ HGI

November’s Living Our Values Award was presented for our “COMPASSION” value. Employees across the HGI organization nominated individuals that they believed embodied this value day in and day out. The employees nominated demonstrate caring and act with kindness with a desire to understand others. They strive to be inclusive while recognizing our differences. They act with the best intent and assume others are doing the same.

Winner: Terri Foote – Associate Director of Workforce Development/Cumberland, MD

Photo of Terri FooteWe received 63 responses for our Living Our Values – Compassion – Award. Terri was nominated multiple times and has received nominations for other Living Our Values awards in the past few months. Comments for Terri include “Terri takes whatever steps are necessary to ease the suffering of any individual within her reach,” “Terri continuously looks for ways that her team and Goodwill can help others in the community,” and “Terri shows a great deal of compassion for the people in the Cumberland Community.”

Other top nominees included: Filomena Doyle – Project Manager/IRS; Melissa Harris – Warehouse Supervisor/UPIP; and Tonia Nipper – Housing Navigator/HGI-2.

Be sure to make your nominations in December for the Team Spirit Award – This award is given to any “team” that demonstrates qualities of teamwork and loyalty to Horizon Goodwill Industries. The team must demonstrate support for each other and have confidence in the abilities and intentions of each team member. They are successful in working together towards a common goal.

Submit your nominations via Paycom Survey!

Milestones & New Hires

Congratulations to the following people for reaching a great milestone, and a big ‘Welcome’ to our newest team members as they begin their journey to their milestones!

Anniversaries New Employees
Richard Pape Oakland Donated Goods Retail 1 Yr Aaron Monroe Winchester Donated Goods Retail
Amanda Sellers Corporate Center Donated Goods Retail 1 Yr Annette Wetzel Corporate Center Administrative Services
Employee Tester Corporate Center Administrative Services 1 Yr Billie Wiltrout HGI-2 Business Services
Cody Muir SHA Lavale Business Services 1 Yr Bobbi Danner Charles Town Donated Goods Retail
Ornela Shehi Charles Town Donated Goods Retail 1 Yr Carolyn Kriglein Keyser Donated Goods Retail
Katherine Johnston Oakland Donated Goods Retail 1 Yr Collis Walton HGI-2 Business Services
Neda Yazdzad Stephens City Donated Goods Retail 2 Yrs Debra Gaskins Greencastle Donated Goods Retail
Tammy Saylor Martinsburg GSA Business Services 3 Yrs Delores Collins Romney Donated Goods Retail
Terrence Williams Fort Detrick Business Services 3 Yrs Elaina Foley-Marple Romney Donated Goods Retail
Maria Acosta-Parada Fort Detrick Business Services 4 Yrs Heather Watson Charles Town Donated Goods Retail
Thomas Davis Cumberland UPIP Business Services 4 Yrs Judy Abell Front Royal Donated Goods Retail
Janice Smith Corporate Center Donated Goods Retail 4 Yrs Kelly Campbell Shepherdstown Donated Goods Retail
Daniel Huff Cumberland UPIP Donated Goods Retail 4 Yrs Mary Engle Shepherdstown Donated Goods Retail
Tara Broschart Winchester Mission Services 5 Yrs Miranda Truett Greencastle Donated Goods Retail
Katie Acton Cumberland UPIP Business Services 5 Yrs Rachael Hamilton LaVale Donated Goods Retail
Tamara Elrick Corporate Center Administrative Services 6 Yrs Steven Munson Sideling Hill Business Services
Lori Martinez Corporate Center Administrative Services 6 Yrs Tammy Benson Mt. Jackson Donated Goods Retail
Tammy Rothgeb-Dawson HGI-2 Business Services 7 Yrs Teresa Mazzeo Greencastle Donated Goods Retail
James Braxton Fort Detrick Business Services 8 Yrs Teresa Mendoza Corporate Center Administrative Services
Richard Osborne Fort Detrick Business Services 8 Yrs Tina Jackman Front Royal Donated Goods Retail
David Shuster Corporate Center Executive 9 Yrs Tracy Alger Front Royal Donated Goods Retail
Jennifer Palmer CW Brooks C-Store Donated Goods Retail 10 Yrs
Karen Bane Front Royal Donated Goods Retail 11 Yrs

Upcoming Events

  • Dec. 9: Christmas w/Santa at the Hagerstown Police Department (6 PM – 8 PM) 50 N. Burhans Blvd., Hagerstown, MD.
  • Dec. 25: CHRISTMAS DAY
  • The Adolescent Clubhouse Wednesday Night Movie (4 PM – 6 PM) at the new Clubhouse location at 200 N. Prospect St., Hagerstown, MD.

Thank you for reading the Horizon Goodwill Industries newsletter. If you have any exciting news or story suggestions, please get in touch with us at marketing@goodwill-hgi.org.

Rhonda: Don’t Give up; Keep Going No Matter What

by Christopher Six, Media Marketing Assistant

For Rhonda Eastman, the decision to come to Maryland was a calling — to be in a place where she could help people — and while that journey has had its trials, she knows she is better prepared to make a difference in people’s lives.

“I felt like the Lord wanted me to come here. I was watching some programs, and they were talking about Maryland, and a few weeks later, He told me that he was going to move me to Maryland,” Eastman explains. “I picked Hagerstown because it was a smaller town. I’m actually called to be a pastor. So I gave everything away and only brought a suitcase and two bags.”

Rhonda retired from her job of nine years at McDonald’s’ to prepare for the move. But moving from Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri, to her new home in Maryland was not without its challenges.

“I really felt like the Lord sent me here, but later on, I was running out of funds to stay in the motel,” she said.

So, she turned to something she knew – Mcdonald’s.

“If you don’t have funds, you have nowhere to go. I had to camp at work … I had to wait until we got paid, so off and on, I would be on the street,” she explains. “You almost have to go behind buildings just to stay warm.”

Despite her best efforts, Rhonda found she couldn’t save enough money to get steady housing and knew she needed help.

Rhonda had applied and interviewed with Goodwill at a Job Fair in March. She also met with Housing Navigation. Having already stayed at the Salvation Army and could not go back for six months. Options were discussed with Goodwill’s Director of Workforce/Human Services, Adam Sewell, who was able to put her in the Dagmar Hotel for a night.

Horizon Goodwill representatives explored several temporary housing options to no avail. Finally, they apprised The Salvation Army of the situation, and Rhonda was granted a week’s stay until Goodwill could get a room ready. Within a day, Horizon Goodwill had a room at the shelter available and ready for Rhonda.

At the same time, a friend was helping her navigate the housing authority.

“As soon as I got to the Dagmar Hotel, I heard from them that I was on top of the list, and three months later, I got my apartment,” she said.

As part of the Goodwill Shelter Program, Rhonda started working for Goodwill at the corporate location in the north-end warehouse before moving to the Burhans Boulevard location. Now she’s at the brand-new North Pointe store in Hagerstown.

“That was awesome!” she said of the ribbon-cutting event held for the new store on July 14.

And does she enjoy her work? “Oh yeah, I love it!” she enthusiastically answers.

While there were times she admits she wanted to give up, Rhonda sees her journey as training – preparing her for her opportunity to help others in the future.

“It’s just part of my sacrifice. I’ve always wanted to help people on the street. And He taught me through this experience to help people more. My dream was to have my own mission,” she explains. “So, I feel like coming here and going through this experience, it was also a learning experience to get me ready to help other people that need help.”

“I felt like this was part of my ministry to help people and to evangelize the best way I know how,” she continues. “I don’t know where I will be, but I think I will have my own mission and have that recreation room where we come in for fellowship, and the ones that don’t know the Lord will come to the Lord and just love him – because a lot of those people don’t have love.”

Rhonda wants others to see her story as a source of encouragement.

“Don’t give up. There were times that I wanted to give up, and the Lord told me, don’t give up; keep going no matter what. And that’s what I did,” she said. “I really encourage them to do the same thing. It’s hard, but they will make it no matter what.”

July 2022 Newsletter

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Horizon Goodwill Industries company newsletter. Our goal with this publication is to make sure that you know as much as possible about our activities and programs. The information shared in this newsletter, and the following monthly editions, will highlight areas of our organization that you may not know about, new programs that you may not have heard about, or could provide more detail on items that you have heard of. I hope that through this newsletter, each of you will have a greater understanding of how the work that YOU do allows Horizon Goodwill to improve our communities. Please be sure to contribute your ideas for the name of the newsletter! Yours in hope, Dave

We are in need of a name for this newsletter. Something that could possibly use the word “Horizon” in a  creative, meaningful way. It could be something about the mission. Anything that you’d like to suggest. The winning name will be selected by a committee of judges and the winner will receive a $50 gift certificate. You can enter up to three suggestions. Click the banner or go to the Survey Link.

At some point in your employment with Horizon Goodwill Industries, I bet you have heard that your work supports our Mission and maybe you have wondered what that means. Horizon Goodwill Industries’ primary Mission is to Remove Barriers and Create Opportunities for employment for individuals that are un/under-employed. We achieve our mission by offering a variety of programs ranging from on-the-job training and education to housing and young adult services. Each of these programs is designed to meet people where they are on their journey to sustainable employment.

Because of the work that each of you does, revenue from store production/sales, commercial contracts, operations, and round-up are combined with grant monies to fully fund our mission services programs allowing us to serve our communities for free. To date in 2022, seventy (70) individuals served have gained employment and an additional thirty-four (34) have been hired here at HGI! That’s a total of 104 people who have gained employment so far this year thanks to the work that YOU do!

The Business Services division provides a variety of contracted services to other businesses across our territory. They provide everything from Commercial Cleaning, Mailroom Services, Administrative Services, Total Facility Management, Temporary Labor, Assembly and Kitting, Reverse Logistics, Supply Chain Solutions, Warehousing, Order Fulfillment, and Groundskeeping. In 2021, this division employed 215 people in 58 contract locations. Combined, those employees have worked 224,653 hours, and earned $3.4 million in wages, for total annual revenue of $9.0 million.

Some of the services we provide are for the US Army at Fort Detrick (Frederick, MD), the National Park Service (Canal Place and Harpers Ferry), MD MVA centers in Cumberland and Hagerstown, the Sideling Hill and Youghiogheny Rest Areas in MD, Hagerstown DLLR, six MD State Highway Administration Areas, the WV Dept of Health And Human Services in Charles Town, WV, the I-81 Truck Stop in WV, and the MD Department Of Juvenile Services at Victor Cullen, Backbone, Green Ridge, and Savage Mountain.

Ask the person on the street what “Goodwill” does, and they will probably say “they have ‘the stores’. While there is much more to Horizon Goodwill Industries, store sales are a major source of revenue to support our programs. In Retail, HGI has 301 employees across 19 stores. There are 188 full-time and 113 part-time employees. In 2021, there were almost 900,000 transactions over those 19 stores and over $6 million in wages and benefits paid to employees and participants.

After the Covid-19 pandemic started, the Outlet store was closed due to social distancing concerns. The Burhans Blvd store in Hagerstown was converted to a .99 cent store to help make up for the lack of an outlet location and to help the downtown area recover from the pandemic with value-priced items. In the end, the .99 cent model wasn’t successful and it was closed at the end of May 2022. The great news is that there is a new store opening on July 14, 2022, in the North Pointe Shopping Center in Hagerstown – so we still have 19 stores!

Do you know that Horizon Goodwill Industries sells some donated items online on a site similar to eBay? The URL for the site is www.shopgoodwill.com. If you want to see just the HGI items, click on www.shopgoodwill.com/hgi. The HGI e-comm team is at the Corporate Center in Hagerstown. The e-commerce department receives items from the retail stores and donation centers, and the team researches, photographs, and lists the items for sale. When an item is purchased, the team packs and ships it to the customer. In May 2021, the team listed 3992 items and shipped 2461 items that were sold. If you’re ever at the Corporate office, you should ask to take a tour of that area and learn more about this unique part of our organization.

Donations are what keep our stores in business. The Attended Donation Centers (ADCs), the processing centers in each of the stores, plus the donation bins throughout our territory are crucial to keeping products on the store shelves. In 2021, 14,374,376 (yes, 14 million) lbs. of donations generated $14,060,834 in sales to support HGI and Mission programs. These generous donations enabled us in 2021 to provide:

  • Young Adult Services: 153 individuals served, 72 sheltered, and 19 permanently housed
  • Adult Housing Services: 169 individuals served, 63 sheltered, 20 permanently housed
  • Employment Services: 152 individuals served, 65,480 hours worked, $872,378 in wages earned

There are 3 ADCs currently open (Corporate, Boonsboro, and College Road) and the new ADC in Strasburg, VA, will be open soon.

The Human Resource Department fosters a welcoming, supportive, and positive environment for HGI’s most valuable asset, our employees!

With a workforce of nearly 600 individuals in permanent and temporary employment, the Human Resources department works to ensure everyone is successful in their own career path. This involves developing and administering programs that are designed to increase the effectiveness of our organization’s mission. We ensure employees are nurtured and supported through policies and procedures by fostering a positive work environment and a diverse workplace culture.

Our department also offers Resource Coordinators. Resource Coordinators are available to assist employees who are experiencing barriers that affect their day-to-day responsibilities and life activities. This support can connect you to resources with quality programs for basic needs, mental health, and career development.

Whether you are a first-time job seeker, returning to the workplace, looking for supplemental income, or want to train in a new skill, there are opportunities for you! View our current openings and apply online at www.horizongoodwill.org/careers.

Each month, individuals, work locations, careers, or other topics will be put ‘In the Spotlight’. Take a look at these stories and learn more about the various areas in which we are serving the community.

The Horizon Corner Market

Also known as the CW Brooks Convenience Store, Horizon Goodwill Industries has ventured into making food and drink available and affordable to people in areas that do not have easy access to this critical resource. The CW Brooks building is in downtown Hagerstown and is operated by the Hagerstown Housing Authority. HGI operates a small convenience store on the first floor that offers Groceries, Milk, Eggs, Snack Foods, Soft Drinks, Toiletries, and Medicines to the residents and surrounding community. While there are other convenience stores nearby, our pricing is kept as low as possible, so these items are affordable. Recently, delivery service was added as an option for those who request assistance getting their purchases home.

Milestones & New Hires

Congratulations to the following people for reaching a great milestone and welcome to our newest team members as they begin their journey to their milestones!

Milestones   June New Hires
Amy Taylor – Hagerstown 21 Yrs.
Tammy Mcbrearty – Martinsburg GSA 17 Yrs.
David Kinnamont – Fort Detrick 14 Yrs.
Pamela Simms – Romney 12 Yrs.
Alison Lady – Hagerstown 11 Yrs.
Beverly Fincham – Romney 10 Yrs.
Karen Smith – Charles Town 9 Yrs.
Rickey Agnew – Romney 8 Yrs.
Lawrence Woodward – Martinsburg 7 Yrs.
Donald Trumpower Jr – Cumberland 6 Yrs.
Tonya Zimmerman – Corporate Center 6 Yrs.
Frances Reese – Burhans Store 4 Yrs.
Viola Fee – Romney 4 Yrs.
Troy Brant – Cumberland 3 Yrs.
David Crebbs – Greencastle 2 Yrs.
Grace Canzurlo – Woodstock 2 Yrs.
Christopher Douglas – Berkeley Springs 1 Yr.
Cynthia Lang – Stephens City 1 Yr.
Dustin Liller – Cumberland 1 Yr.
Edward Crushong – SHA Keyers Ridge 1 Yr.
Fern Bernsteinmiller – Shepherdstown 1 Yr.
Ivan Morales – Hagerstown 1 Yr.
Jenise Powell – Hagerstown 1 Yr.
Karen Frisby – Hagerstown 1 Yr.
Luan Graham – Hagerstown 1 Yr.
Margaret Skaggs – IRS Mailroom 1 Yr.
Pamela Bunn – Waynesboro 1 Yr.
Roy Swim – Hagerstown 1 Yr.
Terry Porter – Hagerstown 1 Yr.		 Dwayne Watts – Hagerstown
Elena Caterina Della Mea – Hagerstown
Bracken Weissler  – LaVale
Melissa Renner  – IRS Mailroom
Jaiden Skidmore  – LaVale
Katherine Harnish  – Sideling Hill
Stephanie Childs  – Martinsburg
Max Marny  – Winchester
Whitney Markley  – Woodstock
Seth Lewis  – LaVale
Michelle Mason  – Winchester
Dianne Sangiovanni  – Cumberland
Colton Rogers  – Greencastle
Hannah Ruffner  – Greencastle
Justice Naugle  – Waynesboro
Lynell Marple  – Winchester
Lynn French  – Hagerstown
Andrew Choi  – Stephens City
Alastor Fogle  – Greencastle
Julie Henry  – Oakland
Ty Dipatre  – Front Royal
Helene Ranfone  – Burhans Store
Melissa Ritter  – Stephens City
Richard Droege  – Front Royal
Lyric Washington  – LaVale
Trinity Myers  – Greencastle
Kyra Smith  – Charles Town
Linda Weeks  – Stephens City
Haley Wheelbarger  – Mount Jackson
Connie Orebaugh  – Winchester
Sean Starry  – Greencastle
Lisa Miller  – Mount Jackson

Upcoming Events

  • On July 6th, the new Attended Donation Center in Strasburg, VA, will be opened. The grand opening and ribbon cutting will take place at a later date.
  • July 4th, HGI will have a truck at the Mile Long Yard Sale in Hagerstown. This 3-day event is held every year and HGI has been participating for many years. We are there to take any items that did not sell at the yard sale tables and take them to the warehouse in Hagerstown for processing.  In 2021 the team collected nearly 2500 lbs of donations!
  • July 14th, the North Pointe Store will open. The ribbon-cutting will be held at 10 AM.
  • There are two upcoming Cut|Cloth|Work events coming up in July and August. For the Cut|Cloth|Work events, a local barber provides free haircuts (CUT), Horizon Goodwill provides clothes for the interviews (CLOTH), and local companies will be doing on-the-spot interviews (WORK).
    • The HGI2 Mission Office is holding theirs on July 18th from 11 am-3 pm at the Martinsburg Community Knights Of Columbus, 108 W Stephen St, Martinsburg, WV.
    • The UPIP (Upper Potomac Industrial Park) Mission Office in Cumberland is holding theirs on August 25th from 9 am -1 pm at the Allegany County DSS, 1 Frederick Street, Cumberland, MD.

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for reading the Horizon Goodwill Industries newsletter. If you have any exciting news or story suggestions, please contact us at marketing@goodwill-hgi.org

 

 

 

 

Horizon Goodwill & the Education Foundation of Washington County Public Schools Conclude Spring Donation Drive

(Hagerstown, Maryland, June 2022) During the spring, Horizon Goodwill Industries partnered with the Ed Foundation of Washington County Public Schools (EF/WCPS), and Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) to engage the community in a donation drive to raise funds for the Education Foundation.

The “Spring into Education Clothing Drive” resulted in the collection of 9,166 pounds of donations. Each of the 50 schools in Washington County (including the Center for Education Services – CES) participated. Horizon Goodwill provided Donation bins to all the schools, and then the students, parents, teachers, and administrators were challenged to fill them. Many schools had to have additional bins delivered due to the high volume of participation.

At the close of the collection period, the three schools that collected the most were Old Forge Elementary, Hancock Middle-Senior High School, and Clear Spring High School. Each of those schools was awarded the Goodwill Cup. It should be noted that Old Forge Elementary was the overall winner with 684 pounds collected.

Through this effort, Horizon Goodwill generated over $5,240 for the Education Foundation of WCPS. Sheila Evers, Executive Director of the foundation said “We cannot thank Horizon Goodwill enough for their collaborative sprint and the outreach to support education in Washington County. This was a colossal effort with over 50 schools participating. Thank you for all your hard work and support of WCPS students. We can’t wait to see what schools will win next year’s Goodwill Cup!”  Horizon Goodwill President/CEO David Shuster added “We are honored to have the opportunity to partner with our public school system and community on this initiative to raise funds that will support programs leading to improved educational outcomes for students of WCPS.”

The Education Foundation of Washington County Public Schools (EF/WCPS), Washington County Public Schools (WCPS), and Horizon Goodwill Industries would like to thank everyone who supported this collection by making donations.

Filed Under: News

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About Horizon Goodwill: Horizon Goodwill Industries (HGI) is a future-focused nonprofit workforce development organization headquartered in Hagerstown, MD, responsible for serving communities in 17 counties across MD, PA, WV, and VA. Operating numerous social enterprises and human services programs, HGI helps thousands of individuals each year pursue economic mobility through its mission of removing barriers to social mobility for meaningful and sustainable employment. Through this work, Goodwill is committed to advancing equitable opportunities for employment and environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Learn more at www.horizongoodwill.org. For media inquiries, contact Craig Foster, Marketing and Public Relations Manager, at 301-733-7330 x1630 or cfoster@goodwill-hgi.org

About the Education Foundation of WCPS: The Education Foundation of WCPS was incorporated in 2009 as the “WCPS Education Foundation” to respond to the local need for increased community involvement and support for public education. The foundation’s Board of Directors is comprised of parents, business and civic leaders as well as WCPS staff. Each year the Education Foundation awards thousands of dollars in Innovative Grants to WCPS educators. The Education Foundation of WCPS Financial Literacy and Super Reader programs support established classroom curricula. For more information visit www.educationfoundationofwcps.org. For media inquiries contact Sheila Evers, Executive Director at 301-766-2925 or visit execdirector@educationfoundationofwcps.org

Why Sustainable Shopping Should Include Repairs

I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means for something to be “new.” The most frequent way we hear about it in terms of clothing is something that’s ‘new with tags.’ What I’ve learned from my years of thrifting, is that you can find things still new with tags at secondhand stores like Goodwill. That’s how I stumbled upon a full seasonal collection of Rachel Zoe’s ready-to-wear collection and a new with tags Prada blouse. Even if these items didn’t have the original tags on them, you can easily tell how new, or worn, pieces of clothing are by taking a close look at them in the store. In today’s Instagram culture where you likely wouldn’t want to be photographed in the same outfit twice, it’s not surprising that the majority of the items I’ve brought home from Goodwill look pretty much brand new. For items that are great quality but might need a little bit of repair, it’s still worth it to take them home and break out my sewing kit than buying them from a department store – they may have been worn before, but they’re still new to me and my closet!

‘New’ in the sense of fast fashion, is a luxury of days past. It’s almost impossible for someone to say they care about the environment today while touting plastic shopping bags from fast fashion stores, full of clothing made cheaply that won’t last more than a few wears whose wasteful production processes do so much damage to the Earth. The fast fashion industry sends more than 13 million tons of waste sent to landfills each year, increasing carbon emissions and pollution on a global scale.

That’s why I’m willing to take some extra steps to shop smarter and more consciously. That might mean buying a pair of Joe’s Jeans from Goodwill with a small hole by the hem that I know I can patch up, instead of buying the same pair, same size off the rack at Bloomingdale’s full price. It also meant taking home this adorable Lovers & Friends square neck top which I know I’ll use for bachelorette activities, even though the bottom button was a little bit loose. With my handy little sewing kit, I was able to repair that and tighten up the other buttons in under ten minutes.

When I shop at Goodwill, I’m supporting my community at the local scale, knowing the full amount of my purchase is used for jobs and training. I also know I’m supporting our larger community; with each secondhand purchase, I make being a choice in solidarity with the hope for a healthier planet. This Earth Week, think about small changes you can make to live a more sustainable life. With Goodwill, I’ve found my own changes turn into fun shopping days that support brighter days and a brighter closet.

by Felicia Czochanski

5 Habits You Can “Green” This Earth Week

Just about everyone I know is, in some way, striving to become more eco-conscious (yay!). But at times the whole process can seem overwhelming. Don’t let yourself feel too bogged down; even small changes can make big progress. If we can each adjust our habits little by little, over time we can positively impact the planet in a major way without feeling overwhelmed. In case you need a little inspiration this Earth Week, below are seven small habits you could work on. Try adding one to your routine each day and imagine the difference you will have made by Earth Week next year!

1. Reusable Straws. Do you get drinks on the go? Disposable plastic straws may seem tiny and insignificant, but if you treat yourself to a slurpable drink once a week, that’s 52 straws per year that you’re contributing to landfills. And since plastic doesn’t decompose like paper, though you only used each of those straws one time, they may take up space on our planet for hundreds of years (or more)! Even worse, as they do eventually break down, they can have toxic effects on wildlife and the planet.

But if that Monday morning iced coffees or Friday afternoon smoothies feel like they’re the only things that get you through the week, don’t break your habit—adjust it! You can have your cake—errr, drink—and enjoy it, too! “Green” your habit by consuming less plastic. Bring a reusable cup and reusable or biodegradable straws. This travel cup and straw set that I found at Goodwill comes with two bath bombs! Not sure what the connection between those two things is, but I can assure you that I’ll enjoy both parts of this $2 buy!

I also saw this darling little sectioned basket while I was thrifting this weekend. If you need a reminder to grab a straw on your way out the door, try popping this on the kitchen counter in plain sight and create a cute display with colorful paper straws or stainless steel ones. If they’re right out in the open, you’re more likely to make it a habit to grab one on your way out the door!s

2. Add air-cleaning greenery to your home. Does your weekly routine include watering plants? Certain plants can help to remove toxic chemicals and pollutants from airspace contributing to cleaner indoor air. Once you’re in the habit of caring for spider plants, snake plants, peace lilies, or whichever air-cleaning plant you choose, you’ll be able to breathe a little easier and take your green thumb outdoors!

Since one of the main functions of plants is consuming carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, the more plants you can introduce to your environment (inside or out), the better it is for your health and the health of our planet! Try to get at least two plants per 100 square feet inside your home or office. Instead of buying new plastic planters, scope out the options at Goodwill that have already lived one life. I found this adorable trio of ceramic dinosaurs just waiting to be filled with some soil and succulents. But don’t limit yourself to real planters! What second-hand items catch your eye that can be repurposed to pot plants?

3. Start a compost. Instead of tossing your biodegradable scraps in the trash, look for a compost pail at Goodwill to start making your own healthy soil! If you have yard space, create a compost pile outside to build rich dirt from your waste material. Not only will this decrease the amount of trash you send to the landfills, it will also minimize your output of methane (a greenhouse gas that has increased substantially due to human activity and is contributing to climate change). Even if you live in a city and don’t have space outside, you can still enrich the Earth with the right foundation for new plant growth. Just look into compost pick-up or drop-off options in your area. Many cities have them these days!

4. Make an Earth-friendly utensil travel set from thrifted fabric and silverware. Get in the habit of carrying it around so you’ll never need to grab plastic silverware when you’re eating on the go! Hey, you could even add your Earth-friendly straw!

5. Stop buying your regular dish tabs. We’re creatures of habit and once we find a certain product we like, we tend to stick with it. The problem is that products like dish tabs usually come in plastic bags and can sometimes include freaky chemicals. But you still need to wash your dishes, right? So how about making your own dish tabs with more natural ingredients? Crank out large batches of these babies and stash them in a cute countertop jar you find at Goodwill.

6. Don’t reach for the heat when you’re cold! Instead of cranking the thermostat up when you’re cold, throw on an extra layer. Just remember that not all layers are created equal; look for wool socks and sweaters or down vests. These natural fibers are seasonal staples that have been keeping people warm through frigid winters long before we had the heating options we have today. By changing this habit you’ll use fewer fossil fuels and create less pollution. You’ll also save money—win, win!

But wool and down are expensive, right? Not at Goodwill! Especially at this time of the year. Right now people are doing their spring cleaning which means they’re donating a lot of winter layers to make room for summer styles. Snatch those babies up now so you’ll be ready for when the temps drop down again in the fall. I found these snuggly sweaters at my local Goodwill this weekend. They’re from Abercrombie & Fitch and Gap and each one is at least 25% wool—so cozy!

7. Instead of tossing everything in the dryer, hang dry! I still struggle with this one myself. It’s just so much faster and easier to throw the freshly-washed laundry into the dryer. But, again, you’re not doing the Earth any favors by relying on a dryer to finish off your laundry routine. In the past, one of the biggest things that have hung me up is having too much laundry for my clotheshorse inside. In the summer, of course, hanging everything outside is a refreshing and free way to get stuff dry, but in the winter I’d rather not live in a draped-laundry forest. So, join me in making my laundry day habits more eco-friendly. Here’s how:

Instead of having a designated laundry day where you wash a week’s worth of clothes, do no more than one load of laundry per day. This will mean that you do it more often, but it won’t take as long and you can hang-dry your clothes without a massive amount of clothing strewn about your space. Prepare one area with the right hanging fixtures and get in the habit of hanging. This could mean thrifting a clothes horse, stringing up retractable laundry lines inside, or both! Goodwill has plenty of items to help you build the right area to hang dry in your home.

So, what do you think? Are you up to this Earth Week challenge? Just focus on one habit each day and carry those forward with you through the rest of the year until it becomes your new routine! Even if you’re only changing one of these this year, you’re still making a positive difference. They may be little ways to help the environment, but they’re each beneficial. What are your favorite ways to live an eco-friendly life?

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