Horizon Goodwill Industries Announces Strategic Leadership Promotions

November 1, 2023

Horizon Goodwill Industries Announces Strategic Leadership Promotions

[Hagerstown, October 1, 2023] – Horizon Goodwill Industries (HGI) is proud to announce the promotion of three dedicated individuals to new leadership positions within the organization. These strategic advancements underscore HGI’s commitment to fostering growth and development from within its talented team.

Debra Carbaugh, a seasoned professional with an impressive 19-year tenure at HGI, has been appointed Chief of Staff and Assistant VP of Strategic Initiatives. In her previous role as Director of Training and Development, Debra demonstrated reliable leadership and her years of dedication to the organization bring unparalleled experience to the position. Leveraging that experience alongside a deep understanding of the local community and broader Goodwill network, Debra will now play a crucial role in supporting Board of Directors activities, leading strategic initiatives, and extending executive-level capacity.

Tammy Elrick, who started at HGI in 2016 as a Vocational Case Manager, has been promoted to the position of Interim Director of Training and Development. Tammy has served the last two years as a Workforce Development Instructor, playing a pivotal role in shaping the skills and capabilities of HGI’s workforce. Her hands-on experience not only showcases her commitment to the organization’s mission but also positions her uniquely to lead the Training and Development department.

Additionally, we are pleased to announce the promotion of Kenneth Winebrenner to the role of Interim Director of Human Resources. Kenneth, who joined HGI as an Employment Specialist in 2016, brings valuable experience within the organization. He has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

These promotions reflect HGI’s confidence in the exceptional talents of its team members and the organization’s dedication to nurturing leadership from within. As Debra, Tammy, and Kenneth take on their new roles, Horizon Goodwill Industries looks forward to continued growth, innovation, and success.

About Horizon Goodwill: 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.

September 2023 Newsletter

August 31, 2023

Welcome to the Horizon Goodwill Industries company newsletter.

Our Mission is Removing Barriers, Creating Opportunities.

September 2023 Vol. 2, Edition 3

Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude – Jimmy Buffett

Hello HGI friends! I had my September newsletter piece all written and ready to turn in, and it was fantastic. In it, I brilliantly connected the Labor Day holiday with our purpose at Goodwill, no doubt leaving everyone inspired as we slowly close the door on summer and turn our attention to the busy fall season. Ok, true confession: As of Friday, I hadn’t written anything at all. 😊

And then, over the Labor Day weekend, Jimmy Buffett passed away. Some of you probably already know this, and others are probably asking why does this matter and why is Dave writing about it???

Well for one, yours truly is a Parrothead, which means I have followed his career and music for almost thirty years. Jimmy Buffett was not only a successful musician and songwriter but also a lifestyle brand in his own right, known for his “Margaritaville” persona and laid-back, tropical attitude.

Here are several lessons I have learned from his music, adventures, and business:

Embrace the “Island State of Mind”: Buffett’s music often promotes a relaxed and carefree attitude associated with beach and island life. While not everyone can live on a tropical island, adopting a more relaxed and positive mindset can improve your overall well-being and mental health.
Find and Follow Your Passion: Jimmy Buffett’s success is largely attributed to his passion for music and storytelling. He followed his passion and turned it into a successful career. Pursuing what you love can lead to both personal fulfillment and professional success.
Resilience: Like many successful artists, Buffett faced many setbacks and challenges in his career. He persevered through difficult times, demonstrating the importance of resilience and determination in achieving your goals.
Surround Yourself with Good People: Buffett often collaborated with other more talented musicians and surrounded himself with a supportive team. Building a strong team and support network can help you succeed in your endeavors.
Live in the Moment: Many of Buffett’s songs emphasize the idea of living in the present and savoring life’s experiences. Practicing mindfulness and being present can lead to greater contentment and joy.
Seek Adventure: Buffett’s songs and life contain stories of adventure and exploration. Embracing a growth mindset and stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to personal growth and memorable moments.
Be Kind and Give Back: Jimmy Buffett is known for his generosity and philanthropic efforts, particularly in environmental conservation. Being kind to others and giving back to your community or a cause you’re passionate about can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment and make the world a better place.

We may never get to live the “Margaritaville” lifestyle that he sang about. But if we put our hearts and heads to it, I think we can all find joy and satisfaction in the work we do, the opportunities we have, and what we give back. As he wrote in a song, “with a little love and luck, we will get by.”

With hope and fins up,
Dave

Horizon Goodwill Industries Honored With Award As One Of America’s Best Health Plans

Did you know Horizon Goodwill Industries was recently honored at the inaugural “Rosie Awards” presentation in Chicago with a national health plan excellence and stewardship award? Fifty employers or unions with memberships ranging from 27 to 300,000 were honored by over 700 healthcare and benefits professionals, industry experts, and thought leaders gathered at the Chicago Navy Pier on August 7-9 to discuss strategies for delivering better care at a lower cost while improving patient outcomes. The Rosie Awards are presented by Health Rosetta, a collective of people who have seen health’s future in action and are passionately working to make it a reality.

Dave Chase, Health Rosetta Co-founder, offered additional insight on the 2023 Rosie Award selection criteria behind America’s Best Health Plans: “With health plan costs being one of an organization’s top three expenses, it’s imperative that leadership have a comprehensive third-party assessment to help them understand how their plan is operating, how it compares to high-performance plans, and provides detailed best practices and strategies to improve their plan…”

Horizon Goodwill Industries’ selection as one of the 2023 Rosie Award winners also spotlights the award-winning plan design and advisement led by Health Rosetta Advisor Ben Bohonowicz of Employee Benefit Services of Maryland.

“It’s been an exciting and rewarding experience to guide Horizon Goodwill down the path of a high-performing health plan. The Horizon Goodwill Leadership Team was quick to understand there’s a better way of providing comprehensive health coverage. They’ve been particularly thoughtful about their health plan, really focusing on access, quality of care, cost, and the overall member experience. Benefitting the community is ingrained in HGI’s DNA.

rosie award acceptance — (left-right) Ben Bohonowicz of Employee Benefit Services of Maryland, Bobby Maquire, VP of People and Culture, HGI, and Brooke Grossman, CMO, HGI.

You can see it reflected in their health plan, where HGI employees can receive FREE care on a variety of services:

Primary Care
Diagnostics, including Labs, X-rays, and Imaging
Outpatient/Inpatient Care
Maintenance Generic, Brand, and Specialty Rx
$250 deductible on other medical services
100% employer-paid Direct Primary Care (DPC) membership
Employee Only Contributions at $40/pay since 2018
Free dental and vision coverage for employees enrolled in the health plan
Up to $500 cash incentive for joining the concierge pharmacy, HaloScrips

Horizon Goodwill Industries can be very proud to be recognized as an industry leader with one of the best health plans in America.”

If you’re enrolled in the HGI Insurance plans, please take advantage of these great benefits!

YOU are making a difference in the lives of many people. It’s the beginning of a new year, but here is your impact through July 2023:

Blessed because Goodwill gives you Chances

Struggling to get by and unable to afford a place for herself and her family in Montgomery County, a friend’s invite brought Tammy Rothgeb-Dawson to Hagerstown and, ultimately, Horizon Goodwill.

Now 60 years old, Tammy grew up in Takoma Park, Maryland. She met her ex-husband at 21, and they had two children – Chris and Billy. But after 27 years of marriage, they decided to separate.

Tammy moved to New Jersey with her youngest, Billy, for eight years. However, things in New Jersey didn’t work out, so they moved back to Montgomery County. By then, her ex-husband had moved out and remarried, so it was just her and her two sons in one of the most expensive counties in the state.

So, grateful for the lifeline from her friend in Hagerstown, she stashed the family’s belongings in storage. She knew she couldn’t stay at her friend’s house indefinitely, but no one was hiring everywhere she looked for work.

“I went everywhere, and nobody was hiring, or I couldn’t get hired on,” she explained. That’s when her friend suggested Goodwill.

After some false starts, the paperwork was finally completed, and she started working in the warehouse. She found a place for her family and, with her brother’s help, moved into the place where she lives to this day.

“I loved it. It made me feel very good because I was helping the less fortunate. Every piece of clothing I would hang was like, I’m helping somebody else,” she said of her work at the warehouse.

The program she was on was temporary but designed to get people on their feet. But after leaving the program, she had difficulty finding something else.

Once again, Goodwill was there. After six months, she came back to work as a core employee. For nearly a decade, she has been working in janitorial services for Goodwill.

“I’ve been with this company for many years now,” she says. “Probably about 8, 10 years. So it’s like my second home.”

It’s a job Tammy enjoys and intends to keep doing until she retires, despite having several health issues. Read her full story here.

Free Book Friday!

For the end of summer, the retail team began a Free Book Friday program at all of the Horizon Goodwill retail stores (excluding / re•find /).

Each Friday, children ages 0-18 can pick out an age-appropriate book at their favorite Horizon Goodwill Store and bring it to the register (no additional purchases are necessary). This promotion is open to all employees and will run from August 18th until Friday, September 8th. There’s still time to take advantage of this great opportunity to help your child enjoy the gift or reading.

Children must be present to receive a free book and are limited to one book per child, one store on Friday only.

This is a Horizon Goodwill Industries-only store promotion. We have stores throughout Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties in Maryland, Fulton and Franklin Counties in Pennsylvania, Frederick, Clarke, Warren, Shenandoah, and Page Counties in Virginia, and Hardy, Grant, Hampshire, Mineral, Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson Counties in West Virginia.

Tammy Elrick completes her certification as a Goodwill® Career Coach and Navigator Professional!

Tammy recently completed her certification as a Goodwill® Career Coach and Navigator Professional on August 15th.

This International Coaching Federation (ICF) accredited Professional Certificate includes four beginner-level courses to help you build skills that prepare you for an entry-level Career Coach or Navigator job. She learned from other Career Coaches and Navigator professionals to gain insights from the job seekers and career advancers they serve. Now that she’s completed all the courses, she can use those credits toward the International Coaching Federation (ICF) credential renewal requirements. She now has skills that include human-centered communication, conducting assessments, career planning, preparing clients for a new career, and other items.

She learned about the following items:

Explain the foundational concepts of Career Coaching and Navigating.
Familiarize clients with the Career Coaching and Navigation experience.
Discover career possibilities for Career Navigators and Career Coaches.
Describe common Career Development theories, models, and tools.
Summarize Coaching Agreements and Career Service Plans.
Identify professional and ethical standards.
Describe human-centered approaches to Career Coaching and Navigating.

This program included more than 40 hours of instruction, including scenario-based activities that enabled her to be in the mindset of a career navigator and to prepare her for real-life situations she may encounter on the job.

Congratulations Tammy!

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.

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 Hires

Name

Location

Years

Name

Location

Start Date

Daniel Boespflug

Stephens City

1 Yr.

Faquir Williamson

Martinsburg

Aug 1

Emens Rho

Corporate Center

1 Yr.

Andrea Brock

Shepherdstown

Aug 2

Angela Gaither

Corporate Center

1 Yr.

Rachelle Proulx

Corporate Center

Aug 2

Rodney Feller

Cumberland UPIP

1 Yr.

Arnise Journey

Charles Town

Aug 3

Kathryn Klym

Stanley

1 Yr.

Deborah Miller

Corporate Center

Aug 4

Dimitri Bradshaw

Charles Town

1 Yr.

Jennifer Reece

Berkeley Springs

Aug 5

Timothy Waggy

Fort Detrick

1 Yr.

David Daughton

LaVale

Aug 7

Andrew Burns

Waynesboro

1 Yr.

Noah Stribling

Front Royal

Aug 7

Kevin Brooks

Charles Town

1 Yr.

Edward Thomas

Romney

Aug 8

Courtney Baker

Cumberland UPIP

1 Yr.

Norman Calhoun

Oakland

Aug 9

Brenda Creamer

Martinsburg GSA

1 Yr.

Raekwon Momen

HGI-2

Aug 9

Lizzie Shoemaker

Corporate Center

1 Yr.

Nevelle Pierre

Corporate Center

Aug 9

Wende Cordone

Shepherdstown

1 Yr.

Leah Walker

Shepherdstown

Aug 11

Yazmin Trammel

Martinsburg GSA

1 Yr.

Sarah Biedler

Shepherdstown

Aug 15

Lenna Burke

Stanley

2 Yrs.

Dj Jackson

Martinsburg

Aug 15

Christopher Six

Unassigned

2 Yrs.

Kristi Leitma

Martinsburg

Aug 15

Jamie Wethington

HGI-2

2 Yrs.

Philip Adams

HGI-2

Aug 16

Kristina Hood

Romney

2 Yrs.

Brianna Chapman

Martinsburg GSA

Aug 16

Kristen Smialek

Charles Town

2 Yrs.

Barbara Frasch

Martinsburg

Aug 18

Tyrone Glover

Corporate Center

2 Yrs.

Deanna Elliott

Front Royal

Aug 19

Jody Harley

Stephens City

2 Yrs.

Karla Mckenzie

Youghiogheny

Aug 20

April Jenkins

Front Royal

2 Yrs.

Ronald Armstead

Corporate Center

Aug 21

Emily Hebert

Waynesboro

2 Yrs.

Trine Knepper

Greencastle

Aug 21

Brenda Douglas

Sideling Hill

3 Yrs.

John Mcfarland

Shepherdstown

Aug 21

Tonya Knettel

Keyser

3 Yrs.

Daniel Bevagna

Cumberland UPIP

Aug 22

Eddiego Boykin

Cumberland UPIP

3 Yrs.

Raegan Botzan

Greencastle

Aug 22

Samantha Meeker

Corporate Center

3 Yrs.

Makayla Russell

Martinsburg

Aug 22

Mary Ensinger

Corporate Center

3 Yrs.

Corey Tiller

Martinsburg

Aug 22

Dylan Norris

Cumberland UPIP

5 Yrs.

Robert Bernard

Corporate Center

Aug 23

Ronnie Miller

Cumberland UPIP

5 Yrs.

Cristy Corle

South End

Aug 24

Gary Hargett

Fort Detrick

7 Yrs.

Fernandez Evans

HGI-2

Aug 24

Cindy Weaver

Cumberland UPIP

9 Yrs.

Cindy Quaglio

Martinsburg

Aug 24

Sherry Lescalleet

HGI-2

10 Yrs.

Fern Elden

Corporate Center

Aug 28

Anthony Pittman

Sideling Hill

10 Yrs.

Carrie Hinton

Corporate Center

Aug 28

Jordan Smith

Martinsburg GSA

12 Yrs.

Declyn Siix

Cumberland UPIP

Aug 28

Linda Vailati

Romney

13 Yrs.

Emily Youngblood

Oakland

Aug 28

Shawn Sites

Fort Detrick

14 Yrs.

Linda Ganoe

Winchester

Aug 29

Teddy Wentzell

Corporate Center

15 Yrs.

Annette Rawlings

Charles Town

Aug 29

Jennifer Bauserman

Winchester

22 Yrs.

Trina Hanna

Fort Detrick

23 Yrs.

Upcoming Events

9/9: Maryland Wellness Presents: Breaking through Barriers, Fort Ave, Cumberland (12 PM – 6 PM)
9/12: Meritus Health/Horizon Goodwill Job Fair, 151 N. Burhans Blvd., Hagerstown (10 AM – 2 PM)
9/13: Cut|Cloth|Work! event, Hagerstown MD, 151 N. Burhans Blvd., Hagerstown (10 AM – 2 PM)
9/15: Allegany County Community Resources Day, Allegany College, Cumberland (10 AM – 2 PM)

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.

Blessed because Goodwill gives you Chances

August 30, 2023

Blessed because Goodwill gives you Chances

by Christopher Six, Media Marketing Assistant

“They give people chances, opportunities that other people don’t. Second chances, first chances. They gave me that first chance, and I’m still here.”

Struggling to get by and unable to afford a place for herself and her family in Montgomery County, a friend’s invite brought Tammy Rothgeb-Dawson to Hagerstown and, ultimately, Horizon Goodwill.

Now 60 years old, Tammy grew up in Takoma Park, Maryland. She met her ex-husband at 21, and they had two children – Chris and Billy. But after 27 years of marriage, they decided to separate.

“I went everywhere, and nobody was hiring, or I couldn’t get hired on,” she explained. That’s when her friend suggested Goodwill.

The program she was on was temporary but designed to get people on their feet. But after leaving the program, she had difficulty finding something else.

Once again, Goodwill was there. After six months, she came back to work as a core employee. For nearly a decade, she has been working in janitorial services for Goodwill.

“I’ve been with this company for many years now,” she says. “Probably about 8, 10 years. So it’s like my second home.”

It’s a job Tammy enjoys and intends to keep doing until she retires, despite having several health issues.

“Well, I’m getting up in age, and I still feel comfortable with what I do. I enjoy what I do,” she explains.

Another reason she continues working is it distracts her from personal tragedies. She lost her younger son, Billy, nine months ago. Shortly after, she lost the person she intended to marry.

“We just never know when our time is up. I came home from work, and I found him,” she said of her son. “It’s a vision I don’t wish on no parent — to find their loved one. If it wasn’t for my job, from working for Goodwill, I would have been in a psych ward.”

Her job gives her purpose and joy.

“I wake up, and I know I must sound crazy, but I feel excited. I’ve got a job. I’m blessed. I’m blessed when I can wake up and get out of that bed and go to work and know I do my job to the best of my ability,” she said.

At one time, she said she would crochet or read. Now, she throws herself into her work.

“My son had a life insurance policy. I don’t want the money. I just want him,” she said. “But that’s not possible. That’s not reality. So I choose to work. That’s my enjoyment.”

She focuses her time away from the job, enjoying time with her remaining son, Chris, who also has health issues.

“My goal is to save up and get a house, maybe later down the road,” she said. “When I can retire at 65, maybe my son and I can get a house.”

Tammy said without Goodwill, there was no doubt she and her family would have been on the street. And her work is her way of helping others.

“I don’t have to work, but I choose to. I guess that’s my hobby. Call me crazy or something, but I need to stay busy. And that’s my way of working, helping others, and doing,” she explained. “I am blessed to have a job, that Goodwill gave me a chance … Goodwill gives you chances. They don’t judge you.”

Horizon Goodwill & the Education Foundation of Washington County Public Schools Announce Results of Annual Spring Donation Drive

August 29, 2023

Horizon Goodwill & the Education Foundation of Washington County Public Schools Announce Results of the Annual Spring Donation Drive

(Hagerstown, Maryland, August 2023) Each spring, Horizon Goodwill Industries partners with the Education 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 EF WCPS.

This year, Middletown Valley Bank stepped in to sponsor the Goodwill Cup. They donated $1,500 to be split between the top collecting elementary, middle, and high schools.

The “Spring into Education Clothing Drive” resulted in the collection of 23,568 pounds of donations. Each of the 50 schools throughout Washington County (including the Center for Education Services – CES) participated. Donation bins were provided to all the schools by Horizon Goodwill. Students, parents, teachers, and administrators were then challenged to fill them. The donation competition was so intense that 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 donations per student were Cascade Elementary, Clear Spring Middle School, and Williamsport High School. Each of those schools was awarded the Goodwill Cup and $500 from Middletown Valley Bank. Special recognition was given to Autumn Slick from Williamsport High School, who donated 760 items! Through this effort, Horizon Goodwill was able to generate over $9,124.80 for the Education Foundation of WCPS – a dramatic increase from $5,240 in 2022.

Sheila Evers, Executive Director of the Foundation, said, “We cannot thank Horizon Goodwill & Middletown Valley Bank 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 the 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 glad to see this partnership continue to grow and are thankful for the Goodwill Cup prize funding contributed this year by Middletown Valley Bank. It is great to see the increased support of each school community since this initiative began, all of which helps the Education Foundation provide funds that help improve educational outcomes for students of WCPS.”

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

Filed Under: News

_________________

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

About Middletown Valley Bank: Since 1908, Middletown Valley Bank has been the cornerstone for our customers’ financial planning, residents and businesses alike. Though many advances of the 21st century have made the financial world more competitive, Middletown Valley Bank continues to provide the flexibility and responsiveness only a true community bank can offer. Our exceptional customer service combined with state-of-the-art technology, provides our customers with the best banking experience. For more information, visit https://mvbbank.com.

How to Integrate the Soft Style Trend into Your Child’s Back-to-School Wardrobe

August 21, 2023

Integrating the Soft Style Trend into Your Child’s Back-to-School Wardrobe

by Felicia Czochanski

Soft Style has been trending this year, making Easter basket pastels an all-season look. Synchronous with preppy and inspired by vintage brands like Limited Too and Juicy Couture, Soft Style continues to trend for Gen Z and the younger generations. Waiting in line to meet the teacher on the first day, parents will be sure to see children in preppy plaids and softer looks with pops of color. By shopping at Goodwill, bringing this trend into your child’s wardrobe will be affordable and the perfect time for a parent-child shopping outing together before the frenzy of a new school year.

As any parent knows, the younger the child, the quicker they seem to outgrow their clothes. It can be rare for a child to fit in the same clothes they wore the year before, and as a result, it can feel like shopping for new clothes is constant. That’s why shopping at Goodwill is the perfect solution – not only for donating clothes that your child may have outgrown, but also for shopping for like-new, or oftentimes even brand new clothes for a fraction of the cost. I took a trip to my local Goodwill store in Brooklyn, NY, and wanted to share some outfit inspiration below for any parents looking to start sourcing their child’s back-to-school wardrobe. Somehow, the new school year is just around the corner!

Pearly Girl: When I saw this adorable 100% cotton top, I fell in love. It looks like a J.Crew mini-me look and is the perfect special top to wear on the first day of school to make a great first impression. The soft pink color of the stripes keeps the shirt on trend, while the ruffled sleeves and pearl embellishments give it a statement look. You can have your child pair this with their favorite jeans or khaki pants for the perfect Soft Style first-day look.

Jumper Dress: Jumpsuits and overalls aren’t just in for Gen Z – your children can wear these looks too from a Soft Style perspective, like this mauve jumper with adorable bunny pocket detailing above. I paired it with a three-quarter sleeve white bodysuit underneath to stick with a more neutral look, letting the pink of the dress stand out as the statement color of the outfit. When it comes to getting your child through the day, let comfy and cute be your guide in selecting an outfit.

Soft Style for Middle Schoolers: If your child has graduated into secondary school, Soft Style can still be for them. Let your child select some new t-shirts that stick with the trend, pastels like on the pink Buffalo David Bitton top above with ruffles on the sides, and a pair of comfortable and dress code-appropriate denim shorts. You’ll also start to see some throwbacks from perhaps when you were in middle school (I know, I can’t believe it either!) with looks based around plaid skirts and even skorts in bright and light colors. If you’re lucky, you might even find a vintage Limited Too version that was just like what you might have worn back in the day.

We want to see your child’s first day of school outfits sourced from Goodwill! Be sure to tag us @horizongoodwill in your photo or reel on Instagram for a chance to be featured.

Ten Steps to Get Organized

August 8, 2023

Ten Steps to Get Organized for Back-To-School Clothes Shopping

By Lorie Morrero

We are fast approaching back-to-school time and now is a great time to share how to get ahead of the game with a quick project to ease your way into the shopping season.

Soon, back-to-school ads will be promoted everywhere, including your nearest Goodwill, with great deals on clothing and supplies. But the only way to take full advantage of these savings is to know what you need in the first place!

You can save the most time, money, and hassle if you know what you already have that works, what each child needs for the current season, and what each child needs for the next season. So let’s help you get a step ahead by getting your kids’ clothing organized for some savvy shopping.

TEN STEPS TO BACK-TO-SCHOOL CLOTHING ORGANIZATION

Typically, you want to get as much of this project done as possible without the kids and involve them for a targeted amount of time at the end. If kids are older or if they are interested in the process, they may benefit from being involved so that they can learn from what you’re doing.

You’ll need the following supplies to get started:

Paper grocery sacks
Plastic storage bins
Permanent marker
Paper and Pen
Bonus: label maker for bins

Let’s dive in:

Get the laundry done as much as possible to give you a full view of what you have. As you fold the laundry, note the sizes of the kids’ underwear, shirts, and pants. Also, make a note of anything that needs to be replaced.
Tell the kids you’ll ask them later to try on a few clothes to see if they fit. Many children cooperate better if given advance notice to transition into activities.
Start with the folded clothing in their dresser drawers, such as socks, underwear, shorts, and sweaters. Check each item for size and wear-and-tear, neaten it up, and organize it as needed. Make note along the way of anything you need to purchase.
If you’re not sure whether something fits, start a try-on pile for each child for later.
Anything that has been outgrown can be placed in a paper sack to donate to Goodwill. Mark the bag with the permanent marker with the word “donate.” You can also label and use the bags to sort other items like toys that need putting away in other rooms.
If you have younger family members who may want outgrown items as hand-me-downs, put these items in storage bins and label the full boxes by gender, range of sizes, and season.
Next, move to the closet and tackle the hanging clothing. Keep noting what needs replacing and areas that are coming up short. Consider everything in terms of “good school clothes” and count how many shirts, pants, and dresses will currently work.
Once you’ve gone through all of each child’s clothing, take whatever’s left in the try-on pile and grab the kids for a try-on session. Some kids may be more cooperative if you let them try on while they watch a favorite show as a treat, and some may think it’s a big fun fashion show! Do have fun with it and work with your child’s preferences to make it painless for everyone.
Write down everything you notice that is needed and the correct sizes for everyone. Don’t forget underwear, socks, belts, ties, hair accessories, jackets, sweaters, school uniforms, “party clothes,” athletic shoes, casual shoes and dress shoes.
Take your bags of donations to your nearest Goodwill donation center. You can find the closest one using our locator. You’ll be helping fund programs and services in your own community that help people get good jobs while helping the planet too!

Now you’re ready! Your kids’ clothes are organized, and you have a list of exactly what you need to get from the big sales in a few weeks. And don’t forget the bargains you can get every day shopping at Goodwill, where gently used kids’ clothing can be the perfect way to save even more.

Happy summer, and welcome back students!