SARASOTA, FL – On November 13, Goodwill Manasota will recognize World Kindness Day and celebrate the first anniversary of the launch of the Kindness Community movement in our community. Jacqueline Moore, a past mayor of North Port and a proud Goodwill Ambassador, partnered with Goodwill Manasota last year to launch the community-wide campaign, which was designed to make a positive impact by bringing our community together and encouraging acts of kindness – whether random or planned.
Since the movement started, more than 25,000 community members have signed the Kindness Community pledge, which affirms they will take action and encourage others to perform acts that will transform our community into a better place to live. The “Kindness Community” Facebook page and its web page, found at experiencegoodwill.org/kindness, have both served as platforms for people to share their stories and photos.
In addition, both Sarasota and Manatee Counties issued official Kindness Community Proclamations, with the City of North Port adopting a Kindness Community Resolution. Local businesses such as The Local Tea Company, Rough & Ready Media, and JNA Media Global have joined the movement, donating their time and services to help spread the message.
Also in the past year, Goodwill presented a successful, three-part “Kindness at Work Speaker Series” with guest speakers from local companies – including Publix, Culvers, Re/Max Alliance Group, Adams and Reese LLP, PGT Industries, Sticky Fingers Studio, Achievements Learning Center, Culvers, and West Villages – discussing their decisions to create a kinder workplace.
“It is only appropriate that an organization that bears the name ‘Goodwill’ has helped to create this movement,” said Moore. “We each have the potential to improve each other’s lives through understanding and kindness. Whether it’s a friend, family member, co-worker or stranger, our ability to show our humanity should have no limit.”
“Goodwill Manasota embodies the spirit of goodwill in the community. Acts of kindness are being performed every day – this movement has helped to energize thousands in our community,” added Veronica Brandon Miller, vice president of Goodwill Manasota. “With the assistance of our Goodwill Ambassadors, we have helped people to realize they have the power to bring about positive change and make our community a better place.”
Goodwill asks that those who are interested go online and sign a pledge of support for the Kindness Community at experiencegoodwill.org/kindness. For more information, call (941) 355-2721.
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2016, Goodwill Manasota served 28,207 people, placed 755 people in jobs and assisted 240 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $92.1 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted more than 40 million pounds out of the landfill. We accomplish our mission through a network of Good Neighbor Centers in Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties and our Mission Development Services (MDS) around North America. Goodwill Manasota is accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota, in essence, belongs to this community and is not owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.