SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL – Goodwill Manasota is tapping into the whimsical side of the holiday season while working to educate the community about the benefits of the reduce, reuse, recycle movement. Through December 20, community members are encouraged to shop second-hand for sweaters, use the holiday theme and their creativity to decorate their finds, and then post pictures of the resulting attire on Goodwill’s Facebook page. The winners in three categories – cutest, ugliest, and most creative – will earn a Goodwill gift certificate and bragging rights.
The “ugly Christmas sweater” craze has been on the upswing for many years. Numerous retailers now sell selections of obnoxious holiday garb, from vests and dresses to hats and T-shirts, and even elaborate items decorated with lights, sound effects, and dangling ornaments. However, many people will opt to purchase used clothing from thrift stores such as Goodwill and decorate it themselves.
“More and more people are attending ‘ugly Christmas sweater parties’ in bars, restaurants, offices, homes and beyond. At Goodwill, we are thrilled to see the craze continue since so many people shop second-hand for sweaters to decorate,” said Bob Rosinsky, president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “As an organization that is committed to moving to zero waste, we’re happy to be a part of anything that diverts waste from landfills. We also encourage people to declutter after the holidays by bringing unwanted items to Goodwill, where the sale of donated goods helps to create job opportunities right here at home.”
Textiles contribute tremendously to the problem of overflowing landfills – the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that textile waste occupies nearly 5 percent of all landfill space. According to the Council for Textile Recycling, while nearly 100 percent of textiles and clothing are recyclable, the average US citizen throws away 70 pounds of clothing and other textiles annually.
Goodwill Manasota will host the Ugly Christmas Sweater Challenge on its Facebook page: facebook.com/GoodwillManasota. Submissions will be accepted through December 20, with the winner announced on December 22. For more information, go to experiencegoodwill.org or 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.