SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL – It’s an annual rite of spring: as warmer weather arrives, most Americans will take time to declutter and spruce up their homes. A 2017 poll by Sparefoot, a self-storage industry news site, found that 78 percent of Americans plan to tackle spring cleaning projects, spending an average of four days on the process. And more than half of all Americans (57 percent) will shop for new spring clothing, according to a 2016 poll by the International Council of Shopping Centers.
As people reorganize their closets, clear out unwanted items, and refresh their wardrobe, Goodwill Manasota asks the community to give others a fresh start by donating to and shopping at Goodwill.
“Spring is a time to refresh and renew. But you shouldn’t have anything new and useful and beautiful come into your life if you don’t have room for it,” said Lorie Marrero, best-selling author of The Clutter Diet and The Home Office Handbook. “I love donating my clothing and household goods to Goodwill because I know that not only is the person purchasing that item going to enjoy it but also the revenue is going directly to create opportunities for people in my community to find jobs.”
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 2017, Goodwill Manasota served 11,672 people, placed 555 people in jobs, assisted 360 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce, and provided 19,540 hours of on-the-clock training for its employees.
As the spring cleaning season arrives, Goodwill Manasota has these suggestions for shopping and donating to make a positive impact our area:
• CLEAN AND ORGANIZE: Clear out your garage, closets and attic space. Find storage bins, baskets and shelves at Goodwill Manasota to help you get organized. Challenge everyone in your household to find 10 items to donate.
• DONATE: Make it your business to give someone else a fresh start. Whether you’re at a new job or wearing a new size, share your success by donating unwanted professional outfits to Goodwill.
• COLLECT: Visit a Goodwill store to find vintage vinyl records, cassettes or CDs for the perfect spring cleaning soundtrack. Need some motivation for cleaning? After every song on your playlist, move to another area of the room.
• PLAY: Goodwill is your spring sports center. Look for basketballs, baseball mitts, tennis rackets and golf clubs. Be a game changer while upping your athletic game.
• GROW: Make your garden grow. Stop by Goodwill for shovels, rakes, flower pots and planters. Sow the seeds of change in your community when you donate or shop.
• SHOP: Find trend-setting prints and patterns at your local Goodwill store to create a new look this spring. There should be room in your closet now that you’ve decluttered!
“For us, spring is a great time to clean up and clear out all the stuff that has been collecting in our closets,” said Goodwill Manasota Community Ambassador Jennifer Moss Wilson. “By donating to Goodwill, we are making many positive impacts. We reduce landfill waste and we donate items that will then be sold at a steep discount to those can use and enjoy them, all while funding free career services and helping Goodwill to create jobs in their donation centers and stores.”
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 2017, Goodwill Manasota served 11,672 people, placed 555 people in jobs, assisted 360 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce, and provided 19,540 hours of on-the-clock training for its employees. 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 41 million pounds out of the landfill. 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.