BRADENTON, FL – During its game against the Palm Beach Cardinals on July 3, the Bradenton Marauders presented an Independence Day celebration featuring a fireworks show, Independence Day T-shirts for the first 1,500 fans through the gate, and a patriotic jersey auction benefiting Goodwill Manasota’s Veterans Services Program. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown out by Army veteran John Coakley, who was helped through Goodwill’s veterans’ program.
Recently, the Bradenton Marauders presented a check to Goodwill Manasota for $2,555, raised through the jersey auction. The proceeds will support case management for veterans as well as vocational services that address barriers to employment, disabilities, mental health issues, housing, education and training. Goodwill’s Veterans Services Program, which was created in 2013 and is staffed by veterans, also helps veterans and their families to navigate the wide array of available programs and to secure the benefits to which they are entitled.
“Goodwill Manasota is so proud to be able to honor and contribute to the men and women who served our country,” Margie Genter, vice president of mission services. “We thank the Marauders for providing us with this wonderful opportunity to let the community know how they can help veterans and their family members re-acclimate to civilian life.”
For more information about Goodwill’s Veterans Services Program, go to experiencegoodwill.org or call (941) 355-2721, ext. 451.
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.