GOODWILL TO CELEBRATE TWELVE DAYS OF GIVING

Giving extravagant gifts during the holidays is nothing new — consider the “five golden rings” and “partridge in a pear tree” from the well-known Christmas carol. This holiday season, Goodwill is
asking middle and west Tennessee residents to give more meaningful gifts, such as independence, confidence and success, by donating things they no longer want or need to Goodwill.

Beginning on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28, and continuing through Dec. 9, Goodwill Industries of Middle
Tennessee will celebrate Twelve Days of Giving — an effort to raise awareness that donations to Goodwill
fuel the nonprofit organization’s mission of changing lives through education, training and employment.

During each of the Twelve Days of Giving, Goodwill will introduce on its website and social media a
recipient of these gifts, such as:

 Laibao Wan, who, at nearly 80 years old, overcame a language barrier and gained independence with
the help of Goodwill’s custodial training program.
 Susie Holder, whose job at Goodwill helped her develop the confidence to make a smooth
transition back into the workforce after prison; and
 Terrell Jones, who despite being blind, found success as a Goodwill call center operator after learning
to use special computer software.

“When people give clothing, furniture, decor and other household items to Goodwill, they support
Goodwill’s mission,” said Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee President and CEO Matthew Bourlakas. “Donations sold in Goodwill’s retail stores fund a wide variety of services for both Goodwill employees and clients, many of whom struggle with disabilities and other barriers to employment.”
Goodwill Career Solutions services include on-the- job training, career planning, monthly job fairs, computer and resume classes, vocational training programs, youth programs and more. The majority of these programs are provided for free, thanks to the generosity of Goodwill’s donors and shoppers.

Goodwill is also giving back to those who donate during the Twelve Days of Giving. Donors can visit
Goodwill’s website at www.giveit2goodwill.org/12days/ for instructions on how to enter a drawing for one
of 12 Goodwill gift cards.