Goodwill Industries of Alberta

Month: January 2015

  • Kelsey Wood is your Inspiring Albertan!

    Kelsey Wood is your Inspiring Albertan!

    CTV Calgary
    Published Wednesday, November 26, 2014

    A valued team member at Goodwill Industries is showing others that work is something to smile about and is our CTV Calgary Inspiring Albertan this week.

    Kelsey Wood works at the Goodwill Industries’ Chinook Store and is rarely seen without a smile.

    She sorts through the donations and prepares them for the retail sales floor.

    “Goodwill is a family and we work as a team,” said Kelsey.

    Fay Wisted is Director of Goodwill Industries for southern Alberta and says Kelsey is very special to her.

    “Kelsey is somebody that came to us three years ago and to this day, I started out as the store manager at this store, and to this day when I walk into the store I’m met with a hug and a smile every day,” said Wisted.

    Kelsey was brought to CTV Calgary’s attention by Olympic curling silver medalist Cheryl Bernard who is now a spokesperson for Goodwill Industries.

    Bernard says she was looking for a local non-profit organization to represent and had been leaning towards Goodwill and meeting Kelsey made the decision easier.

    “She’s such, got such a heart and she’s somebody that we should all look at. She smiles everyday, life is really good and so I wanted to vote her for an inspired segment,” said Bernard.

    Kelsey was at Bernard’s side a few weeks ago when Goodwill announced that the skip would be an ambassador for the charity.

    There is a good natured rivalry between the two over medals as Kelsey has been to the Special Olympics in several sports.

    “I like basketball and floor hockey and I got a floor hockey medal, for a gold medal for floor hockey,” said Kelsey.

    Bernard says the subject of the Olympics came up very soon after they met.

    “She said, oh you were in the Olympics, how many medals have you won? And I went, well just one. She said, oh that’s okay, I’ve won six,” said Bernard.

    Wisted says other employees are also inspired by Kelsey.

    “A lot of our individuals that work for us are shy, they’re a little bit introverted and we respect that, they do a fantastic job but Kelsey’s the one that’s always jumping up and speaking out, she’s always the one that’ offering her, herself to do anything we need done. So I think that she is an inspiration to them,” said Wisted.

    For showing us all, that work is something to smile about, Kelsey Wood is our Inspiring Albertan this week.

  • Olympian Cheryl Bernard is Thrilled to Become Goodwill Ambassador

    Olympian Cheryl Bernard is Thrilled to Become Goodwill Ambassador

    Goodwill Industries of Alberta is proud to announce Olympic medalist Cheryl Bernard is officially becoming an ambassador and Goodwillian!

    After retiring from competitive curling Bernard is dedicating her time to give back to the communities that supported her through her Olympic journey.

    “I believe everyone should have an opportunity and I believe Calgary and Alberta is the place to provide individuals the opportunity to focus on their abilities and become a noteworthy part of the labor force in this city and throughout Alberta,” said Bernard, as she will work with Goodwill as an ambassador and strategist who will help promote what Goodwill does in communities across Alberta.

    “We are just thrilled that Cheryl has joined us as an ambassador for our mission,” said Dale Monaghan, President and CEO of Goodwill. “Cheryl shares our passion of working with Albertans with unique abilities and connecting them with meaningful employment. “

    Bernard decided to join Goodwill after touring their operations in Calgary. She learned about Goodwill’s Power of Work program, which provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to enhance their lives through meaningful employment.

    “I met Kelsey, one of Goodwill’s employees, and if I hadn’t made the decision to join Goodwill before that, meeting her confirmed it,” said Bernard. “Kelsey is a special Olympian who, after finding out I won one medal, she said, ‘Oh, that’s okay but I have six!’ with a huge smile.”

    By joining Goodwill as an ambassador, Bernard will champion their mission of connecting Albertans with disabilities to employment.

    “Kelsey is an incredible example of what a meaningful job and life can do for someone that has a disability,” said Bernard. “I chose then and there to join the Goodwill team, as this organization is prepared to make a difference, short and long term for Albertans with disabilities and I wanted to be on that team!”

    Goodwill Industries of Alberta is a nonprofit enterprise that provides training and meaningful employment opportunities for Albertans with disabilities. Your donations of gently used clothing and household goods are sold in-store to support employment programs for fellow Albertans with disabilities. So every time you donate to Goodwill you are helping to make a difference in someone’s life.

    Cheryl Bernard, Kelsey Wood and Dale Monaghan, Goodwill President and CEO.
    Cheryl Bernard, Kelsey Wood and Dale Monaghan, Goodwill President and CEO.
  • kristian bush shares a moment of goodwill

    kristian bush shares a moment of goodwill

    You might remember Kristian Bush of Sugarland has signed on as an ambassador and supporter of Goodwill. As part of his ongoing and growing support, Kristian performed at a free concert for Goodwill donors held in the Houston, TX area where he encouraged fans to #GiveItAway.

    Goodwill International captured footage from Kristian’s concert and produced videos to connect you to Goodwill and to learn more about our mission.