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Tag: pop up
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Thank You For Making a Difference!
Since 1963, Goodwill has been making a positive impact by changing lives for the better, through the power of work and the dignity of a job.
Thank you to our shoppers, as your dollars provide purpose and employment to Albertans with disabilities.
Thank you to our donors, as your support helps the environment and changes lives for the better.
And Thank you to all Albertans as You stepped up for the GOOD of our community this year.
Together, we will continue to strengthen our province.
To show our appreciation and as a thank you to our shoppers and donors, we are excited to offer an opportunity WIN a luxurious 2-night stay in the beautiful Rocky Mountains!
When you visit a store in the Edmonton and surrounding areas, enter for a chance to win a 2-night stay at the gorgeous Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge! When you visit a store in Calgary and surrounding areas, enter to win a 2-night stay at the picturesque Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise!
We couldn’t have provided this Alberta staycation without our partners at the Fairmont.
The fun won’t end there, because throughout November and December, we’ll be saying thank you in our own unique GOODWILL way, because your contributions have helped further our mission of helping those with disabilities get back into the workforce, finding the right job, for the right person.
Some things to consider about your contributions:
• You helped send 167 Albertans through our Path to Employment.
• You’ve contributed to the more than 500,000 donations we received this past year.
• Through recycling and re-purposing we have diverted about 16million kilograms from landfills annually.
• 89.2 cents of every dollar you spent was reinvested into Goodwill’s mission.Together we are changing lives for the better, strengthening families and communities through the power of work and the dignity of a job.
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Throw ‘n’ Go Calgary
What happens to the clothing and textiles brought to the City of Calgary Throw ‘n’ Go?
Clothing and textiles are donated, reused or recycled depending on their condition. Any reusable clothing is sent for resale to retailers internationally. If the item isn’t reusable, it will be recycled instead. Textile recyclers turn old clothing, shoes, linens and fabrics into new products. Materials are sorted, cleaned and can be turned into wiping rags or shredded down for upholstery stuffing or fiber recycling.
All dropped-off clothing and textiles are organized by Goodwill Alberta.
Please note that Goodwill does not offer textile recycling bins at any other locations in Calgary. However, you can take clothing and shoes to a Goodwill store for donation and recycling as well.
Is there a list of recyclable clothing, shoes and textiles?
Yes. The City of Calgary Throw ‘N’ Go bins accept a variety of textiles including:
- Clothing (shirts, dresses, pants, underwear, sweaters)
- Outerwear (e.g. coats and jackets)
- Shoes and footwear (sandals, sneakers, runners, dress shoes, heels)
- Purses, backpacks, wallets, and belts
- Household linens (e.g. bedding, towels, curtains, pillows, tea towels, duvets and blankets)
- Reusable shopping bags (e.g. cloth grocery store bags, Lululemon bags)
- Burlap bags (coffee or rice)
- Underwear, bras and hosiery
- Accessories like hats, mittens and scarves
- Cleaning cloths, rags, and scrap fabric (ensure cleaning fabrics are laundered first)
- Carry-on sized luggage, suitcases and duffel bags (these bags must fit in textile bin otherwise please take to a Goodwill thrift store or donation centre.
How do I prepare clothes for recycling?
- Even if the material is ripped or damaged, make sure that all clothing and fabrics are clean before bringing in for recycling.
- Place items inside a bag before dropping off at the City of Calgary landfill Throw ’n’ Go. This helps keeps the clothing dry and makes it easier to collect.
- If you bring other garbage in your load, landfill charges will apply.
For more information please visit the City of Calgary.
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Alberta Business Awards of Distinction
The Alberta Business Awards of Distinction recognize businesses/organizations that have demonstrated outstanding achievement and contribution to their community while having developed business acumen & management practices to ensure long term sustainability.
The stakes were very high and the competition was fierce in each of the 13 categories. All 269 of this year’s submissions exemplified business excellence.
Goodwill Industries of Alberta is proud to be nominated for this year’s Diversity Award of Distinction.
The Diversity Award of Distinction recognizes an inclusive business/ organization which demonstrates best practices in recognizing and appreciating diversity so that employees, clients, customers and others are respected and valued as unique individuals. Inclusion is the act of creating a work environment of hiring and staff development practices in which all employees feel welcomed, respected, supported and valued, and able to fully participate in the organization’s mission and business performance.
The winner’s of the awards will be announced in a live (virtual) presentation on Friday, October 9th.
To date, over 300 companies have been named Alberta Business Award of Distinction recipients. There are currently 13 diverse award categories, with an additional Alberta’s Best of Business Award.
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DEAM
Goodwill Industries of Alberta has first handily seen the impact of inclusive employment, the power of a job and the dignity of a job on the lives of Albertans with disabilities. Our Career Connections Team, supports people with disabilities in locating employment or volunteer opportunities in their communities. Individuals are assisted with identifying their employment goals, employment preparation, job search and employment coaching.
As one of Alberta’s largest employers of people with disabilities, Goodwill is proud to be a supporter of DEAM and its month-long activities throughout Alberta. Taking place each October nationally and provincially, Disability Employment Awareness Month or simply known as DEAM, is a campaign and event that works to promote inclusion within the job market for people with disabilities. DEAM raises awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities while celebrating the impact and contributions of these workers.
There are many opportunities to participate and celebrate DEAM! Due to COVID restrictions, many events listed below are being offered virtually – and anyone can attend. Check out the opportunities in your area:
Calgary
Friday October 2nd: Calgary DEAM Kickoff/Proclamation – Online Option Available (info to be posted on website)
Tuesday October 6th: DEAM Calgary Employer and Self Advocate Panel @ Prairie Dog Brewery 2:00-3:00 pm – LIVE Stream link found here
Tuesday October 13th: MentorAbility Industry Information Session, Careers in Animal Care 1:00 – 2:00pm – Link available here
Edmonton
Thursday October 1st: Edmonton “Bringing DEAM together during COVID-19” virtual kick off – LIVE Stream found here
Tuesday October 13th: MentorAbility Industry Information Session, Careers in Animal Care 1:00 – 2:00pm
Tuesday October 20th: DEAM Business Champions Network Panel discussion 1:00 -2:15 pm
Tuesday October 27th: Mentorability virtual session 9-10 am, Celebrating DEAM and National Mentoring Day
For more information on Calgary’s DEAM Celebrations, please visit: http://www.calgaryemploymentfirst.ca/deam/
For more information on Edmonton’s DEAM Celebrations, please visit: https://pdconnection.org/disability-employment-awareness-month-deam/
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Goodwill Pop-Up Shop 2020
The summer of 2020 has been…different. Rules and restrictions are in place for mass gatherings, social distancing measures are instituted to ensure disease isn’t transmitted easily, while there is hand sanitizer on every corner. This will be a story our children and our children’s children will hear for ages, on how the world changed. Street markets across Alberta had to shift priorities and Goodwill had to pause and reflect to assess how we could build on the success of 2019, with our Goodwill Pop-Up Shop.
Well, we found a way! While we didn’t participate in as may markets this year, we partnered with two street markets in Edmonton late in August, bringing the best of the Goodwill finds directly to you.
On Saturday August 22nd, we set up on 104th Street in Edmonton for the Al Fresco on 4th market. This market is a way for people to discover the new, vibrant outdoor market filled with extended patios, various food trucks, and retail vendors for the family to enjoy in the sun.
It was here, where we introduced new and upcycled Goodwill items, that many people have never seen before. These included our upcycled tea-cup candles, cleaning cloths and a brand new table top that was repaired at Goodwill in our Repair for Good program. The day was a hit, where our staff fielded many questions to our garments, to these amazing items we have been able to keep out of the landfill.
From 104th Street, we made our way West to the 124th Grand Market on 124th Street. The sun was shining, music was playing and people were out enjoying the late afternoon. We were ready to showcase some high-end unique donations that were ready to generate revenue for our mission of helping people with disabilities to find and gain meaningful employment. This market serves the community with quality, locally farmed and focused products, supporting growth of burgeoning businesses and entrepreneurs. We are proud to showcase the locally donated items that can be turned into new fixtures for your home.
While this was a small step compared to the year prior, 2021 will be full steam ahead, as we look to participate in more markets, supporting emerging business leaders, our local community and most of all our mission.
Courtesy of Doug Roxburgh
Goodwill Industries of Alberta Contributor
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Boxing Day!
To show our appreciation and as a thank you to our shoppers and donors, we are excited to offer an opportunity to save BIG at Goodwill!
On December 26, 2019, for ONE DAY ONLY, the retail stores across the province of Alberta will be 50% OFF regularly priced merchandise!!!
Not only this, but throughout Boxing Week, up until January 1, 2020, you will receive a bag with your purchase. Return this bag with a donation to your local Goodwill Donation Centre and you will receive an opportunity to SAVE EVEN MORE with our Scratch and Win Cards!
Our mission of helping Albertans with disabilities finding and gaining meaningful employment wouldn’t be successful if it wasn’t for you and the rest of the province. THANK YOU for making a difference in the lives of your fellow Albertan as we continue to strengthen families and lives through the power of work.
Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year from Goodwill.
Courtesy of Doug Roxburgh
Goodwill Industries of Alberta Contributor
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Thank You For Making a Difference!
2019 is coming to an end and this year we couldn’t thank our wonderful shoppers, donors, volunteers and team members for making this year one of the most successful yet!
To show our appreciation and as a thank you to our shoppers and donors, we are excited to offer an opportunity to save BIG at Goodwill!
Together, we proudly support and serve Albertans with disabilities, and ensure they receive valuable career development and job placement. We couldn’t do it without you and your contributions.
Some things to consider about your contributions:
• You helped send 187 Albertans through our Path to Employment.
• You’ve contributed to the more than 500,000 donations we received this past year.
• Through recycling and re-purposing we now have a 90% diversion rate from landfills.
• Thanks to you, Goodwill connects Albertans with disabilities to meaningful employment.
• 88.7 cents of every dollar you spent was reinvested into Goodwill’s mission.This award-winning year is thanks to your support! We continued on with our Sustainability Action Plan, and were honored to receive an Emerald Award for Sustainability and a Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations award for Innovation in terms of our environmental stewardship.
As honoured as this makes us, we enter 2020 excited to reach all new heights of success.
Together we are changing lives for the better, strengthening families and communities through the power of work and the dignity of a job.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year from Goodwill.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column]
Courtesy of Doug Roxburgh
Goodwill Industries of Alberta Contributor
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Goodwill Cleaning Cloths: Hotel Collection
Commercial Services Launch NEW product!
A new product has launched at Goodwill Industries of Alberta in conjunction with the Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA). The new Goodwill Cleaning Cloths: Hotel Collection are now available at Edmonton and surrounding area Goodwill retail outlets, with proceeds going to help fund programs that enable Albertans with disabilities to find and gain meaningful employment.
“This new product is made possible by having partner hotels donate their unwanted towels with Goodwill’s Commercial Services Division transforming them into an exclusive item used for everyday purposes,” says Johnson Tran, Manager of Goodwill at Work.
Commercial Services is a division of Goodwill that employs Albertans with a disability. This division provides professional assembly and packing services in sustainable ways.
The new Cleaning Cloths: Hotel Collection is a product donated by hoteliers in Alberta through the Goodwill/AHLA partnership. These unwanted towels will then be sorted, cut and packaged into a new product and giving it a new purpose.
Through this partnership, over 10,000 kilograms of towels will be diverted from the landfill. This means more employment opportunities and more career fulfillment, as Goodwill continues to strengthen communities and lives through the power of work and the dignity of a job.
Courtesy of Doug Roxburgh
Goodwill Industries of Alberta Contributor
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WWII Medals Family Found in Calgary
Calgary, AB (November 2, 2019) – Through the re-sale of donations, Goodwill helps support programs that enable those with a disability to gain meaningful employment. This past week, a generous donor accidentally dropped off some historical items that were mixed in with some other donations to our organization at the Goodwill Trans Canada Retail Store and Donation Centre. Among these items were a Memorial Cross with the name Sgt. R.W. Finch engraved on it, various medals from World War II and photographs of family members. We felt strongly that they should be returned to their rightful owner as they held too much sentimental value and so the search for the donor began.
Within 8 hours of a Social Media post asking the public to help find this donor, the message spread from Calgary, to Edmonton, to Winnipeg. Messages poured in from right across country from people willing to offer any little information that they had to help us track down the family members. Fort Garry Horse, Veteran Affairs and many volunteers helped with this search and last night at about 9:30 p.m. MST a family member was found!
Tracey Scott, a Calgary resident and grand daughter of the fallen war veteran, was contacted by friends, stating that she needed to see this Facebook post and after doing so reached out to our organization and we discussed at length, how these items were mistakenly donated and how the photographs brought on so many different emotions.
On Sunday November 3rd, Scott arrived at the Trans Canada location to retrieve the box of items she never knew existed. Scott’s hands were trembling as she held onto photos of her grandmother, grandfather and mom, and the medal given to the young widow.
“I went to the story and saw my grandmother and my grandfather and my mom staring back at me.”
Her grandfather had died in battle in 1945 and is buried at the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in the Netherlands, a place Scott visited with her grandmother in 1995. Scott’s grandmother and mom died a few years ago. She has no idea how the photos and medals wound up where they did. Those touched by this story are just thankful the box of memories has been saved to help keep a war hero’s story alive.
Goodwill Industries of Alberta is proud to return these items back to the family, back to their home and back to their rightful place, as we can only imagine the emotions running through this family. We are very proud to serve our community and this is one of the ways we were able to show that we care.
Thank you very much to the public who helped locate this family. We are very appreciative, because without your help, we could not have found the family as quickly as we did. Together we showed how amazing this country is, simply by offering a helping hand.
Thank you again.
For additional media coverage please see:
Courtesy of Doug Roxburgh
Goodwill Industries of Alberta Contributor
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AHLA Partnership
Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) and Goodwill Industries of Alberta
Goodwill has teamed up with the AHLA to implement two outstanding projects that will divert tens of thousands of kilograms of waste from local landfills, all while creating jobs for people with disabilities. This will impact our community for the better.
The Eco-Check Out Program
This program will encourage partner hotels to divert goods from the landfill. Goodwill will accept a wide variety of donations from hotels that will be sold in various retail locations throughout the province with 89% of all revenues being invested in Career Development initiatives for people with disabilities.
Track The Donations
Our goal is to get 50,000 kilograms of donations from hotels, but we can’t accomplish this without YOUR help!
Follow the progress with our interactive donation meter!
Thank you to the following hotels who have already made contributions:
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- Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Edmonton International Airport
- Hampton Inn & Suites Edmonton West
- Sandman Hotel Edmonton West
- Staybridge Suites Calgary Airport
- Wingate by Wyndham West Edmonton
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Courtesy of Doug Roxburgh
Goodwill Industries of Alberta Contributor
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Emerald Awards
Emerald Awards
For 29 years, the Emerald Awards recognize and celebrate the outstanding environmental achievements of large and small businesses, individuals, not-for-profit associations, community groups, youth and governments.
This year, Goodwill Industries of Alberta was the proud recipient of the 2019 Emerald Award for the Goodwill Edmonton Impact Centre in the category of Community Group or Not-For-Profit for a Large Organization. Receiving the award on behalf of Goodwill was President and CEO Dale Monaghan and Board Chair Kevin MacDonald.
This award recognizes associations dedicated to furthering a particular social cause or advocating for a shared point of view that have demonstrated a significant commitment to the environment through their actions.
“Thanks in large part to the Sustainability Action Plan, initiated by Goodwill and ATB Financial, Goodwill has been an innovator when it comes to waste reduction and environmental stewardship,” says Monaghan. “We are proud to make a positive impact in our community, all the while creating employment opportunities for Albertans with disabilities.”
Congratulations to all of the other organizations and nominees for this prestigious award, including our partners College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk and Moving, as their hard work continue to excel the nonprofit sector. Award winners exemplify creativity and innovation through new models of organizational effectiveness, collaboration, and program delivery. They increase impact and address systems-level gaps. They create an inspiring picture of the future and empower others to have a positive impact on the community. From well-known programs to a variety of smaller scale initiatives, there are many rich examples of innovative practices in Alberta’s nonprofit sector.
For more on the Emerald Awards, please visit: https://emeraldfoundation.ca/about-the-emeralds/
Courtesy of Doug Roxburgh
Goodwill Industries of Alberta Contributor
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Nonprofit Innovation Award
Calgary Innovation Awards
Calgary AB (October 3, 2019) – The Alberta Nonprofit Innovation Awards celebrate nonprofit professionals and organizations across Alberta who have challenged the status quo and inspired others with creative and disruptive solutions to address enduring community challenges.
Today Goodwill Industries of Alberta was the proud recipient of the 2019 Calgary Chamber of Volunteer Organizations for social enterprise innovation. Receiving the award on behalf of Goodwill was President and CEO Dale Monaghan, Vice President of Donated Goods and Retail Fay Wisted, as well as Store Managers from throughout the Calgary region.
The award recognizes innovation and high performance success in the operation of the Amazing Edmonton Impact Centre and the Sustainability Action Plan, for which ATB Financial is a major supporter of.
“For over a half century, Goodwill has been changing lives for the better, strengthening families and communities through the power of work and the dignity of a job,” says Monaghan. “We are proud to make a positive impact in our community, while being leaders within our industry.”
Congratulations to Mortimer Capriles and the amazing team at the Impact Centre as well as to everyone else who had a hand in building the Sustainability Action Plan, including Fay Wisted, Shabeena Habib, Yvan Boutin, John Gebbie and Brenda Hawryluk. This successful plan was endorsed and supported by the wonderful Board of Directors at Goodwill including the Sustainability Champion Board Member, Jodi Tomchyshyn London.
Also congratulations to all of the other organizations and nominees for this prestigious award, as their hard work continue to excel the nonprofit sector. Award winners exemplify creativity and innovation through new models of organizational effectiveness, collaboration, and program delivery. They increase impact and address systems-level gaps. They create an inspiring picture of the future and empower others to have a positive impact on the community. From well-known programs to a variety of smaller scale initiatives, there are many rich examples of innovative practices in Alberta’s nonprofit sector.
For more information on the Alberta Nonprofit Innovation Awards, please visit: https://www.calgarycvo.org/innovation.
Courtesy of Doug Roxburgh
Goodwill Industries of Alberta Contributor
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Behind The Scenes of The Goodwill Pop-Up
One of my favorite things about summer is shopping up and down a bustling market strip. By bringing together artists, cooks, and farmers, summer markets are a Mecca for all things local.
Even on days when nothing at the market has that “I must bring you home with me” attraction; it’s always nice to sit in the sun, listen to a local musician cover ‘Brown Eyed Girl’, and watch a sea of people flow through the row of white tents.
When the opportunity to organize a pop-up shop presented itself to me, the answer was a no-brainer, because the atmosphere is what I crave. A co-worker and I set off to find merchandise from the Goodwill stores which would soon have a home underneath our blue tent. The hunt was on!
Our first days were spent roaming the aisles collecting tea sets, jewelry, clothing and trinkets of all shapes and sizes. As it turned out, each store acted as its own unique market. Once familiarized with the layout of the stores, we quickly darted-out in every direction searching for the perfect items curated to our various themes. A handbag, to match a funky summer skirt; a tray, to hold a Japanese tea pot and matching cups. Once we felt we had accumulated enough clothing and wares to stock and re-stock our displays, we inventoried, organized, and waited with bated breath for the first market day to arrive.
The early morning air and nervous anticipation woke me up long before my alarm. Today was the day. After checking off both mental and physical check lists, we set-off for our first market. We queued in the vendor line and were soon shown our space. Two lines sprayed in white over the cement 10 feet apart from each other marked our designated area. A flurry of unloading boxes, bags, bins, and displays ensued. As we ‘popped’ our tent up and secured it with homemade weights, curious eyes and smiling faces greeted us throughout our set up. Although the market street was emptier than it would be all day, scads of “hello’s” and “good morning’s” could be heard as fellow vendors past through. Time must have moved three times its normal speed because as we placed our overflow boxes under a table cloth and out of sight; the market opened, and guests began to flood in.
Everything that I love about markets was emphasized by being a part of the mini-ecosystem. Laughing with other vendors, greeting guests with a smile, and sharing the programs and partnerships that Goodwill offers to its community filled every minute of the day. Although the items we showcased were neither handmade or homegrown, everything we displayed was 100% local. Every item was a donation from a generous Albertan, with the proceeds from every sale going towards supporting programs for disabled Albertans to find meaningful employment.
It felt good knowing that we were giving these items another chance at life; outside the landfill and into a loving home.
Once the final patrons made their march through the market, the electric adrenaline rush of human interaction began to wane as load-out began. Then as abruptly as we arrived, we left; this time with a half empty truck and a smile on our faces. The afterglow of the market remained with me until late that night, as the nervous apprehension from the morning turned to eager anticipation for our next market day.
Courtesy of Liam Maxwell
Goodwill Industries of Alberta Contributor
