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Tag: thrift
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Christmas Tree Auction
Christmas Tree Auction
Our stores are busy prepping for the upcoming holiday season and gathering supplies to create one-of-a-kind, fully decorated Christmas trees to auction off.
Christmas Tree Auction 4 Christmas trees will begin being displayed from November 12-26 (in-store only), with all proceeds going towards our mission of helping Albertans with disabilities find and gain meaningful employment.
How Does it Work:
- Stop by any Goodwill Thrift Store in Alberta from November 12-26th.
- Stores will have anywhere from 2-6 trees displayed, completely decorated!
- Visit us in-store and pick your favorite trees. Talk to a team member at the cash register, and place your bid on the bidding sheet available.
- If you have the highest bid, you will be contacted on November 27, to come purchase and pick up the tree.
What You Get:
If you are the winning bid, you will get to take home a fully decorated Christmas tree! Ornaments, lights, and the tree are all included. All money raised from this auction will go directly towards our mission, of helping Albertans with disabilities find and gain meaningful employment.
Christmas Tree Auction 5 -
Thank You
Your donations are making a positive IMPACT!
Donations is where our journey begins at Goodwill. Your support, means more people with barriers are entering the workforce then ever before.
We are taking your donations to re-sell in our stores, where 90% of all funds raise goes right back into our mission.
Some of your broken furniture donations are repaired and upcycled through a program led by Albertans with disabilities, to re-sell at our stores.
We are taking your unwanted items and finding a new home, creating an extended lifecycle for the product and sparking joy for a new generation.
THANK YOU to our shoppers, donors and all Albertans, as you all continue to step up for the GOOD of your community, making a positive impact for our province.
Your donations empower Albertans with disabilities through the power of work and the dignity of a job. Thank You
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 to get back into the workforce, finding the right job, for the right person.
Some things to consider about your contributions:
• You helped over 170 Albertans through our Career Connections portfolio.
• You contribute to the more than 700,000 donations we received this past year. (and counting)
• Through recycling and re-purposing we divert about 19million kilograms from landfills annually.
• 90 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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We Remember
Honouring those we serve
At 11 A.M. on November 11, 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. The allied armies had driven the Germans back, having inflicted heavy defeats upon them over the preceding four months. In November, the Germans called for an armistice, or suspension of fighting, in order to secure a peace settlement. They accepted allied terms that amounted to an unconditional surrender.
The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month attained a special significance in the post-war years. The moment when hostilities ceased on the Western Front became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the war. This first modern world conflict had brought about the mobilization of over 70 million people and left between nine million and 13 million dead, perhaps as many as one-third of them with no known grave. The allied nations chose this day and time for the commemoration of their dead soldiers.
On November 11th, we honour the proud men and women, who continue to protect our freedom, our country and our families.
Goodwill towards our province
Throughout the years at Goodwill, we have been honoured to receive some very generous donations. Some of these items have historical significance relating back to the battles of World War 1 and World War 2. Our organization searches high and low to either return the items to the correct owner, or honour these items by giving them to a local museum.
War Medals Returned to Family
In November of 2021, a military family was re-united with personal heirlooms on Remembrance Day. This all started with a donation we received at our Calgary Trans Canada Goodwill Thrift Store. A shadow box filled with medals, patches, and a black and white photograph of two soldiers showed up at our donation centre. Unsure of who it belonged to, we knew we needed to do some research to try and find a respectful resting place for them.
Letters from WW2 found
A routine check of donated goods has unexpectedly turned up a couple of wartime letters. Found in Kentucky, letters from the war time turned up in an unexpected donation box. The letters were originally written and mailed during World War II. One was composed at sea, postmarked Jan. 27, 1943. The effort is underway to try to locate any relatives of the serviceman who wrote them 80 years ago.
More Medals Returned
In November of 2019, a Memorial Cross with the name Sgt. R.W. Finch engraved on it was donated, along with 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. Tracey Scott, a Calgary resident 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.
The Poppy
In the days leading up to November 11, Poppies can be seen in every corner of this great country. This show of support and display of remembrance would not be possible without the efforts of thousands of Legionnaires who volunteer to distribute Poppies to the community through schools, community organizations and local businesses. We are so grateful for their efforts, and for the support of the many partners, local and national, who welcome Legion volunteers and Poppy boxes into their locations.
Goodwill will be wearing the poppy on our trucks, so you will see them in and around our community, as we support our Troops and remember the fallen.
Poppy’s on Goodwill Trucks -
Thrift Store Bus Tour
Have you ever heard of Thrift Hopping? Well, on Wednesday, August 17th, thirty passionate
thrifters celebrated National Thrift day by boarding a party bus that would take them across the
city for a full day of thrifting!
Thrift Store Bus Tour 17 While the party bus was scheduled to pick the group up at noon, enthusiastic thrifters began
showing up at Plaza Goodwill as early as 10:30 a.m. to let the shopping festivities commence.
Many were able to point out the party crew as they filled up the store with matching blue
bandanas and thrifting-themed bingo cards (as shown below).
News crews showed up to capture some of the action as the group began to board the bus. The
uplifting vibes for the day were set; lights illuminated the interior, and like-minded thrifters began
to mingle as feel-good songs played in the background.
Thrift Store Bus Tour 18 First stop, Chinook Goodwill- ready, set, thrift! Every stop provided thirty minutes of thrifting-filled
excitement. Each thrift hopper had a different goal in mind. Some were motivated to find
vintage, trendy clothes or shoes while others were on the hunt to find home decor or inspiration
for their next DIY project!The wheels on the bus rolled on to our next destination, Change is Good, a fellow non-profit
thrift store that has curated racks featuring stand-out consignment finds! Located in the heart of
Inglewood, this boutique thrift store provided thrift hoppers with a selection of notable brands at
a reasonable price. Owned and operated by The Calgary Dream Center, proceeds go towards
working with individuals who are facing homelessness and addiction.
Thrift Store Bus Tour 19 The final stop was Goodwill’s Varsity location. When thrifters stepped through the front door,
they were met with an inspiring aesthetic that helped them envision the many possible creative
styles of repurposing.As we boarded the bus one final time, it seemed to be a tighter squeeze. Maybe it was all the
sandwiches we ate…but it was most likely attributed to all the full shopping bags these
passionate thrifters had seated beside them.
Thrift Store Bus Tour 20 Thirty thrifters were able to shop until they dropped while supporting good causes within their
community! The purchases made at each stop go towards supporting Goodwill Industries of
Alberta’s mission to help Albertans with disabilities find and gain meaningful employment.Buying second-hand goods brings a new item into someone’s life while simultaneously
supporting Goodwill’s sustainability initiatives. Last year, Goodwill Industries of Alberta diverted over 19.6 million kg from local landfills.
Thrift Store Bus Tour 21 Shoppers at each stop were curious about how they can get in on the action. The thrifting party
bus was anticipated to be a one-time event BUT after listening to participants’ positive feedback
and receiving interest from those thrift hoppers that missed out, Goodwill hopes to bring back
the bus. An event that should be added to your thrift bucket list! -
Thrift Store Bus Tour
Hear me out….. a party bus but it stops at thrift stores.
Yes, you read that right, we are taking 30 thrifters across the city to various thrift stores to shop until they drop! With four stops, you will have time to visit three Goodwill locations, and one partner non-profit thrift store: Change is Good.
What do you get?
A FULL day of thrifting, and transportation so you can sit back and relax between stops. There will be special goodies at each stop, and the option to purchase lunch.
Bus Tour Stops:
- Plaza Goodwill
- Chinook Goodwill
- Beacon Heights Goodwill
- Change is Good
When:
Wednesday, August 17 from 12-5 p.m.
Where:
Pickup at Drop off at Goodwill Plaza
$10 each, only 30 available, purchase your tickets here.
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Thrifting Hall of Fame
Thrifting Hall of Fame
On Friday, May 6, Goodwill held the first-ever Thrifting Hall of Fame! With hundreds of entries, it was difficult to narrow it down to just 5 winners. We want to not only celebrate all the nominations but also thank you for submitting photos and stories of why you thrift! There was a great collection of stories and videos that were submitted from thrifters across the province.
Congratulations to all of the jaw-dropping, innovative, and inspirational winners. You all embody #thriftexcellence to the very core!
The Event
The event was held in Edmonton, Alberta at The Creative Hive. When we came across their venue, we knew they were the perfect fit as most of their furniture is thrifted from our Impact Centre down the street! We hosted all winners for a special dinner and awards ceremony to present them with
Goodwill hosted a special dinner and awards ceremony to recognize each winner and share more about our mission of helping Albertans with disabilities find and gain meaningful employment.
Mackenzie and Peter are both Goodwill Career Connection and Opportunity Accelerator graduates. They shared their stories and spoke about how Goodwill helped them obtain employment and volunteer opportunities.
The Winners
Congratulations to our first class!
Thrifting Hall of Fame 40
DIY of the Year: Charlene Keough
I started thrifting at a very young age. I grew up in a small town and had limited shopping options. So my sister would take me along to thrift stores with her friends!
My favorite Goodwill find is a pair of open-shelf nightstands. They were very dated and frankly just u-g-l-y but I knew they had so much potential and couldn’t leave them behind.
When thrifting the first thing I look for is furniture. Anything unique, antique, mid-century modern, and in decent shape. I am also always thrifting for “staging” decor for my furniture pieces. I love thrifting for artwork, brass figures, vases, wooden items, and milk glass.
Winning this award means so much to me. I absolutely love what I do and take such pride in my work so to have that recognized and appreciated feels wonderful. I am very honoured!
My Thrift Tip:
A thrift tip I have for someone just starting out would be to go early and go often! New things are put out every day and getting there early gives your first opportunity to find all the treasures.
Follow me:
Donor of the Year: Doreen Essihos
I started donating to Goodwill about 20 years ago, but donated a large amount last year. I share this award with my mother, Eva who passed away last year. I donated so many of her belongings, and frequented the donation centre so often I feel like I own a part of Goodwill!
My mother Eva had a lifetime of treasures and there were things that needed a place and a new beginning, and so off to Goodwill they went.
In addition to donating, I am also an avid thrifter. I love to find both useful and unique items, I’m always looking for a good bargain, and combining old with new!
My Thrift Tip:
My thrift tip is to always have an open mind in a thrift shop.
It really is a treasure hunt and I have found many treasures over the years and had some very lucky days. So go once a week!
Home Décor Hero: Heather + Ashleigh Bit
We love to thrift for the thrill and to find unique treasures. We try as hard as possible not to participate in buying anything new. Our mom, aka thrift queen, started taking us to the thrift store when we were little and introduced us to the magical world of thrifting, and we have been addicted ever since.
One of our favourite Goodwill finds is our antique Medalta crockpot, it’s beautiful! We mostly love to shop for home goods, as that’s where the magic happens! But we frequently thrift clothing as well!
Our Thrift Tip:
Take your time, be patient, manifest a list of what you would like to find, and go frequently. Some days will be more rewarding than others, but don’t give up, keep hunting.
Follow Us:
Fashionable Finds: Emilie Gagnon
I love thrifting because it gets me out of my head and becomes a scavenger hunt for beautiful pieces with history or a unique story. There are no rules when thrifting. I get in flow when I thrift and truly appreciate the full experience – from the sound of the metal hangers on the metal rack to the aisle traffic jams to the discovery of a beautiful 1960s tag I have never seen before.
Although I did not thrift as a child, in high school, I would go to vintage stores and feel the history. I have always been someone who loves shopping and who loves a deal.
It was only in 2019 that I discovered thrifting through fashion and style podcasts that opened my world up to a more sustainable way of living my dreams. I now only thrift – from decor to my closet, everything is secondhand and thrifted and I feel rejuvenated and relieved by it.
My Thrift Tip:
Go into the thrift store knowing what kind of prints and/or colours you are looking for! You can train your eye to only look at the pieces that fit within those parameters. Bring a measuring tape and compare to your own measurements. But remember, if the clothes don’t fit, it’s not your body that is wrong, it is the clothing.
Follow Me:
Kelton Libich- Vintage Finds
I love thrifting because it’s unique. You get to find items you would not see in a store and I mean it’s a bonus because the prices are lower than retail! I also love that Thrifting helps the environment and reduces waste.
I got into thrifting honestly by just going to a thrift store one day and I have been hooked ever since! I’m usually in a thrift store 1-3 times a week.
One of my favourite Goodwill finds was a vintage Disney cassette player that was brand new in the box! My personal style is a mix of vintage and trendy, I love a funky graphic tee, especially if it has Spider-Man on it! My style is influenced by lots of vintage trends as-well as bright fun colours.
My thrift Tip:
As silly as it sounds would be to look around the entire store slowly and not to skip out on any sections… who knows, maybe a treasure has been moved around to an area less looked upon!
Follow Me:
Honourary Donor of the Year: COLLEGE Hunks Hauling Junk
College HUNKS, is a proud partner of Goodwill and a contributor to Goodwill’s sustainability initiatives through donations. Last year, Goodwill in received an all-time record of over 830 thousand donations. This is all thanks to the generosity of Albertans.
College Hunks Hauling has partnered with Goodwill to assist donors in the greater Edmonton area who are unable to bring their donations to a Goodwill donation center. Our hauling partner will not only bring your donations to Goodwill, but they will also clear out your items that Goodwill is unable to accept and take them to another nonprofit or recycler. Congratulations on being our honourary Donor of the Year!
Book a pickup and learn more about College Hunks.
Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of each category!
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Spring Cleaning
Your Community. Your Goodwill.
Every day, Goodwill strengthens families and communities through the power of work and the dignity of a job.
During this year’s spring clean, it’s worth going through your closet and passing on things you no longer wear or need. Think of it as thrift karma and keep the cycle going. These outdated shirts, can be vintage pieces for someone else. You’re old appliances will clear up space on your counter after their gone. Your bell-bottom jeans can become costumes for theatre productions.
All these items will raise money and provide employment programs and opportunities for Albertans who are differently-abled. You’ll be supporting your community, through your Goodwill.
Your Donations.
Your donations make a positive impact! While your donations will provide employment opportunities, they will also make a positive impact on the environment.
If an item doesn’t find a new home through the traditional retail chain, Goodwill’s Sustainability Action Plan will ensure the item gets a second chance to bring someone else joy in their life or the item will be recycled responsibly.
Goodwill has close to a 90% diversion rate from the landfill and the organization as a whole diverts millions of kilograms every year!
Your Style.
Your style makes a difference for those with barriers! At the end of the day, it’s all about style. Have fun with it and branch out a little from your usual picks. It is a much cheaper and eco-conscious way of trying NEW trends. Look for clothing that goes together—that way you know you’ll actually be able to wear it.
Thrift items offer you a great opportunity to go highbrow-lowbrow, to mix vintage and modern, and to add some whimsy into your wardrobe. Shop for discarded prom dresses and pair them with sneakers and a jean jacket. Wear a gorgeous vintage jacket with a raggedy rock band t-shirt. Look for items that clash outrageously.
If you find a really great piece that’s a little worn out, don’t wear it with other old things, or your outfit will just look drab. Wear it with a brand new piece and turn its age into a statement.
Your DIY.
Your DIY project creates employment for people with disabilities! The truth is that anyone can be a good thrifter if they keep an open mind. It’s as simple as recognizing when an older piece needs a coat of paint, a little fix, or even just a little love.
Fabric: If you have basic sewing skills, look for fabric scraps to make for pillows, napkins, tablecloths, curtains, and any other project that could use a stash of mismatched prints.
Dining Tables: Smaller tables can be used in kitchens, dining rooms, or repurposed as a desk. If the table has a scuff or needs some DIY love, try sanding it and restyling it with chalk paint. It could turn in to the perfect farmhouse table!
Books: Not just for reading! Older hard cover books can be the perfect way to elegantly decorate your front entryway! Pair it with some re-purposed candle holders, decorative artwork and a family heirloom and you have the perfect welcoming piece to any house or condo.
Meet Your Community.
Our shoppers and our donors are what makes Goodwill, not just GOOD, but GREAT! Meet some people from your community to find out some great thrifting advice, tips and why they support our mission.
Mel and Family
Kenya
Nanoom
Nathan
Your Goodwill.
By supporting Goodwill, you’re supporting your community. In fact, 89cents of every dollar spent at Goodwill goes back into our mission of helping Albertans with disabilities find and gain meaningful employment!
Your old clothes can be someone’s bright future, so please make a difference in a real person’s life today by donating to Goodwill!
Find your nearest Goodwill today!
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The True Cost of Vandalism
The True Cost of Vandalism
Goodwill Industries of Alberta generates opportunities for people to achieve economic stability and build strong families and vibrant communities by offering job training, employment placement services and other community-based programs for people who have disabilities.
This spirit is now being challenged unfortunately, because of cases of vandalism at three different Goodwill locations this past month. We are saddened and frustrated because now some of our funds are being directed towards repairs and resources. Each broken window costs approximately $1,000, which greatly impacts our organization. Our team’s safety is also paramount, so we are allocating additional resources to ensure their health and safety.
Not only does it take funds away from helping Albertans with disabilities to find meaningful employment, but it also jeopardizes our ability to offer more programs to help even more people.
For example, we have implemented a new program this past year called the Opportunity Accelerator program. A program designed to find even more employment opportunities and job training for those with a disability.
Last year 130 Albertans with disabilities went through our programs to gain important job training. The amount of people we help increases every year and having to pay for unnecessary repairs diverts important funds to these programs and these people.
Goodwill works hard to be a safe place where visitors from all over the world come to enjoy. Goodwill is proud to call Alberta home.
Please do your part and report any unlawful activity to your local authorities. Together we will continue to make a positive impact.
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Six Thrift Store Date Night Ideas
SIX Thrift Store Date Night Ideas
Need some unique date nights to share with your significant other? Look no further then Goodwill! We’ve rounded up 6 unique date night ideas featuring your favorite thrift store: Goodwill!
#1 Outfit Challenge
Give yourselves a budget (it can be whatever you’d like, $25, $50 etc.) to create a “look” for the other person. You can have a lot of fun with this and go hunting for something the other person would actually wear, or you could go for the most “unique” look. At the end of the night, determine a winner between the two of you! Post the results on social media and tag us!
From @Styleandgracepreloved date night challenge 2020 #2 Puzzles/ Boardgames
Did you know that all of our thrift store locations have a games, puzzles and crafting section? We have often seen brand new in the box (with shrink wrap and all). Go with your partner and pick out a new to you board game, or puzzle to do together at home. Pick out some snacks, or order takeout and have fun!
#3 Find the Most Unique Item Challenge
Give each other the challenge to find the most unique item. If you want to put a time limit on it set a timer for 15 min or 30 min, and get to work! This will require you to really scour the store, and keep your eye open for something unique. Together decide who “won” with most unique item!
#4 Find/Purchase ONE Gift for the Other
Set a budget and go look for an item/gift that would be perfect for your partner. Check-out without them seeing it, go home, wrap it, and exchange the gifts with each other explaining why you got what you did.
#5 Paint Night/Create an Art Piece
Stretch those upcycling muscles and create some art with each other! Some ideas to get you started:
- Buy a canvas/art piece from Goodwill and paint over it with your own creation.
- Paint/decorate a piece of furniture with each other
- Grab a décor item and add some colour/creativity to it together (ideas could be: vase, lamp, wall décor item, garden piece, wine or beer glasses etc.).
#6 Thrift Store Scavenger Hunt
- Load the list on your phone, and head out to your local Goodwill for your date!
- Set a timer for 30 min, and take off looking for each item on the list.
Six Thrift Store Date Night Ideas 60 Which one will you try out this month?
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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.
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.
What does Goodwill mean to you?
Some things to consider about your contributions:
• You helped send over 150 Albertans through our Path to Employment.
• You’ve contributed to the more than 700,000 donations we received this past year.
• Through recycling and re-purposing we have diverted about 16million kilograms from landfills annually.
• 89 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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Waste Reduction Week
Waste Reduction Week celebrates its 20th year this month from October 18th until 24th! This program focuses on circular economy, resource efficiency, and waste reduction.
For the Goodwill team, it’s a no-brainer to celebrate and learn. We’re in the business of helping people through our mission services while caring for our planet by reducing our environmental footprint. We strive to be a model of how we can integrate sustainability practices and a culture of shared responsibility into every aspect of operations and services.
During Waste Reduction Week, we encourage our supporters to join us in this continuous journey of growth. Did you know that every time you shop or donate to your local Goodwill, you’re making a huge impact? Not just for the plant, but for the lives of Albertans with disabilities. 89 cents of every dollar spent in a Goodwill store in Alberta goes directly back into our volunteer, job skill training, and work placement programs for those facing barriers. Now that’s what we call a treat!
How Can I Celebrate?
Integrate thrifting into your spooky plans this year and join us in a #SustainableHalloween. At every Goodwill location across Alberta, we have sustainable Halloween displays filled with tons of items that can be repurposed for your parties, decorating, costumes, trick-or-treating, and more for you to choose from and create. For the entire #WasteReductionWeek Goodwill will post daily tips, tricks, and information on living a less wasteful life so go on, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
Costume Ideas
Take a look at some of these easy to create costumes! Who says you need to buy one-off pieces that you may never use again? Get the best bang for your buck at Goodwill and costume smarter, not harder with clothing you can wear again and again.
Ready to Halloween DIY, Read More Here: #GoodwillHalloween
Here are two costumes our team members put together using all thrift items (minus the mustache). Not only are these extremely timely and pop-centric costumes, but they’re completely reworkable to their everyday lives. From a business casual look on a fall day to a glammed ‘who run the world’ holiday party look, they’re both going to get a lot of return on these!
Halloween Decor
Goodwill has lots of Halloween decorations. You can find tons of spooky, cutesy, haunted, and playful decor options to help electrify your hallows eve dinner, party, or trick or treating setup at a fraction of the cost of pop-up Halloween stores. (psst, you pay no GST at our stores)
Pop into your local Goodwill with your family for a fun outing. You can all find random pieces to enhance your space and have everyone feel included. Your imagination is the limit, there are pieces like bowls and buckets for handing out candy or collecting, reusable plastic cups, bins to compost rotten leftovers, and lights for indoor and outdoor displays. Plus you’ll save money, which means MORE candy and you’ll be helping your environment. It’s estimated that less than 11% of plastics are recycled in Canada, that’s madness, but when you repurpose someone’s old treasures, you help increase that number.
Before you rush to box stores for fast fashion or decor, especially when it comes to Halloween and your everyday lifestyle, think about the end impact of your purchase. To learn more about #WasteReductionWeek and ways that you can contribute to making our world a greener space, check out the Recycling Council of Alberta & the official Waste Reduction Week page.
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How to shop at the AMAZING Edmonton Impact Outlet Store
The Blue Bin Experience at the AMAZING Edmonton Impact Centre!
Q: Ever wonder what happens to the items that don’t sell in our thrift stores?
A: The items are sent to our Amazing Impact Centre where they get sorted and have one more chance to find a new home for a fraction of the price!
If you haven’t been to the outlet store or are wondering how you go about getting your hands on some of those overlooked hidden gems, you’re missing out! Located at 11415 168 St. NW in Edmonton at the AMAZING Edmonton Impact Centre, this has become a thrifters paradise. Let us tell you about everything you need to know to prepare for your trip!
Step 1: The Layout
Scattered throughout the Outlet Store are Giant blue bins, with each bin containing a select group of items. One bin can contain a variety of records, while another bin can contain winter wear.
Step 2: Get ready to rumble!
Shoppers line up in the designated section, because every 25 minutes a new bin replaces an older bin and it’s first come, first serve for the items!
Step 3: Ready and GO!
Once the bin is in the designated area and it’s safe to shop, a Goodwill employee will give a signal or blow a whistle when shoppers can begin their shopping experience.
This is your chance to grab all of your thrift finds and items! Make sure you do a thorough search, this is the last chance anyone has to snag these items before they get recycled!
Put all your special finds in your cart and hop to the next bin! There are lots more unique pieces to discover!
Step 4: All thrifted out!
Once you’ve snagged your goods, head to the front to have your haul weighed!
Pricing is dependent on weight. If you’re under 50 lbs., it is $1.99 per pound, but if you’re over 50 lbs., it is only 99 cents per pound!
Please note, that there is special pricing for books, glassware and furniture to save you the most money!
Step 5: Do a happy dance!
Once you have paid and loaded up your thrift haul, do a happy dance! By shopping at Goodwill’s outlet store you not only snagged some amazing thrift finds but directly diverted items from a landfill and supported one GOOD mission! We’d say that’s something to celebrate!
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Goodwill Plaza GRAND OPENING July 17
Pull up your bootstraps and saddle because things are changing for the GREATER GOOD.
On Saturday July 17th at 10 a.m. during the last weekend of the Calgary Stampede, Goodwill is opening its newest location in Calgary!
Located at 9655 Macleod Trail SW, (formerly the Brick Plaza), the NEW Goodwill Plaza will officially welcome shoppers, donors and volunteers in a GRAND CELEBRATION of excitement!
Located just south of Glenmore Trail, this retail space has ample parking and will make your Goodwill experience one to remember.
For those of you who enjoy shopping, donating, and volunteering at the current Willow Park Macleod Trail store, you’ll appreciate the new location even more. The customer experience is enhanced by our improved operations.
This is a victory for everyone who visits Goodwill. When Goodwill grows, the organization can provide more opportunities for Albertans with disabilities. So let’s Giddy up!
We hope to see you at our newest store, Goodwill Plaza, on Saturday July 17th. Remember, with every donation and every retail purchase, you help us connect Albertans with disabilities to meaningful employment.
Goodwill is a non-profit and a registered charity dedicated to providing meaningful employment and career development training for Albertans with disabilities. We reinvest 89% of revenue generated from the sale of donated items in our thrift stores.
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Goodwill Myth Busting
Let’s bust some common myths about Goodwill Industries of Alberta
Goodwill Industries of Alberta strives to make a difference in the lives of those with disability through the power of work and the dignity of a job.
Unfortunately, throughout our legacy of GOOD and advancements of our mission, there have been some speculations of donation deception, thrift store falsehood and non-profit perjury surrounding our brand and we are here to set the record straight!
We pride ourselves on being an open book and don’t keep any secrets hidden away in some dark corner of the closet (probably surrounded by ready to donate items). So, if you have a question, ask us! We will be happy provide any answer you seek while most likely reminding you of our weekly tag colour or guiding you through the racks on racks of your next favourite preloved item.
Our big blue doors are always open and to prove just how committed we are to transparency, let’s shatter some superstitions and get kicked off with some of the GOOD stuff.
Myth
We love pie, that’s why we keep the largest piece. Only 12% of the companies profit goes towards it’s charity work.
Fact
Actually, 89% goes back to our mission of providing individuals with disabilities the opportunity to enhance their lives through meaningful employment. This includes many of our initiatives like our Path to Employment programs, Goodwill at Work programs and our Sustainability Action Plan.
Myth
Fighting stance everyone! Goodwill has actively fought against legislative proposals to raise minimum wage.
Fact
All of our team members are paid the minimum wage or higher, according to Alberta Labour Laws.
Myth
“Oh say can you see…” Goodwill is operated out of the US. Profits made do not stay in the Great White North.
Fact
We have maple syrup in our blood! We are guided by an Albertan Board of Directors and we began our mission back in 1963, right here in Edmonton! All proceeds stay within Alberta and contribute to our mission.
Myth
Goodwill does not help our communities.
Fact
We offer charitable service programs through our Career Connections program, while supporting community initiatives like You Can Ride 2, Big Bin Events in Edmonton/Calgary and Recycling initiatives throughout Alberta
Myth
We hate formalities. We are NOT a registered charity.
Fact
We are a registered charity. In fact, we have been a registered charity with the CRA since 1967. You can view more here: https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/hacc/srch/pub/dsplyRprtngPrd?q.srchNm=goodwill+industries+of+alberta&q.stts=0007&selectedCharityBn=118941764RR0001&dsrdPg=1
Myth
Our CEO (and real person), Mark Curran, is an American who makes over 2.3 million dollars per year from Goodwill.
Fact
Mark Curran? Who’s he? We don’t know who Mark Curran is but we do know that he is most definitely not our CEO and has not worked for any Goodwill…EVER. Goodwill is governed by a Board of Directors right here in Alberta and our President/CEO is a local Albertan dedicated to advancing the mission.
Myth
Goodwill takes the best donated books and resells them to other organizations.
Fact
ALL donated books are available in Goodwill thrift stores.
Well there you have it! Mystery solved. Case cracked. Order restored. The GOOD news is, we are always ready and willing to answer any of your questions surrounding our mission and want to make sure you know how your donations impact the community for the better.
Wanna be in the loop on the best of the myth busts? Make sure to follow us on social where your kept up to date with all of the fun factual things going on around our stores and the best of the best in regards to the good stuff.
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Spring Cleaning
Give Goods. For Good.
You donate, Albertans with disabilities work.
Every day, Goodwill strengthens families and communities through the power of work and the dignity of a job. Our award winning social enterprise changes lives for the better AND diverts millions of kilograms of waste from local landfills each year.
During this year’s spring clean, when you are straightening up your closets consider Goodwill. You can donate your unwanted clothing and used household goods to make a difference in the lives of Albertans with disabilities.
Your old clothes can be someone’s bright future, so please make a difference in a real person’s life today by donating to Goodwill!
Good Looks. For Good.
Boot cut jeans are making a comeback and so are those vintage, 1970’s popped collared dress shirts. So why pay full price for a “vintage look” when you can find the real deal at your local Goodwill.
There isn’t just one look either, as you can be whoever you want to be. You just have to use your imagination.
One day, you’ll be able to walk the red carpet at the Oscars, while the next day you’re getting all your gear ready for the ‘Battle of Alberta’ figuring out which side you’ll be going for. Will you be blue and orange or will you be red and yellow? The choices define us and make us feel good in the process.
Re-introduce to the world, mom’s old sunglasses, or dad’s old bow tie. You’ll stand out from the crowd and have more money afterwards to splurge on something else. Plus you’re making a difference, as 89 cents of every dollar spent at Goodwill goes towards programs that help those who need help the most. This is a win-win situation, because you’ll be doing a lot GOOD in your community.
Feel good. Look good. Be good. Spread the Goodwill.
