## Goodwill of Orange County ##

Goodwill Needs Donations Now More Than Ever
Remember to Donate to Goodwill as You Clean Out Your Closet

Santa Ana, CA -- Goodwill of Orange County understands that people are tightening their budgets and stretching their dollars. In these tough economic times, local Goodwill sales are surprisingly lower than expected, while more people are coming to the non-profit organization for help finding a job. The sale of donations through its 18 thrift stores plus its online auction venue shopgoodwill.com, translates into critical job training programs as well as other programs for the community that benefit thousands of people each year.

Because fewer people are moving, the organization is finding that the flow of donated goods is down. During tough economic times sometimes people are reluctant to part with clothing and household goods, according to Anne Martin, Vice President of Operations/Sales for Goodwill of Orange County. Meanwhile the organization is working hard to keep up with the increased demand for its job training programs and career services as the state unemployment rates reaches over 10 percent.

"Goodwill cannot provide these vital services without donations to sell in our stores. We are asking people to be generous this spring as they clean out their closets and donate gently used clothing, household goods as well as working or nonworking electronic waste at one of the 25 attended donation centers located throughout Orange County," said Martin.

Martin notes that shopping at Goodwill is another way of making an investment in the community because 91cents of each dollar Goodwill spends helps fund job training programs and other support services for local men and women with physical, mental or emotional disabilities, individuals who lack education or job experience, and others who want to work or are looking for a better job. "People know that they can find quality items at affordable prices at Goodwill. We’ve always seen a variety of shoppers at Goodwill stores, from the green shopper who wants to buy recycled goods to fashion lovers who know they can find status labels at affordable prices – as well as those who simply want to make their dollar go farther."

About Goodwill of Orange County

Goodwill of Orange County is a nonprofit organization with its Main Campus located at 410 North Fairview in Santa Ana. Now in its 85th year, Goodwill of Orange County has provided thousands of people with disabilities and other barriers the opportunity to achieve their highest levels of personal and economic independence through competitive employment. Goodwill of Orange County has consistently received a four-star rating, based on organizational efficiency and organizational capacity from Charity Navigator, America's premier independent charity evaluator. For more information on Goodwill of Orange County and its education, training and employment programs and services, please contact Katherine Ransom, Communications Manager at (714) 547-6308 ext. 308 or katheriner@ocgoodwill.org. Information can also be found at www.ocgoodwill.org

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