May 20, 2007 3 min read

The Friends of Goodwill are again preparing a variety of arts and crafts items for its annual fundraising show and sale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 9 at the Uniontown Country Club. The Friends of Goodwill are members of the community who want to help Goodwill Industries of Fayette County achieve its mission by giving of their time, talents and energy. Friends of Goodwill is also open for others who would like to volunteer their time to help the group reach its goal.

For more information about joining the Friends of Goodwill, or to receive information about the upcoming annual craft sale and luncheon, call Barb Holland at 724-438-2128. Interested people may also attend the next meeting at 2 p.m. May 21 at the Goodwill facility on Connellsville Street, Uniontown.

“The Friends of Goodwill will present a wide variety of beautiful items, as well as many tasty holiday treats this year” said Jacqueline Mitchell, vice president of Goodwill Industries of Fayette County. “Last year alone, they presented Goodwill with over $10,000. In the past, we purchased food service equipment to support a new job training program for Goodwill clients who wish to work in the food service industry. We are now able to serve hot lunches to our staff and clients, while providing an opportunity for clients to learn skills that can easily transfer to the competitive job market. Our clients are now employable in a variety of positions, such as food handling and preparation, dish washer, cashier and customer service (waiter/waitress).”

Goodwill Industries’ mission is to help people improve their quality of life through work and related services, Mitchell said. Specifically, Goodwill Industries of Fayette County helps local people who have mental or physical disabilities get the training they need to obtain meaningful work. Nearly half of Goodwill’s programs are funded by Goodwill’s retail stores that sell donated clothing and household goods. Other businesses, including auto auctions, production and contract services and recycling centers, also help to support the not-for-profit agency.

“The Friends of Goodwill play a huge role in raising funds to purchase big-ticket items – such as the food service equipment – that enhance the agency’s job training programs,’ Mitchell said. Since its’ founding in 1989, the Friends of Goodwill has donated more than $40,000 to help support Goodwill training programs, she added. “In the past six years, the “Friends” have donated more than 18,000 hours of their time crafting and painting items for their annual events,’ Mitchell said.

Friends of Goodwill’s craft workshop is located in the Goodwill/Fayette headquarters at 40 – 46 Connellsville St., Uniontown, but many of the members work on items at their homes. Several members of the Great Meadows Garden Club have recently joined the group and are helping create items for the sale, Mitchell said. At present there are more than 12 active members.

“We need people who have the interest, talent, time, energy, and commitment to make a positive difference in our community,” Mitchell said. “Goodwill is a vibrant, growing organization with a successful history in Fayette County. We want to continue building our services through the Friends, and we need the community’s support to do so.”