Recent Snow Storm Impacts Donations to Goodwill

Recent snow falls and colder temperatures have resulted in a decline in donations to Goodwill. There is a current need for clothing for men, women, and children.

"Donations are the lifeline of our organization," states Mindy Boyd, Vice President of Donated Goods. "The sale of donated items in Goodwill retail stores supports our mission by helping to fund job training and employment programs to help individuals in the community get back to work. When the community choses to donate to Goodwill, it ensures that these services are not impacted in the future."

In 2015, revenues generated in Goodwill stores enabled Goodwill to provide training, employment, and support services to over 45,000 individuals and help nearly 4,300 find jobs in the community. Goodwill's service to the community is possible because of the support to those who donate, shop, volunteer, and advocate  for the organization. When you support your local Goodwill, you also support your community.

For more information on donations or job training, contact:

Elizabeth Milne, Marketing and Community Relations Manager

Email: [email protected]

Office: (540) 581.0620 ext. 174 | Cell Phone: (540) 613.2481

The Roanoke Community Garden Association is now

accepting plot registrations for the 2016 growing season at the Growing Goodwill Community Garden. Registrations are on a first-come, first-serve basis and cost is $25.

"The existing garden provides garden space to 30 area families, many of the previous gardeners have lived within walking distance," states Mark Powell, Director and Founder of the Roanoke Community Garden Association. "Families can grow healthy, organic produce affordably on these plots to share with friends and family, enriching community health."

"We see the Growing Goodwill Garden as a way to bring the community together and also to allow those on a limited budget the opportunity to grow their own food so they can spend their money on other needed items," states Bruce Phipps, President and CEO of Goodwill. "We are excited to be entering into the third growing season and to also watch the growth of the food forest in the spring."

In 2015, RCGA redesigned the layout of the Growing Goodwill Garden. Plots are 4.5' x 30' and mulch pathways have been created. Applications are now being accepted. Interested gardeners should contact Heather O'Bryan at the RCGA.

Registration Dates:
3pm, Saturday, February 6th, Roanoke Main Library
12-3pm, Tuesday, February 9th, RCGA Office in Grandin

To register for the Growing Goodwill Garden, contact:

Heather O'Bryan Roanoke Community Garden Association [email protected]

For more information about the Growing Goodwill Garden, contact:

Elizabeth Milne, Marketing and Community Relations Manager

Email: [email protected]

Office: (540) 581.0620 ext. 174 | Cell Phone: (540) 613.2481

Good Choice Companions Gives Families Peace of Mind (Roanoke and Salem)

Good Choice Companions, a division of Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, is committed to providing quality companion and personal care services to individuals in Roanoke and Salem who need assistance to remain independent. Qualified and trained companions provide services to seniors and other individuals who need extra assistance; helping them feel comfortable and allowing them to remain independent in their home.

"We offer services that help individuals with a wide variety of needs," states Angela Stanfill, Director of Good Choice Companions. "We are not simply a 'companion service.' Good Choice Companions provides hands-on care to those who need it as well. This brings peace of mind to family members that their loved ones are not only not alone, but they are also being taken care of."

Services provided by Good Choice Companions range from medication reminders, transportation for appointments and errands, to bathing, dressing, toileting, and other personal hygiene services, as well as transferring.

For more information on Good Choice Companions, click here.

For more information on Good Choice Companions contact:

Angie Stanfill, Director of Companion Care, Good Choice Companions

Email: [email protected]

Cell: (540) 632.1389

Goodwill Invites the Media to Attend a Real Goodwill Tour  (Roanoke)

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys is inviting members of the media to attend a "Real Goodwill" tour to learn about our organization's impact on the community. Thanks to your continued support, more people in our community are aware of the services provided by Goodwill to help youth, adults, and seniors find employment or gain greater independence.

During the tour, you will hear from volunteers, family of program participants, and Goodwill leadership about the "Real Goodwill." Individuals that have gained greater independence after participating in Goodwill's training and employment programs will also tell their stories. The tour is a great way to gain future story ideas and learn more about services available in our community.

"Real Goodwill" tours take place twice a month and require prior registration as space is very limited.

Tour Information:

All tours begin at 8:30am and last one hour.

Tour Location:

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys

Roanoke Jobs Campus

2502 Melrose Avenue NW, Suite B, Roanoke, VA 24017

Upcoming Tour Dates:

Thursday, February 4th

Wednesday, February 17th

For more information on the "Real Goodwill" tour, click here.

For more information on Real Goodwill Tours or to sign up, contact:

Elizabeth Milne, Marketing and Community Relations Manager

Email: [email protected]

Office: (540 581.0620 ext. 174  |  Cell Phone: (540) 613.2481 

• Job Fairs
• English as a Second Language Classes
• Computer Classes
• Job Readiness Seminars
• Job Clubs
• And More

• February 4th, 8:30am
• February 17th, 8:30am
• March 3rd, 8:30am

• February 9th, 10am - 12pm, SMS Staffing
• February 11th, 10am - 12pm, Atlas Logistic
• February 18th, 10am - 12pm, Care Advantage
• February 23rd, 10am - 12pm, Action Personnel
• February 26th, 2 - 4pm, Love My Job Event

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, a United Way partner organization headquartered in Roanoke, serves 31 counties and 13 cities in the New River, Roanoke, and Shenandoah Valleys. Its mission is to help people and families in our community achieve a better life through work and independence. In 2015, Goodwill assisted over 45,000 individuals and in this difficult employment market placed nearly 4,300 people into jobs in our community.