Goodwill Seeks End of Year Donations

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Dec. 26, 2013 - PRLog -- As 2013 comes to a close, Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. is hoping people will be cleaning out their closets and homes and bringing in their gently-used items to their local Goodwill Retail & Donation Centers.

“The week between Christmas and New Year’s is, traditionally, one of our busiest donation weeks of the season,” says Madison Mitchell, a spokesperson for Goodwill.  “People donate to make room for all of their new gifts, and because we’re a nonprofit, they know they can get a tax deduction if they donate before December 31.”

Goodwill provides life-changing opportunities through job training, transportation assistance, housing, education, and other services for people with disabilities and disadvantages.  The agency anticipates assisting more than 35,000 individuals in 2013.  The majority of the funding for these programs comes from the resale of donated items.

“In 2013, we’ve been able to expand our programs and services,” continues Mitchell. “Because of our donors and shoppers we were able to help more people than ever before.”

Goodwill partners with both Dell and Microsoft to safely accept computer donations.

Because Goodwill is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, donations to Goodwill (both cash and non-cash) qualify for a federal income tax deduction.  However, donations must be made by 6:00 p.m., when stores close, on December 31, 2013 in order to be eligible for a 2013 income tax deduction..

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. serves Collier, Charlotte, Lee, Hendry and Glades counties.  Programs include Goodwill’s L.I.F.E. Academy, a charter school for students with intellectual disabilities ages 11 through 22, Job-Link career training and placement services, and income-sensitive housing for people with disabilities and senior citizens.

To learn more about Goodwill’s programs and services or for a complete list of Goodwill’s Southwest Florida locations and store hours, visit www.goodwillswfl.org.