CONTACT:  Pat Boelter, Vice President, Marketing, 262-970-6047
Cell: 414-840-1813

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH AN
END-OF-YEAR TAX WRITE-OFF
Computers are now accepted at Goodwill

December 20, 2007—The holiday season leave your wallet a bit lighter? You can get a little money back from Uncle Sam by donating gently-used clothing and other unwanted items to Goodwill Industries for an end-of-year tax write-off.

By cleaning your closets and garages, you get more than a tax deduction. Goodwill uses the revenue from your donations to train people for careers in food service, business careers, customer service, and forklift operating to name a few. Most importantly, 90% of all revenue is used for participant programs and services.

“End the holiday season and start the new year off right by giving the gift of hope,” says John L. Miller, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago. “Every donation to Goodwill helps make 2008 a better year for thousands of individuals who need job training and other Goodwill career services.”

Goodwill accepts clothing, household items, toys, and computers. Accepting computer donations is new for your local Goodwill.

“Our donors have said they want a convenient place to donate no longer needed computers. So Goodwill listened,” said Vicki Holschuh, vice president, Retail Services. “We are excited to be partnering with The Fortune Group, one of the largest asset recovery firms in the entire country,” she continued. “Just like Goodwill, they are dedicated to environmentally friendly methods of recycling!”

Starting on December 24, Goodwill Store & Donation Centers will now accept the following computer components: hard drive/tower, monitor, mouse, keyboard and printer. “These items won’t be sold in our stores but the components will be salvaged, which will greatly reduce what goes into landfill,” Holschuh continued.

Various organizations benefit by processing your donations to generate money for services and programs. However, Goodwill is reminding donors to carefully consider the manner in which they donate used clothing and other household items this holiday season. All too often people simply want to quickly clear out the stuff they can no longer use, and drop their unwanted items at the nearest spot assuming they are making a charitable donation. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case.

Fraudulent charities often modify the names of established groups, so be sure to read carefully the name of the charity before giving and avoid donating to organizations that can’t immediately provide you with information about the causes they are asking you to support.

When you give to Goodwill, your donation stays in your community. And, 90% of the revenue from the sale of your donation in our stores, is used for participant programs and services.

This holiday season make a difference with your donations. Think as carefully about where you donate the things you can no longer use as you do about where you donate your money. And, always give to charities you know and trust.

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