The final days of the year are some of the busiest for many area non-profit organizations, including Goodwill.
The number of donations received at Goodwill Donation Express Centers skyrocket during the final week of the year. Last year, donations of clothing and household goods rose by nearly 50 percent compared to other days of the year.
The end-of-year donation rush is prompted partially by people cleaning out their closets, attics and garages to make room for holiday gifts. Other donors also are seeking last-minute tax deductions.
Officials at Goodwill said each donation helps fund programs throughout the year.
“Donated household goods or other gently used items are sold in retail stores and proceeds from the sales fund Goodwill’s mission of providing job training and employment opportunities for people across the area,” said Chris Fletcher, PR and Communications Manager for Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee. “This year to date we have assisted more than 34,000 people in the career solutions center and put more than 14,000 of those to work.”
At the donation center in Bellevue, extra employees were on hand to handle the rush. Cars lined up to drop off items ranging from clothes to toys and electronics.
Goodwill recommends you prepare an inventory of your items to be donated before going to the donation centers, remove clothes from hangers, and ask for a receipt for your taxes.
There are more than 75 Donations Express Centers located throughout the 48-county territory, and most are open seven days a week. For more information visit the donate section at giveit2goodwill.org.
