During this busy holiday season, we are mindful of honoring family commitments, meeting financial obligations, and finding just the right gift for everyone on our list. We’d also like to give back to our community – if only we could fit it into our schedule and budget. Fortunately, Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina now makes it easier than ever for you to help others by donating clothing and household goods before the end of the year.
Donating used goods is one of the fastest and easiest ways to help the community. Here are three reasons why:
1. Local Donations Have Local Impact
Unemployment is still a major problem across our region, and we all know of someone who is struggling to make ends meet. At Goodwill, we take the items you donate and sell them in our retail stores. Of every dollar, 89 cents goes directly into job training and placement services for people right here in our community. That means your donations help put our friends and neighbors back on the path to full employment.
2. A Fresh Start
The items you donate to Goodwill help others who are less fortunate by giving them a fresh start. Making donations to Goodwill also helps you dispose of used goods that are clogging up your closets and garages. Parents can even encourage children to give back this holiday season by donating one used toy for every new item they receive from Santa.
3. A Head Start on Tax Season
It’s never too soon to be thinking of how to save on your tax bill. By helping others this holiday season, you could also be helping yourself. That’s because items donated on or before December 31 could be counted as charitable deductions on your 2021 returns. Just visit the Goodwill Industries International website at www.goodwill.org and view the Valuation Guide for Goodwill Donors to determine which items are tax deductible. Check with your tax preparer to make sure you are eligible to claim charitable deductions.
“Donating unwanted items to Goodwill is a convenient and effective way to help people in our community,” said Jaymie Eichorn, Goodwill VP of Marketing and Communications. “Not only does donating locally help put our friends and neighbors back to work, it can also benefit those who make donations, so it’s a win-win for everyone”.
Goodwill will have additional staff at its donation locations on Thursday, December 30 and Friday, December 31, to handle increased traffic and ensure a quick and convenient experience for donors. Find the donation center nearest you.