Driving Home Goodwill Donations, One Bag at a Time

Have you ever met someone and then realized that although it started out as a chance meeting, something good was going to materialize? I was out on a routine Listing Appointment, visiting a lady whose current listing had recently expired. I was hoping that she would decide to re-list her home, and that she would choose me to represent her as her Realtor. We conducted our business, and then, as I was walking out the door, we began to speak about what she does for a living….Suzanne wears her passion on her sleeve, and it wasn’t long before she had me convinced that teaming up, we could do some good for Goodwill. Suzanne is the Public Relations Manager for Goodwill Industries, representing the Middle Tennessee area. Listening to her speak about what Goodwill does for the community, how it gives back, how it educates and hires those individuals who might not find work elsewhere, I knew that I wanted to help…and as luck may have it, I am the Chairman for our Culture Committee at Keller Williams, responsible for finding new ways to let our agents give back to the very community that supports us as Realtors.

My fellow committee members and I took a field trip to the distribution center and were amazed at the number of workers it takes to run an organization like this. It was explained to us how the clothes and other household articles are sorted, tagged for resale, and prepared for shipment to Middle Tennessee Goodwill stores. This is a huge effort. All of these employees have a job because of ordinary citizens like you and me who make donations to Goodwill. When people donate and shop at Goodwill, they make an economic investment in their communities.

Donations are down this year and I am asking for your help. Keller Williams Realty is having a donation drive the entire month of April, 2009. This is the perfect time to clean out your closets and get rid of unwanted clothing and small household items….perhaps you are moving and need to get rid of some furniture. Call me…I will make arrangements for Goodwill to pick up any large items that you want to donate. You can drop off bags of clothing at my office in Brentwood or just call me…I will come to you.

This is the time in our Country’s existence when we need to be there for our fellow man. We need to say I have more than I can use…let me share. Please, look through your closets and share….

Until next time….