In a continuing effort to make it easier for people to donate their gently used clothing and household items, Rappahannock Goodwill has opened three new donation centers. The newest Donation Centers are located in front of Walmart at Washington Square Shopping Center in Stafford, Globe and Laurel restaurant on Route One in North Stafford, and on Tidewater Trail at River Club Shopping Center. These three locations join the other 14 donation centers already operating throughout our area.
The new donation centers are easy to see with their colorful design on a truck trailer announcing, “Your Donations Are Changing Lives”. Ted Smith, vice president of donated goods for Rappahannock Goodwill, says the new sites are needed to make it more convenient for people to donate. “Shopping Centers and other high-traffic locations are very convenient for people. Because we locate donation centers in these areas, people don’t have to travel so far to make their clothing and household donations”. Each donation center has a Goodwill employee on hand to collect donated goods and provide a receipt. “It’s very important that people get a tax-deductable receipt. That’s why our donation centers have employees to make sure everyone who wants it gets their receipt”, says Smith.
Smith points out that there are many unattended donation boxes sprouting up like weeds in the area. He says donors should be cautious. “There are some worthwhile charitable organizations that are soliciting donations in the area. Unfortunately, there are also some that are not true charitable organizations and are not substantially assisting anyone”. Smith says with the Attended Donation Centers that Goodwill operates, people can feel confident their donations are helping people right here in our local area.
For more information on Goodwill donation sites, call 540-371-3070 or visit www.FredGoodwill.org.
###
Rappahannock Goodwill Industries is a private not-for-profit organization that serves the City of Fredericksburg and a 12-county region. It provides work opportunities and job training to people with barriers to employment, particularly those with disabilities. Its operations include a commercial laundry, off-site custodial and administrative services, an outsourcing and contract facility, 8 Goodwill stores, 17 donation centers, and 3 Job Help Centers.