Goodwill® Goes For a World Record this Earth Day

LOS ANGELES, April 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Goodwill Southern California (GSC), in partnership with Universal Studios Hollywood(SM) and NBC4, is hosting a massive donation drive on April 21 and 22, to set a new World Record for most usable goods donations received in a 24-hour period.

"In celebration of Earth Day, Goodwill wants to raise awareness of the environmental impact donations have on the planet. Donating helps to keep millions of pounds of usable goods from ending up in landfills, and helps to save resources through re-use as opposed to new product manufacturing. We can then sell those items in order to provide valuable employment services to people in need," said Doug Barr, GSC President and CEO.

Donors can bring their new or gently-used items and e-waste (no furniture, mattresses, paper or plastic) to Universal Studios Hollywood from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, and Sunday, April 22. Or they can drop off items at any of GSC's 69 retail stores or 44 attended donation centers. (Locations and a list of acceptable donation items can be found online at GoodwillSoCal.org).

The weekend long event will offer giveaways and prizes, including a Kindle Fire, GSC gift certificates, amazon.com gift certificates and more. The event will top off with a free, outdoor performance by recording artist B. Howard at "5 Towers," Universal CityWalk's new high-tech, outdoor concert venue, on Sunday, April 22, at 5 p.m.

Goodwill Industries International President and CEO Jim Gibbons will introduce B. Howard and address the audience prior to the performance.

"For more than a century, Goodwill has linked protecting the environment to helping people earn paychecks, support their families and strengthen their communities," said Gibbons. "This ground breaking event provides the perfect platform to commit to a green practice and create opportunities for people with disabilities and disadvantages who face challenges to finding employment."

About Goodwill Southern California
Transforming lives through the power of work, we serve people with disabilities or other vocational challenges, as well as businesses, by providing education, training, work experience and job placement services.

In 2011, GSC served 107,802, including individuals with disabilities and vocational disadvantages and 7,140 businesses. We placed 9,596 people in new jobs through programs and services offered at three campuses, four WorkSource centers and 23 job service sites throughout Los Angeles (north of Rosecrans Ave.), Riverside and San Bernardino counties. GSC supports its mission of "Transforming lives through the Power of Work" with proceeds generated from 69 retail stores and 44 attended donation centers. Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator has awarded GSC its highest four-star ranking for 11 consecutive years; largely due to the fact GSC spends 93 percent of its budget on programs and services. Committed to caring for the earth, last year GSC diverted 53.6 million pounds of reusable or recyclable goods from landfills. Goodwill is Good for Everyone!

For more information about Goodwill Southern California, please call (888) 4-GOODWILL or visit www.goodwillsocal.org.

About Goodwill Industries International:
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of North America's top five most valuable and recognized nonprofit brands as well as a leading social services enterprise (Source: Cone Nonprofit Power Brand 100). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in nearly 2,600 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2011, more than four million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill channels 84 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services. To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Facebook: GoodwillIntl. Twitter: @GoodwillIntl.

SOURCE Goodwill Southern California