Back-to-school efforts through Goodwill

To the Editor:

As our children prepare to go back to school, parents have the opportunity to teach them a valuable life lesson: What to do with the things they no longer need.

Before purchasing those much-needed sneakers, clothes and supplies, parents can take the time with their kids to sift through the things they've outgrown and decide whether they can be donated to Goodwill.

"When families donate to Goodwill, children learn that their gently used items can help people in their community," said Bill Tennis, CEO of Wabash Valley Goodwill Industries. "At Goodwill, we sell donations in our stores, and the revenues go to fund job training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities, those who lack education and work experience, and others facing challenges to finding employment."

Not only is donating to and shopping at Goodwill good for people, it's great for the planet because it diverts items from landfills. One of the greatest lessons we can teach our children is to be socially conscious citizens who care for their communities.

To help kids calculate the positive impact of their Goodwill donations, visit the Donation Impact Calculator (patent pending).

William Tennis

Executive Director

Wabash Valley Goodwill Industries

Terre Haute