Fall

2003

A community newsletter from Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, Inc.

issue no. 4 published bi-annually

Inside Message from the President

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Goodwill receives top ratings

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Leave a Legacy

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Expansion underway in Holland

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Girl Scouts “Bag it up”

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Good Bites

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MRS hosts appreciation dinner

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Capital Campaign Donors

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Pledge your support

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Online auction site

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Guests celebrate at pre-dedication open house “Thank goodness for Goodwill Industries,” said L.J. “Midge” Verplank during his heartfelt speech at Goodwill’s Pre-Dedication Open House on July 9. Hosted by Honorary Working to Build New Lives Campaign Co-Chairs Pat and Chuck Johnson, the evening was a chance for cabinet members, friends, and special guests to celebrate the newly remodeled headquarters on Apple Avenue with “sneak preview” tours of the facility, food, and refreshments. At the conclusion of the event, Midge Verplank shared the life story of his late daughter Mary Lynn, who was enrolled in Goodwill’s Work Activity Program. He challenged others to give generously to the capital campaign, which still falls short of its $1.5 million goal. Midge and his wife Ausma extended their already generous pledge another two years, putting the total amount raised for the campaign well over the million dollar mark.

Guests enjoy gourmet food generously donated by Above & Beyond Catering.

In appreciation for the Verplanks’ gift, the new Life and Work Skills Classroom has been named in memorial after Mary Lynn. (All gifts of $10,000 or more are eligible for naming opportunities.) Approximately $460,000 still needs to be raised by December 1 or the campaign will have to forfeit a $150,000 challenge grant from The Kresge Foundation. To help, see page 7. ■

Our Mission to provide work opportunities and skill development for people with barriers to employment

Honoring Mary Lynn at Goodwill’s Pre-Dedication Open House: grandmother Lydia Verplank, foster sister Shannon Dager, host Patricia Johnson, foster mother Darlene Dager, and father Midge Verplank.

Message from the President “Success for all organizations depends on the degree to which they can build trust and strengthen confidence in their integrity among the public, partners, regulators, and customers.” — Frank Vogl, Vogl Communications, Inc.

Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, Inc.

Dear Friends: Board of Directors CHAIR

James Parker

Over the course of the last couple of years, news of corporate corruption and mismanagement has undermined trust in corporate America. The challenge to grow and strengthen a culture of ethical behavior is a priority for our nation’s for-profit and not-for-profit organizations alike.

FIRST VICE CHAIR

Bonnie Krueger SECOND VICE CHAIR

Paul Gilbert TREASURER

Edgar Hunt

Goodwill Industries has pioneered one of the most remarkable stories of successful philanthropy and is consistently ranked among the top charitable organizations in the world today by national publications and industry watchdog groups.

SECRETARY

Steven Wenk Anthony Blair Steve Bolhuis Kelly Burns Richard Dolack Bernard Fisher William Grant Annette Jack Maryann Johnson Robert Johnson Karen Kayes Hung Liang Gregory Pittman James Rynberg Charles Timmer Clinton Todd Hugh Tyler

Goodwill Industries of West Michigan has long understood that our reputation is tied to our stewardship to those we serve and the larger community that supports us. In light of these cautious times, Goodwill’s voluntary board of directors and management have recently redoubled their vigilance and good governance efforts to ensure continued trust and service to West Michigan. Underscoring this commitment, is Goodwill’s recent achievement of a three-year national accreditation award from CARF, the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission. I give thanks again to our many friends and donors for putting their faith and trust in Goodwill. Your support of our community campaign goes beyond brick and mortar — it is a solid investment for continued years of care and service to persons with barriers to employment.

PRESIDENT

Richard Carlson Corporate Headquarters

Very truly yours,

271 East Apple Avenue Muskegon, MI 49442 Phone (231) 722-7871 Fax (231) 728-6408 www.goodwillwm.org

Richard J. Carlson

Workforce Development Center

765 West Norton Avenue Muskegon, MI 49441 Phone (231) 739-9010 Fax (231) 830-0005

Accredited by CARF, The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission

Member Agency

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President Richard Carlson

Goodwill receives top ratings Goodwill Industries of West Michigan (GIWM) rated within the top 25 agencies, in four separate categories, in Goodwill Industries International’s (GII) recently released Annual Statistical Report for 2002. This executive summary and analysis is based on compiled data collected from 174 Goodwills throughout the United States and Canada. For 2002, GIWM ranked: • 20th in the total number of people served (5,822 people) • 16th in retail program expense vs. revenue (67.8 percent) • 22nd in sales per capita of assigned territory ($7.83) • 21st in total operating revenue per capita of assigned territory ($13.41) “We are extremely proud of our service and performance results,” said GIWM President Richard Carlson. “When you compare

In 2002, GIWM provided employment and training services to 5,822 people.

our total number of persons served to other organizations on the list — representing large, densely populated areas such as Boston, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, it’s astounding. The numbers also reflect the strong support Total Number Served 2002 of our stores 1. New York, NY 58,739 2. Indianapolis, IN 55,239 and donation 3. St. Petersburg, FL 51,697 centers by the 4. Colorado Springs, CO 29,770 5. Pittsburg, PA 25,208 generous West 6. Orlando, FL 19,442 Michigan com7. Macon, GA 17,833 8. Johnstown, PA 14,026 munity, as well 9. San Antonio, TX 14,020 as our dedica10. Jacksonville, FL 10,847 10,664 tion to cost effi- 11. Milwaukee, WI 12. Menasha, WI 9,631 ciencies and 13. West Palm Beach, FL 8,011 channeling 14. Detroit, MI 6,581 Portland, OR 6,541 funds back into 15. 16. Denver, CO 6,524 our mission.” 17. Atlanta, GA 6,305 5,972 GII is consis- 18. Los Angeles, CA 19. Boston, MA 5,970 tently ranked as 20. Muskegon, MI 5,822 21. Lufkin, TX 5,388 one of the top 22. Charlotte, NC 5,368 ten nonprofits 23. Charleston, SC 5,215 5,064 in the U. S. and 24. San Diego, CA 25. Long Beach, CA 5,008 the scope of its work has grown with its size. In the past decade, the organization has witnessed nearly exponential growth in the number of individuals it serves. Total revenue over the past five years shows steady growth — which is good news in the face of a slowdown in the economy and other shocks such as terrorism, war, and natural disasters. For 2002, there was a 7 percent increase in the number of persons served, for an all-time high of 583,351. In terms of people placed in jobs, Goodwill did experience a small decline for the first time since 1991. The impact of a declining labor market in 2001 and 2002 may have played a role. “While performance measures are one important benchmark for mission and service growth, the real measure of our success remains the difference in quality of life that Goodwill’s education, training, and job opportunities makes in the lives of those we serve,” Carlson said. ■

Ten Things You Can Do 1. Prepare a will. Without one, you may lose control over your belongings. 2. Leave a gift in your will to Goodwill and/or other charitable organizations you care about. Less than 6% of American households include nonprofits in an estate plan. Imagine the positive impact on our community if everyone made a donation to a favorite nonprofit. 3. Leave a specific dollar amount or a percentage of the assets in your will to Goodwill. 4. Consider using assets for your charitable gift. These include but aren’t limited to: stocks, bonds, CDs, real estate, vehicles, art and jewelry. Such gifts may even provide tax savings. 5. Name Goodwill as the beneficiary of your pension plan or IRA. 6. Purchase a new life insurance policy naming Goodwill as the beneficiary. 7. Name Goodwill as the beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy. 8. Remember loved ones with memorial gifts to Goodwill. 9. Encourage family and friends to leave gifts to Goodwill.

GIWM awarded national accreditation

In August, GIWM was awarded its tenth consecutive, three-year accreditation from CARF (The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission) for its employment, training, and support services. This is the highest level awarded by CARF, given only to organizations that show substantial fulfillment of CARF’s stringent standards, and demonstrate a commitment to continually enhance the quality of its services and programs.

10. Ask your financial advisor to include charitable giving as a part of client counseling.

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For more information: www.leavealegacywmi.org

Store Locations

Major expansion underway for Holland store The Holland Goodwill store on Lakewood Boulevard is celebrating its ten-year anniversary with an extensive makeover. Construction began in mid-June to expand the existing 6,000-square-foot store an additional 4,000 square feet, plus add major improvements, such as a more convenient customer donation drivethru, a more efficient processing area, and a new retail training classroom. In addition, overall updates, such as new flooring, wall paint, and fixtures will give the store a brand new feel. The project is scheduled for completion in October. With increases in both processing and sales floor space, staff can now process more donations, as well as afford the room to display Store employees Johnnie Brown, Enedina Sanchez, and them, resulting in increased merchandise offerStore Manager Jacqueline Whitfield “break ground” on ings to its customers. the Holland store expansion. “The Holland community has been extremely generous both with their donations and with their shopping dollars,” said Goodwill Retail Director Jim Cherney. “This expansion is simply a response to their wants and needs, and the many improvements are our way of saying ‘thank you’.” Increases in in-store production will also greatly reduce transportation currently necessary from Goodwill’s main retail processing center at its headquarters on Apple Avenue in Muskegon. “In the end, it all boils down to our mission. More donations and sales translates into more funds available for our mission of helping people overcome barriers to employment,” said President Richard Carlson. Goodwill returned to Elzinga & Volkers Construction Services — the company that originally built the store ten years ago — to head up the project. Watch for a grand re-opening event sometime in October! ■

Muskegon Superstore 1974 East Sherman Boulevard Muskegon, MI 49444 231-830-8607

Fremont 1224 West Main Street Fremont, MI 49412 231-924-3493

Grand Haven 1112 Robbins Road Grand Haven, MI 49417 616-844-2229

Holland 393 East Lakewood Boulevard Holland, MI 49424 616-393-0383

Ludington 5559 West US-10 Ludington, MI 49431 231-843-0003

Muskegon – West West Village Shopping Center 2506 Henry Street Muskegon, MI 49441 231-739-8100

Newaygo River Valley Shopping Center 149 West River Valley Drive Newaygo, MI 49337 231-652-2306

Whitehall White Lake Centre 3255 East Colby Road

Girl Scouts help Goodwill and the community

Whitehall, MI 49461 231-893-0593

Donation Centers Muskegon Former JC Penney 3285 Henry Street

North Muskegon Plumb’s 520 Whitehall Road

Whitehall White Lake Centre 3255 East Colby Road

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Nearly 1,200 large bags of donations were collected by the Girl Scouts of Michigan Pine and Dunes Council during their “Bag it Up” for Goodwill drive on April 26. In addition to assisting Goodwill generate critical mission revenue, the girls are helping needy families in their own communities through this special program. To show its thanks, Goodwill rewarded troops with “community service vouchers” — one for every 15 bags collected. These vouchers are redeemable for five items of clothing at a Goodwill store. Each troop then decides how to give out their vouchers (shelter, church, needy family, etc.)

Girl Scouts “Bag it Up” for Goodwill.

If your organization is interested in earning community service vouchers by hosting a “Bag it Up” donation drive of your own, contact Goodwill Retail Director Jim Cherney at (231) 722-7871, ext. 227. ■

A Little Goodwill Goes a Long Way.

Good Bites ■ Cookies for a cause

While other kids were out swimming and riding their bikes this summer, young philanthropist, Dieter Klemm of Holland raised and donated $16 to help Goodwill with its mission of helping people overcome barriers to employment. The 8-year-old earned the money by baking and selling cookies, with the help of his grandmother. Several other charitable organizations shared in his generosity. Thank you, Dieter! ■ Grant renewed

In July, GIWM received a second-year Disability Employment Grant from the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor for another $110,000. In 2002, GIWM was one of just four Goodwill agencies nationwide that applied, secured, and shared in the $500,000 award. Funded under the Workforce Investment Act, the grant focuses on training for youth, adults, and dislocated workers with disabilities, for quality careers in technology. In addition to Michigan, the grant serves participants in California, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina.

Led by teacher Kathy Parott, Bunker Hill Middle School students play for Goodwill’s program participants in Goodwill’s new cafeteria.

Donated merchandise

■ What a party!

Many thanks to all who helped with Goodwill’s Party in the Park on August 15! Funds raised go toward Goodwill’s capital campaign. ■ Norton Hills residents donate

Goodwill thanks the residents of Norton Hills Estates, who once again generously donated their community garage sale items. A Goodwill truck traveled door-to-door and picked up the unsold items the Monday following the May weekend sale. A special thanks to resident J. D. Bond who coordinated the pick-up.

Generates sales t Coa s ’ y 9 Lad

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MRS hosts appreciation dinner for plastics partners

90% of funds go to train Sue

Michigan Department of Career Development / Michigan Rehabilitation Services hosted an “appreciation dinner” at the Bayside Centre in Muskegon on June 11. The evening was a celebration of the success of the Plastics Technology Training Program — a collaborative effort to provide technology training and job placement assistance in the field of plastic technology. The Plastic Tech Training Center is housed within Muskegon Heights High School. Collaborators, advisory council members, employers who placed graduates in their companies, and other supporters, all enjoyed the evening. Plastic Technology Business Advisory Council members include: Chad Bentley; Dana Bryant, Muskegon Heights Public Schools; Terry Cooper, Muskegon Heights Public Schools; Ted Curtis, Kent Career Center (retired); Bruce Essex, Port City Custom Plastics; LaDon Gustafson, Muskegon Heights Public Schools; Sid Holodnick, Muskegon Heights Public Schools; Bill Klungle, Pliant Plastics; Mark Luloff, Grand Haven Plastics; Patti Melvin, Michigan Department of Career Development; Steve Smith, PlasPro Plastic Provisions; Jerry Tripp, Kent Career Center (retired); and Marcia Rappleye and Mary Wolfinger, Goodwill Industries Workforce Development Center.

Sue gets a job

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Gifts received as of 8/11/03

Working to Build New Lives Campaign

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Thank you to the following ...

Charles & Patricia Johnson Campaign Co-Chairs

Edgar Hunt Ronald & Shirley Gossett

FOUNDATIONS The Kresge Foundation Community Foundation for Muskegon County Paul C. Johnson Foundation The Hilt Foundation Fifth Third Foundation Consumers Energy Foundation Alcoa Foundation Anonymous

Campaign Cabinet

Rick E. Amidon William H. Ashley Hon. Nancy Crandall Barbara L. DeBruyn Kevin Foley Paul J. Gilbert Jose A. Infante William B. Johanson Maryann Johnson Jeffrey A. Kenny Anthony J. Kolenic, Jr. Robert McCarthy James L. Parker Chip Sawyer Chuck Timmer Hugh Tyler J. D. Wallace Bishop Nathaniel Wells, Jr. Tom Williams

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BUSINESSES / ORGANIZATIONS A. A. A. Michigan, Muskegon Branch A. J. Vallier Sons, Inc. A. Krautheim Jewelers Above & Beyond American Grease Stick Company Architectural Hardware Company Baker College of Muskegon Bakker and Associates Bank One, Michigan Bush Concrete Products, Inc. Cannon-Muskegon Corporation Chaddock, Winter & Alberts Cinema Carousel Theatre Clifford Buck Construction Clock Funeral Home, Inc. Comerica Bank Community Shores Bank Dana Perfect Circle Division Daniels Office Plus Eagle Alloy, Inc. ESCO Company Excel Propane Company Hardware Distributors, Inc. Home Acres Building Supply Huntington National Bank Investment Property Associates Keene Lumber Co. KL Industries Knoll, Inc. Kurdziel Industries, Inc. Lague, Newman & Irish Lake Welding Supply Company Lakeshore Office Furniture Leadership in Newaygo County (LINC) Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken

Groundbreaking June 2002

Manpower McKenzie Price Agency Meijer, Inc. The Muskegon Chronicle Muskegon Commerce Bank Muskegon Construction Company Muskegon Fury National City Bank Newkirk Electric Associates, Inc. Nichols Paper & Supply Company Northern Machine Tool Office Machines Company, Inc. Owen-Ames-Kimball Company Parmenter O’Toole PEO Sisterhood, Chapter CY Plumb’s Supermarkets Quality Tool & Stamping Company Quigley Draperies, Inc. Robert W. Baird & Company, Inc. Shelby State Bank Shoreline Insurance Agency Sidock Group, Inc. Tony’s Club, Inc. Warner, Norcross & Judd West Michigan Dock Woodland International Trucks Muskegon, Inc. Woods Consulting Group INDIVIDUALS Stephen & Kath Alward Rick & Denise Amidon George & Josephine Anacker Roger A. & Marilyn V. Andersen Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County Dawn Y. Andrew

Vicki A. Antonini Kate Arnold William H. Ashley Lori Bailey Douglas Bard Ron Baugh David C. & Sandra R. Bliss Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County Steven R. Bolhuis The Bowen Family Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County John Brauer, Sr. Dorothy Brink The Brooks Family Fund of the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area Keven Burchfield Norman & Maureen Campbell George W. & Mary Ellen Cannon, Jr. Richard J. & Susan K. Carlson Robert & Lynne Chandonnet James Cherney Michael L. Christian Nancy Comis Harvey Comrie Donald & Nancy Crandall Robert J. & Elizabeth Cutler Lowell & Nell Dana Rick & Barb DeBruyn Edgar DeJong & Diane VanWesep Donald Delong Dick & Pat Dolack Patricia Dorn Joseph W. Doyle Elizabeth Dragt Thomas & Rosemary Ervine Terri Essex Mary Elizabeth Eyke William & MaryLou Eyke Claudia F. Fairbanks Bernard & Jeanne Fisher Kevin & Lynn Foley Linda Franklin James & Nancy Gibson Paul Gilbert Carl Roger Goelz

Shirley & Ronald Gossett Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County Bill Grant Frank & Mary Haara Bea Halvorsen Barry Helsing Lana M. Hendricks Ann Herrygers Roger Hoffman Edgar W. & Jane F. Hunt Jose Infante Michael W. and Ann L. Irish Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County Denise Jackowski Bill & Kris Johanson Charles E. and Patricia B. Johnson Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County Maryann Johnson Barbara L. Jones Hugh Kennedy Jeffrey A. Kenny Mark Kinziger Kathy Krentz Kathleen A. Krajkiewicz Vicki Krause Detlef & Bonnie Krueger Jody Kuhn Randy Kunish

Kathleen Lee Duane P. Little John Mahoney Frank Marczak Lucile R. Mason Jennifer Matteson Donald & Grace Matthews Patricia J. Miller James & Penelope Moore Richard & Nancy Morgenstern Colleen Morse Gordon & Linda Mudler Thomas & Susan Munroe Judith A. Nadeau Victoria Nowak Gloria O’Hara Theodore Operhall James Parker John & Geraldine Patterson Mary Payne Michael Peklar Gregory C. & Theresa K. Pittman Michelle M. Polk Marlene Prowant Andrew Rosasco Sina H. Reaser Cheryl Revelle Theodore & Lois Ridley Chip & Sue Sawyer William Schroeder Donald & Ruth Seyferth

Wiley Smith, Sr. N. S. Sridharan Stephen & Ruth Stream Kathleen Sullivan Beverly Taylor Wayne R. Thompson Charles Timmer Donald E. & Jane B. Tjarksen Clinton Todd Cassandra Tucker Hugh & Dorothy Tyler Robert VanNortwick Gerald R. VanWoerkom L. J. & Ausma Verplank Theodore J. Vogt Scott Wagenmaker J. D. Wallace Steven A. Wenk Nathaniel W. Wells II Robert & Ruth Wheaton Jennipher D. Wheeler Jon & Sally Whitbeck Jacqueline Whitfield Sue Wierengo Tom & Mary Williams Richard & Marilyn Witham Mary Wolfinger John & Kathy Workman Cherri Wright

Family Learning Center opens Dec. 2002

building completed July 2003

YOUR NAME HERE!

We Need Your Support! P L E D G E

Goal

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Complete below as you wish it to appear in recognition material & donor records: Name (please print)__________________________ Company (if appropriate) _______________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________________________

70% $1,040,000

City ____________________________ State _____ Zip _______ Phone __________ E-Mail__________________ This is a gift from an: ■ individual or ■ business. I pledge a gift of support of $_________ payable as: ■ one-time gift enclosed or ■ installments payable over ■ 1 ■ 2 ■ 3 years beginning ______(mo/yr). I would like to make my payments: ■ annually ■ semi-annually ■ quarterly P AY M E N T M E T H O D ■ Check to “Goodwill Industries” in the amount of $____________ is enclosed. ■ Charge my: ■ Visa ■ MasterCard

Amount: $ ____________ ■ one time or ■ installments (as indicated above)

Account # _____________________________________ Expiration Date:______________ Donor Signature ___________________________________________ Date______________ Thank you! Please return to: Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, Inc., 271 East Apple Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442 8/03

Gifts received as of 8/11/03

Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Muskegon, MI Permit No. 709

271 East Apple Avenue Muskegon, MI 49442

Shop in your pajamas! Imagine acquiring a beautiful cameo just like grandma’s or scoring the elusive “Mama Giraffe” to round out your vintage Pez collection — all without even leaving the house. Shopgoodwill.com is an online auction site (similar to eBay) that offers treasure seekers hundreds of antiques and collectibles to choose from, via the Internet, every day. Culled from Goodwill’s vast inventory of donated goods across the country, items include jewelry, vintage toys and dolls, musical instruments, original artwork, pottery, and more. “From the serious collector to the casual bargain hunter, visitors love finding unusual, and sometimes very valuable, items on our site,” says local shopgoodwill Manager Sue VanSlyke. “To some it’s a game, and the bidding adds to the excitement and fun.”

Shopgoodwill.com is the first auction site to be operated by a nonprofit organization. Created in 1999, by Goodwill Industries of Orange County, California, the site is now shared by over 90 Goodwills, including GIWM. The site currently receives over 10,000 visitors a day. Unlike other auction web sites, shopgoodwill.com is a much safer environment in terms of dealing with seller fraud, as all the items come collectively from one internationally respected source. Profits from Goodwill stores, both online and off, fund education, training, and job placement programs for people with disabilities and disadvantages such as welfare dependency, homelessness, and lack of education and work experience. ■

As Close As Your Computer