Meet our Donation Drive Coordinators!

This summer Goodwill Industries of Alberta hired two coordinators to help community groups, schools and businesses organize donation drives.

We did a quick Q & A with Owen Ferguson in Calgary and Doug Harvey in Edmonton to get to know them better!

Owen Ferguson,
Calgary & Southern Region Donation Drive Coordinator

Why did you want to get involved with Goodwill?

Goodwill has been successfully helping Albertans with disabilities find jobs for 60 years. I joined to be a part of that cause and to help increase the number of lives Goodwill can impact.

As the donation drive coordinator, what are some of your favourite things about the job/things you’re most excited about?

I love the number of people I get to meet and talk to about Goodwill’s mission. It fills me with a sense of pride to educate them on what Goodwill can do for their community and what their community’s donations can do for us.

Have you seen any particularly unique items being donated?

At one recent Donation Drive, we had two authentic swords donated. Goes to show you never know what cool items you’re going to come across.

What tips do you have for people when bringing donations to a drive? 

I would encourage everyone planning to donate at one of our Donation Drives to read our Smart Donating Guide. It will give you all the information you need regarding what to donate at one of our drives

Before coming to Goodwill, what were you doing/where were you working?

I am working at Goodwill for the summer.  In the fall, I will be returning to school at the University of Lethbridge, where I am a Finance major.

When you’re not coordinating donation drives for Goodwill, what do you enjoy doing? (ie. What do you do on your time off).

When I am not working I like to play sports like basketball and football and go hiking.

If you could describe Goodwill in one sentence, what would you say?

Goodwill provides Albertan’s with disabilities an opportunity to develop valuable job skills and enjoy a meaningful career.

Doug Harvey,
Edmonton & Central Region Donation Drive Coordinator

Why did you want to get involved with Goodwill?

I have a passion for making a difference in the community, and Goodwill is a great organization that does exactly that!

As the donation drive coordinator, what are some of your favourite things about the job/things you’re most excited about?

I enjoy the challenge of the position, and am excited about the untapped potential for donation drives that we’re just starting to understand.

Have you seen any particularly unique items being donated?

Absolutely! I spent a bit of time at a Sherwood Park donation intake centre, and there is also something interesting coming through the doors. Probably the most unique item I’ve seen was a huge antique boat that came in.

What tips do you have for people when bringing donations to a drive? 

The biggest piece of advice I would have for people is to check the donation guide before they bring things in. Make sure you know what we will accept before you bring all your items in! Adding to that, if people group similar items together in advance that makes it a lot easier for the sorting crew.

Before coming to Goodwill, what were you doing/where were you working?

Before coming to Goodwill, I was studying Business at the University of Alberta, with the hope of eventually working in the non-profit industry.

When you’re not coordinating donation drives for Goodwill, what do you enjoy doing?

I enjoy a lot of things! Whether that means listening to music, playing board games, helping out at my churches youth group, watching far too much hockey on TV., or just spending quality time with friends and family – there’s never a dull moment!

If you could describe Goodwill in one sentence, what would you say?

A life-impacting organization that is making the world a better place!

Want to organize a donation drive for your group? Learn more ...