Press Release & Media Availability: Goodwill on Whyte - Goodwill Opens New Store & Donation Centre on Whyte Ave Saturday Nov 25

Edmonton (Nov 21, 2017) – Goodwill is opening a new store & donation centre on Whyte Avenue on Saturday November 25. The ribbon cutting is at 9:50 am and the store opens to shoppers at 10 am.  Media are welcome the day of the Goodwill on Whyte opening. Interviews can also be arranged in the store on Thursday November 23 or Friday November 24.

Goodwill is a non-profit and a registered charity dedicated to providing meaningful employment and career development training for Albertans with disabilities. Giselle Zacharuk, 23 got her first job working in donation processing at the new Whyte Avenue donation centre. “It means being finally independent and paying my bills,” said Zacharuk.  “It’s nice to be part of something from the very beginning,” she added.  Zacharuk has Tourettes syndrome.

“Opening a new Goodwill store and donation centre on Whyte Avenue means creating new job opportunities for Edmontonians with disabilities,” said Dale Monaghan President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Alberta. “We are excited to be part of Whyte Avenue’s vibrant businesses and arts community,” added Monaghan.

Goodwill on Whyte also includes a mobile stage to host performances related to events taking place in Old Strathcona.

“Our new store on Whyte Avenue will offer shoppers great boutique items, and a different fashion forward feel and look compared to a typical thrift store,” said Deborah Moisan, store manager of Goodwill on Whyte.

Goodwill on Whyte is also home to Goodwill’s Career Development and Training Centre for Albertans with disabilities. Goodwill has 7 stores and 14 donation centre in Edmonton and area.  Approximately 88.8% of the revenue generated from the sale of donated items in our thrift stores is reinvested in Goodwill’s goal of providing career training and jobs for Albertans with disabilities.

Goodwill on Whyte store replaces our current Goodwill store and donation centre in Old Strathcona at 7808 Gateway Blvd which closes down on November 22.

WHAT: Goodwill on Whyte Store & Donation Centre Grand Opening

WHEN: 9:50 Ribbon Cutting & 10 am store opens to shoppers

Where: 10110 Whyte Ave

Who: Dale Monaghan President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Alberta, Brenda Hawryluk

Director of Donor and Business Relations, and Cherie Klassen Executive Director Old Strathcona Business Association.

Media contact

Brenda Hawryluk

Director, Donor and Business Relations

Email: Marketing@Goodwill.ab.ca

Dale Monaghan

President & CEO

Goodwill Industries of Alberta

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About Goodwill Industries of Alberta - a non for profit and registered charity: Goodwill’s mission is to provide Albertans with disabilities the opportunity to enhance their lives through meaningful employment. Goodwill is one of the largest employers of Albertans with disabilities; 27% of Goodwill employees chose to disclose a disability. We provide employment opportunities in our thrift stores and an accommodating work environment for Albertans with disabilities in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Grande Prairie, Calgary and Airdrie. Our Edmonton Power of Work program has been providing career development training to Albertans with developmental disabilities for decades. The success of Goodwill’s retail operations revolves around the generosity of people in our community choosing to donate to Goodwill and shop at our thrift stores. Every year over one million Albertans shop at Goodwill, and more than 600,000 Albertans donate to Goodwill; 88.8 % of all revenues go back into our mission and stays right here in Alberta.  Albertans with disabilities earned $ 3 million dollars while working at Goodwill in 2016. We are also a major recycler of a growing range of donated items; we recycle more than 4 million kg every year.