Goodwill started a blogger "Donate Movement" and has asked online bloggers to answer the question "Why do I donate?" Anyone that knows me, knows that I purchase a lot of my wearable wardrobe from Goodwill thrift stores. By wearable wardrobe, I mean clothes that actually where and don't leave hanging in the closet with the tags on them for years. I love going to the stores to find different treasures, for my home and my wardrobe. I want to share why I feel in love with shopping at Goodwill Stores and why they have inspired me to donate.
When I was in college, I was Style Director for a our on campus fashion fashion magazine. We had a very limited budget and most of our money went to printing, so I found creative ways to get clothes for photo shoots. I asked several stores for donations, but the magazine wasn't Vogue and people weren't always so willing to donate items to reach a small circulation. Goodwill to the rescue! One rememberable time, the Goodwill came through big for one of our largest photo shoots. I found sequin tops, leggings, belts, hats, and purses for our Studio 54 inspired spread at great prices. Life saver!
Goodwill also saved me the summer when I interned in New York City at a fashion magazine. I was an unpaid intern living in NYC in the summer; all these factors add up to having no money for clothes shopping. And when you're an intern at a fashion magazine, you have to dress the part. So I took the little money I had and hit the Goodwill stores in Manhattan. Only in a Manhattan Goodwill store can you find Nine West, Theory, and Betsey Johnson in abundance, but at unpaid intern friendly prices. Life saver!
Goodwill was there for me once again, when I graduated from college and moved half-way across the country. I needed furniture for my very first apartment, but no one explained to me that period of post grad time called "waiting to be un-broke." That's the time between moving into a new apartment and getting your first paycheck, you know the money is coming but you're just waiting to be un-broke. Well, the Goodwill store became my faithful furniture and decor store. I still have my beloved book shelve I got for $20; I consider it one of my greatest treasure finds. Life saver again!
I'm very thankful to Goodwill for saving me several times over the years; so of course I donate because I hope something I give saves someone else in their time of need. I have more money than I did in college and recent post grad years (only a little bit more), but I still shop at the Goodwill because I love the people and the treasure hunt. But most importantly, I know the money I spend in the stores funds job and career training programs that help people get back on their feet and actually saves their lives. Life saver indeed :)
Comments