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Florida Goodwill, Red Cross partner to assist in Irma recovery

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New partnership will provide donated items for hurricane victims

In response to Hurricane Irma and the overwhelming generosity of the American people, the American Red Cross and Goodwill in Florida are establishing a partnership that will better serve Floridians affected by the hurricane during the recovery efforts.

Throughout Florida, the Red Cross, along with its partners, is managing sheltering and relief efforts. This includes mobilizing thousands of trained Red Cross disaster relief workers and deploying truckloads of relief supplies. The organization relies on the generosity of its corporate partners with strategic in-kind donations of goods and services; however, unsolicited in-kind donations are many times burdensome and costly during a disaster relief operation.

Goodwill is better positioned to accept, sort, store and distribute donations of clothing and household goods. People who would like to donate items can visit any Goodwill Industries Donation Center located throughout the State of Florida and designate their donation to Hurricane Irma. Individuals desiring to donate items for victims of Hurricane Irma can check with their local Goodwill to learn how donations will be handled. Goodwills in Florida will provide vouchers to the Red Cross that will be available for distribution to those affected by Hurricane Irma in Florida. Vouchers will be allocated based on need and can be redeemed for selected items in Goodwill locations throughout Florida.

Goodwill is grateful for the generosity of our donors and shoppers. With their support, we can provide necessary items to those affected by the hurricane,” said Bill Oakley, Florida Goodwill Association Chairman and Goodwill Industries of Central Florida President and CEO. “This partnership shows the strength and magnitude of what collaboration can do.”

“We are always looking for ways to operate more efficiently and ensure our donor dollars are reaching people in need after a disaster,” said Virginia Mewborn, director of disaster relief operations in Florida. “Our new partnership with Goodwill will ensure donated items are processed and distributed quickly to those in need.”

Find Goodwill locations: www.goodwill.org/donate-and-shop/donate-stuff

Donate to Red Cross Irma relief efforts: www.redcross.org

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm1-HXLC74U&feature=youtu.be

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

About the Florida Goodwill Association:

The Florida Goodwill Association is comprised of nine autonomous Goodwill Organizations, each serving the people of a multi-county region. These organizations share a common mission: To help Floridians overcome barriers to employment and become self-sufficient. Through Goodwill's services, more than 223,000 people were served in 2016 with a total economic impact of over $1.6 billion across the State. We provide employment, job training, and other community-based programs. At Goodwill, we believe that work creates the economic energy that builds strong families and vibrant communities. Work builds self-confidence, relationships, and independence. Everyone deserves a chance to have those things in life. Goodwill provides that chance. There are 225 Goodwill retail stores across the state of Florida with more than 10,000 employees.

Goodwill, Hurricane Irma, Red Cross

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