December 1998 Your contribution to Goodwill will mean more than you may know. To help you see how much your contribution means, I'm sharing with you The words of people who have lived Goodwill's mission. We want you to Know why your support of Goodwill is so important. Your gift to Goodwill is important because people with physical and Mental disabilities sometimes need an extra hand to know the pride that comes with work. "I was sad when I couldn't go to the snack bar to buy a soda. Now I can buy a soda and spend money. I like working and making money. I have a savings account. I can write my name on the deposit slip. If I wasn't working here ...I would be sad ..." -- Maureen Because turning welfare recipients into tax payers just makes sense. "When I first came to Goodwill I was a single parent with little or no self-esteem. I was on welfare and without my diploma. Coming to Goodwill was the first step toward my becoming totally independent. I am now ...totally off of welfare. I really like my job." -- Sherry Because people want to work. "I'd never finished high school. I had no experience or skills ... The only thing I did know for sure was here's a chance to change things for me and my children... I rode a bike to Goodwill in the rain and snow. I wanted to be there ...I had my second chance to change my life." -- Donna Because teaching a man to fish will keep him fed for his entire life. "Before I got to Goodwill, I was on a mission. I just wanted a job. It didn't matter what the job was, I just wanted one. Now, I'm on a journey. I've got more than a job; I've got a career. My instructor played a role like no other instructor I've ever had I appreciate everything that Goodwill has done for me." -- Cornell Each year, we help thousands of people who face tremendous obstacles. Their one common goal: they all want to work. A robust economy helps by providing job opportunities, but to be honest, most of the people who aren't working today are quite simply the ones who face the greatest obstacles. The kinds of services we provide help people deal with obstacles like health care, transportation and child care -problems that are big enough on their own without being compounded by factors like physical and mental disabilities, illiteracy and lack of job skills. Last year, Goodwill helped 3,300 people find jobs that increased their self-sufficiency. Your gift to Goodwill will be used directly to support services that will help even more find jobs. Right now, there are thousands of people who do not know what it feels like to support themselves. You can help them to know that feeling. Please help Goodwill and help people find jobs. Use the enclosed card and give a generous gift to Goodwill today! Sincerely, James M. McClelland President