August 6, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Stacey Doss | SDDPR
949.285.2362 , Stacey@sddpr.com
## Goodwill of Orange County ##
Goodwill Collects More Than 110,000 Items of Clothing at OC FAIR, Raising Revenue for Critical Programs and Services
COSTA MESA, Calif. – Aug. 6, 2012 – A generous Orange County community showed up to the OC Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 1, each bringing five or more items of clothing in exchange for free admission and one ride ticket as part of the Fair’s We Care Wednesday program benefitting Goodwill of Orange County. More than 110,000 items were collected, which will be sold at Goodwill retail stores throughout the county, revenues of which provide programs and services that will help people facing barriers to employment get and keep jobs.
“Fair attendees should know that each generous donation helps put more people to work in the community, and for that we are truly thankful,” said Frank Talarico, Jr., President and CEO, Goodwill of Orange County. “The OC Fair aptly named these mid-week donation drives, WE Care Wednesday, and it’s obvious that people really do care. More than 22,000 individuals took the time to gather gently used items and stand in line for a good cause. We are thankful for the support of the OC Fair and their ongoing commitment to help us provide work opportunities for people who want to work, but need a hand up.”
Goodwill’s 20 retail stores in Orange County – which recently underwent a makeover -- and the online store, shopgoodwill.com, generate revenue to fund Goodwill’s job skills training and career development programs throughout the region. Last year, Goodwill transformed gently used clothing and other items into programs and services for more than 10,000 people, by offering job training, employment placement services and other community-based programs for people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face other employment challenges.
“In year fourteen of our donation drives, it is more evident than ever that our community is in need of the benefits that companies such as Goodwill provide,” said Jerome Hoban, president and CEO of the OC Fair & Event Center. “WE Care Wednesday helps those in need while making the Fair more affordable for everyone. Nearly 23,000 guests donated and entered the Fair that day. We say that is a win for everyone.”
KTLA’s Gayle Anderson was on hand to capture some of the highlights of the WE Care Wednesday program. Goodwill collection centers at three of the entry gates fielded a steady stream of fair-goers and donations. Talarico noted, “Goodwill believes in the power of work…we help people facing barriers to employment get and keep jobs. We are a not-for-profit business that changes lives.” To view photos from Goodwill at the OC Fair’s We Care Wednesday, visit http://j.mp/OCFairWeCareWednesdayClothingDrive.
About Goodwill of Orange County
Goodwill of Orange County is a nonprofit organization with its main campus located at 410 North Fairview in Santa Ana. Now in its 88th year, Goodwill of Orange County helps thousands of people each year, train for, find, and keep good jobs and that provides hope, pride, and self sufficiency. For more information on Goodwill of Orange County, please contact Katherine Ransom, Sr. Director, Marketing and Communications at (714) 547-6308 ext. 308 or katheriner@ocgoodwill.org. Information can also be found at www.ocgoodwill.org.
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