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Community Corner

Goodwill Donation Center At Crosby's Marketplace Is Creating Productive Lives

More than 450 tons of quality goods contributed annually

Cleaning is good for the soul, particularly in spring after the doldrums of a long, hard winter. What better way to initiate spring cleaning than a charity drop off of home goods or clothing at the Goodwill trailer in the parking lot at Crosby’s Marketplace, one of the most productive Goodwill donation centers in the region.

The Crosby’s Marketplace success is a complete community effort. Annually at the Concord store, more than 23,000 local donors drop off an assortment of donations from the home, a total of 450 tons of goods annually, an estimated value of $650,000 to $700,000, according to Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries of Massachusetts.

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“Donating  is easy, and it can have a tremendous impact for other people and on the environment,” says Bill LaBelle, director of operations at Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries. “We are thankful to Crosby’s Marketplace for their incredible cooperation and support in our mission. We are equally grateful for all those who donate so generously.”

But more is still needed.  The mission of Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries is “to help individuals with barriers to self-sufficiency to achieve independence and dignity through work. Not charity, but a chance.”

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Since its founding in 1895, Goodwill has been dedicated to serving individuals, families, and communities with the greatest needs by helping people go to work to be able to support themselves and their families. In addition to providing quality home goods and clothing, Goodwill’s regional operation annually serves more than 10,000 low-income, unemployed and underemployed adults in its job training and career services programs, and more than 100 young people in its youth services programs.

Two local residents staff the Goodwill Crosby’s Marketplace drop off, a 40-foot trailer on site since 1995, seven days a week, from 8 am to 4:30 pm.  An example of community commitment, Ed Ciampa has been staffing the trailer and accepting donations for Goodwill for 15 years.

“The success of the Goodwill trailer at our Concord store is a testament to the generosity of our customers and the residents of Concord,” said Jim Crosby, president of Crosby’s Marketplace. “We are delighted that our partnership with Goodwill is providing so many great benefits to the community and we would like to remind people to remember the Concord donation center as they are doing their spring cleaning.”

As Goodwill founder, the Rev. Edger Helms, once said, ‘the way out of poverty is productive work.’ “The donations of area residents is helping greatly to create productive lives,” notes James Harder, Goodwill director of communications, who urged local residents to visit their website at goodwillmass.org for more information.

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