July 31 Fire Destroys Goodwill Facilities

Please View an Urgent Video Appeal for Donations from President and CEO Jim Teter

On July 31, an early morning fire broke out at Goodwill of Central Arizona’s Main Campus, burning down the Clearance Center and Salvage Operations, co-located at 16th Street and Van Buren.

Fortunately no one was injured, but that portion of the 16th Street facility was totally destroyed. At this point in time we don’t have a final verdict on the cause of the fire, but authorities are investigating.

Goodwill has made every effort to ensure retail and workforce operations remain uninterrupted so we can continue to serve our clients, customers and community.

The buildings that burned down were main transportation hubs and housed donations from the community. More than 1,000 storage containers of donations were destroyed in the fire.

We need your help.

Goodwill is calling on our vendors, friends and our local communities to support us during this challenging time through material and cash donations so that we can continue to operate our 36 programs that focus on putting people to work locally. As you know, it is the collection of donations that we turn into dollars to fund our free services to the community.

Your donations of material goods will ensure that our stores will remain stocked so customers can continue shopping. More importantly, your contributions will make sure that Goodwill can continue to provide job training programs and employment services that will help our neighbors and central Arizona’s economy rebound.

We realize that with the economy, the extent of your assistance is limited, but we truly appreciate any support you can give.

One way to help collect donations is through a coordinated donation drive. Goodwill would welcome the opportunity to partner with your business or local residential community on a donation drive. Please e-mail Courtney Nelson, Marketing Communications Manager, at courtney.nelson@goodwillaz.org for more information or to schedule your drive.

I guess you could say that Goodwill now needs a “hand up” to navigate this challenge and continue to move forward in support of our clients, customers and community.

Monetary donations can be made securely and conveniently on our Website – https://www.goodwillaz.org/donation/donate.

Cash donors will receive a receipt – either by e-mail or U.S. mail detailing your cash contribution. Depending on your personal tax situation – your cash contribution may also qualify you for an Arizona Tax Credit, up to the first $400 of your contribution. Please see your tax advisor for details.

Thank you for your support and consideration during this challenging time. Goodwill is dedicated to providing jobs, hope and sustainability to both central Arizonans and our local communities.

Best,

Jim Teter
President and CEO
Goodwill of Central Arizona