Go Green. Recycle Your Old Computer at Goodwill.

January 7, 2013

Go Green. Recycle Your Old Computer at Goodwill.

New Recycling Act in Effect Jan. 24

As of January 24, 2013, Pennsylvania will be requiring all computers and televisions to be recycled under the Covered Device Recycling Act. These items will no longer be picked up curbside with regular trash. Many waste haulers are already instituting the policy to start the year.

Goodwill Does Not Accept Donated TVs

Since March 2012, Goodwill Keystone Area has no longer accepts donated TVs. We do recycle any brand of laptops and desktop computers, monitors, printers, mice, cords and other computer accessories, whether they are in operating condition or not. We also accept donated consumer electronics that are in working condition. If you donate a computer, be sure to transfer or erase any personal information you may need from the hard drive.

We Do Accept Computers! Goodwill’s Dell Reconnect Program.

Go green by donating a computer or computer accessory to Goodwill, enabling it to be recycled properly. Goodwill recycles computers through a program called Dell Reconnect. This ensures that no computers take up valuable landfill space and that heavy metals are disposed of properly so they don’t contaminate the environment, damage soil or pollute watersheds.

If you are donating a computer monitor, laptop or scanner and the glass is damaged, please place it in a plastic-lined cardboard box when dropping it off. For information on the computer components and peripherals accepted, check here: http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/uscorp1/corp-comm/items-reconnect. Donors can assign a value to the computers they donate for tax write-off purposes.

Dispose of TVs at County Recycling Centers

To properly dispose of and recycle televisions or nonworking electronics, we recommend you contact your county recycling center. For addresses, go here: http://bit.ly/Rx6gNN

Having Trouble Figuring Out Where to Put it All?

December 28, 2012

Donate the old so you have room for the new

Many people received a bounty of new things over the holidays. Are you asking yourself where to store it all? Are your cabinets and drawers, closets and shelves already brimming? If so, clutter sometimes needs to go. You don’t need to fill the spare room, basement or attic with storage overflow. Donate those bags and boxes of stuff.

Do your community good

The things you no longer need may be just what others are looking for. Donate them to Goodwill. Your donations fuel our mission. Our stores fund job training for people with disabilities or other barriers to independence.

Remember donating in December means tax deductions in 2013

December 31 is the deadline to ensure your end-of-year donation is a tax write-off for the 2012 tax year. If itemizing, be sure to ask for a receipt. We can’t place a value of your donations, only you can. But here is a link to guidelines on how to value donated items. http://www.goodwill.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Donation_Valuation_Guide.pdf

Unfortunately, there are some items we cannot take. Here is a list of what we can’t take, including certain infant items, which are often recalled: https://www.yourgoodwill.org/donation/what_not_to_donate.php

Need Glassware for a Holiday Party? Goodwill to the Rescue!

December 20, 2012

If you’re having a holiday gathering and expecting more guests than you have glasses or you want to keep your set intact or ensure grandmother’s china doesn’t get broken, think about stocking up on some extra mugs, glassware and other kitchen items from Goodwill.

If the thought of serving drinks in your wedding crystal or good wine glasses gives you nightmares, why not get some inexpensive beverage glasses at one of our 35 Goodwill stores? Different mugs and glasses for each guest would also prevent drink mix ups from happening.

Barware 1 — Budweiser Clydesdale lager glasses, a Planet Hollywood and a Brown University shot glass at Goodwill.

Unique quality barware from Goodwill doesn’t break your budget. Hand-blown champagne flute & martini glass – $0.97 each. Four matching tumblers – $0.47 each.

How often have we heard this exchange:” Where did I put my drink?” “What kind of glass was it in?” “It was like yours. Did you take my glass by mistake?” If you’ve ever been to a holiday party where identical wine glasses had different charms on them, but still got mixed up, you know how easy it is to forget where you left your glass when you get up to go to the bathroom and someone takes your spot near the fireplace.

Don’t lose track of which glass or beer mug is yours. Giving each guest a unique glass is easy if you shop at Goodwill.

Find us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Goodwill-Keystone-Area/114038241244?fref=ts

On Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/yourgoodwill/

Need a Party Dress for Less? Think Goodwill.

December 13, 2012

Let’s face it, sometimes, last minute invitations come up. Your schedule clears and you are able to attend a holiday party you had not anticipated going to. Sometimes your daughter comes to you and says she needs an outfit for the school dance tonight and has nothing to wear.

027 — These dresses were available during a recent visit to a Goodwill in Lemoyne, PA.

You’ve done all of your holiday shopping already and came in at or near budget. You’ve fought through the Black Friday crowds and braved the parking lots packed with Christmas shoppers at the mall. Now you want to get yourself or a family member a last-minute special outfit without paying retail. What do you do? This is the perfect time to think Goodwill.Our stores specialize in women’s fashions.You don’t have to pay $50 or more. Feel free to brag a little. ‘I paid $8 for this dress from Jones of New York at Goodwill.’ AND I used my Shop-N-Save card to save on this Liz Claiborne purse. Next time, bring along an envious friend to shop Goodwill with you.

020 — Liz Claiborne, left and Tommy Hilfiger, right. Purses to accessorize any outfit and they won’t empty your wallet.

While you’re there, you may want to look for a housewarming gift for the party host. A serving dish. A decoration. A game. You’ll leave knowing that you can still afford a bottle of wine for the hostess. Look for it and find it. At Goodwill.

038-crop — Silver-plated candy dish. Perfect holiday impulse buy.

Ugly Christmas Sweaters. It’s Hip to be Square.

December 8, 2012

I can’t help but smile when I see someone at the mall, at a Christmas party or out and about boldly wearing a loud Christmas sweater, embroidered sweatshirt or Santa Claus hat. Normally this comes with slight disregard for traditional fashion sense. It’s festive, it’s fun, it’s something you talk and joke about.

Ugly Christmas sweaters are colorful. They’re busy. They’re garish.

They’re the opposite of cool, yet they are cool at the same time. They are conversation pieces. Who can find the most ornate, the most creative, the most daring? It’s Christmas and it’s time to celebrate. “Fashion can be put on hold when I wear my ugly Christmas sweater,” seems to be the prevailing mood. That’s why ugly Christmas sweaters remain a popular annual trend.

Where do we find our new favorite? To find an ugly Christmas sweater that suits your particular personality and budget takes some doing. If you’ve shopped online for them, they can also carry hefty price tag. Instead of shelling out $35 or $50 for an ugly Christmas sweater, shopping at your local Goodwill can save you plenty. In fact, you can afford to buy several different sweaters at thrift store prices for much less than you would pay for one at retail or online with shipping.

You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the wide selection, quality and variety of sweaters and sweatshirts that Goodwill has. Keep in mind, each Goodwill store has unique ugly Christman sweaters in stock.

Challenge your friends and relatives. Plan an ugly Christmas sweater party. Ask guests to wear an outlandish sweater or sweatshirt to your next gathering.

Shop Goodwill. You’ll be happy you did.

Christmas Decorations at Goodwill

December 5, 2012

For many years, it was a tradition in my family to add one or two special ornaments to the Christmas tree each year. It didn’t have to be something store bought. It was often something one of the children made. As this tradition continued, we had more ornaments than we had space on the tree, so inevitably, some would stay box ed and unused, some were given to friends and family, and some were donated to Goodwill.

Many families must donate unused ornaments because every Goodwill store I have been in recent weeks contains a bounty of high-quality – often vintage and collectible – Christmas decorations that are no longer sold in other stores.

I recently found a bunch of NFL, NHL, NBA and NCAA team logo Christmas ornaments, which I know once went for $6, $8 or even $10 a piece in other stores. Now, you can’t find them at all. Except at Goodwill, where they were just 97 cents.

Penn State and Minnesota Team Bulbs — On a recent visit to a Goodwill store, I found a Penn State ornament, three Minnesota pro sports team bulbs and many other Christmas decorations.

You really can’t beat these prices.

Give to Goodwill During Extraordinary Give Nov. 30

November 29, 2012

We’re trying something for the first time on Friday, Nov. 30 – Goodwill Keystone Area has agreed to participate in a one-day fundraising event called Extraordinary Give.

The Lancaster County Community Foundation is sponsoring the event to make giving to Goodwill as easy as going to www.extragive.org. The website goes live Friday at 12:01 a.m.

The Foundation will give a partial match to Goodwill Keystone Area for online donations made on Friday.

Your donation of $25 or more will help our mission to support persons with disabilities and other barriers to independence. Donations to Goodwill help people like Mary, a young woman with autism. With your support, Mary is learning to overcome challenges, make friends and enjoy new experiences.

Extraordinary Give Day – It’s easy!

Donations to Goodwill can be made using on your home computer, smartphone, tablet or other Internet-enabled device.
Remember, the tax year is ending. Donations are tax deductible if you itemize.

Even if you don’t give, there are actions you can take to help.

Tell your friends and family about Extragive.org using email, Facebook, Twitter or other social media.
Like us on Facebook if you are not already a fan or follow us on Twitter or Pinterest.

Give the gift of a job this holiday season. Give the gift of independence.

Cyber Monday at Shopgoodwill.com

November 26, 2012

Have some fun cyber shopping today at shopgoodwill.com. We have jewelry, designer clothes, boots and handbags. Our online Goodwill store based in Reading has a piccolo metronome, right, used for keeping time

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=11909372

or a zither, below (Everyone has an uncle who plays – or should play – the zither.). These and many much more unusual gifts are up for auction if you know an aspiring musician.

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=11911404

Find accessories from scarves to earrings to necklaces to match them…all at Goodwill – you never know what you’re going to find when you shopgoodwill.com.

Thorndale Grand Re-Opening!

November 12, 2012

On Friday, Nov. 9, the Goodwill Store in Thorndale at 3231 East Lincoln Highway held a grand re-opening to celebrate its growth from 9,842 square feet to 17,000 square feet. This is 42% more floor space for this Goodwill Keystone Area retail operation. The store now has more showroom floor to display furniture, wares and clothing, wider aisles and better lighting, as well as more area for employees to process donations, which can be dropped of at a donor door in the back of the building.

Donated fawns, a reindeer and a moose helped decorate the store on Nov. 9 and fascinated customers of all ages. Two of the fawns found new homes during the grand re-opening.

The Goodwill store in Thorndale, PA had a nice Thanksgiving display set up for its grand opening.

Goodwill Keystone Area operates more than 30 stores in 22 counties. Proceeds from the stores support people with disabilities and other barriers to independence, enablin gthem to achieve their fullest potential.

The event featured a prize wheel, $10 gift card raffle and free prizes for the first 50 customers. Good Dog also made an appearance.

Fall and Winter Clothing in Demand at At Goodwill

November 8, 2012

Whether you are looking to purchase new winter clothing or accessories or whether you are seeking to clean out your closet to make room for new purchases, now is the time to think Goodwill.

Hats, scarves, gloves, jackets and sweatshirts

While coats and sweatshirts are in ready supply at all Goodwill locations, hats and scarves – especially for women – are highly desirability, so they don’t stay on our shelves very long.

During a recent store visit, accessories like this attractive hat and scarf combination were on display.

As well as a blaze orange men’s hunting jacket.

Goodwill’s thrift store shoppers are always looking for a bargain, but keep in mind whether purchasing or donating, that proceeds from the sale of all Goodwill products helps people with disabilities and difficult to employ workers to find job training and meaning jobs. Without you, there could be no Goodwill.