November Means New Winter Coats

On a recent visit to a Goodwill Keystone Area store in Shillington, a number of full racks of coats were on display.

Winter coats are being stocked daily.

 

Coats are donated and placed on Goodwill sales floors each week. With winter coming and Daylight Savings imminent, it will be darker earlier and thus colder earlier starting next week. Winter coats will be in demand, so come in and check to see if there is a coat for you.

We’d also like to remind both Goodwill customers and Goodwill donors that when you buy a new coat, you should consider donating an older coat that is in good condition.  It may be a few years out of style or no longer your favorite color or cut, but chances are it is exactly what someone is looking for. If you are looking for additional colors and styles of coats at bargain prices, many designer brand products are available at a Goodwill near you.

Layers Keep You Warmer

Goodwill stores also have a variety of sweatshirts and tee shirts for your outdoor winter activities.

Get your Major League Baseball gear early for the 2013 season.
As of Nov. 2, the Ohio State Buckeyes were still undefeated, but not bowl eligible.

 

Finds like this Cheshire cat sweater will keep you warm in your rabbit hole. Such finds are common at Goodwill stores.

 

 

Warm team logo products like this one are easy to find if you search by the colors of your favorite college or pro teams.

When in Doubt: Zombie Out

Zombies are in right now, esp. with the return or the AMC series Walking Dead and numerous zombie genre movies still popular, but especially as a popular costume choice for Halloween parties.

Goodwill Keystone Area’s stores have inexpensive, quality clothing and decorations for Halloween that can help bring out the zombie in you.

Goodwill merchandise provides good value for the quality of the clothing, but you can feel better about distressing a pair of our inexpensive jeans rather than your favorite going-out pair.  A few rips and frays, some dirt, zombie goo (ketchup, mustard, honey?) and of course a mask or face paint will round out the look.

Don’t forget to accessorize your zombie costumes with such things as scarves, belts and shoes, all of which Goodwill stores have in ample supply.  Adding a dead bouquet of flowers for the beautiful zombie bride or a dead corsage for the zombie groom could complete the look.

This window display in the Goodwill store at 121 Rohrerstown Road in Lancaster features a wedding gown and long black cape.

Imagine what an entrance you could make at a party if you arrived with your date and an entourage or zombified friends, all bursting into the party at once!  Just don’t make the hostess drop the macaroni and cheese she’s serving.

The only limitation is your imagination.  By shopping at Goodwill, you’ll be able to afford your costume and have some money left over to bring something for the party hosts.

Halloween Costumes are No Problem at Goodwill

Choosing a Halloween costume can be difficult, especially if a last-minute invitation pops up for you or your trick or treater. Sometimes it just takes a little shopping to be inspired. Goodwill makes it easy.

One of the many costume ideas at Goodwill.

If you don’t want to pay retail prices for a costume you’ll wear just once, look to a Goodwill store for some inexpensive costume ideas this week. Bring your children after school or come browse over the lunch hour.

Prepackaged and Create Your Own Costumes

Some of our Goodwill stores carry a limited number of pre-packaged costumes. The week before Halloween, the Goodwill Store at 627 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg, carried prepackaged costumes including an evil paparazzi and a hunchback outfit.

include an evil paparazzi and a hunchback outfit.

Or you can create your own costume. Whether you are looking for a missing piece to your costume puzzle or an entire outfit, your neighborhood Goodwill store just might have it, so come in and browse and be inspired. 

These adorable pink shoes (size 1 ½) from the well-stocked shoe department would complete your young lady’s princess outfit.

Donate

When planning to shop, consider bringing in lightly used clothes you no longer wear or costumes from previous years. Those Halloween costumes can still be put on the rack for purchase. Donors will of course receive a receipt for  a tax write off for their donation.

Be Thrifty for Back to School

Welcome to August! For parents this is the month that can get expensive. The National Retail Federation expects that the average parent of a school age child will spend close to $700 on school supplies. Don’t spend $700 on back to school. Shop at Goodwill. We have great outfits for under $10. Visit www.yourgoodwill.org for a list of stores in your area.

Attention Brides!

Just recently got engaged? Congratulations! Let the planning begin. Remember that your wedding can look like a million bucks without spending a million bucks. Check out this wedding dress found at Goodwill Store & Donation Centers.

Summer Reads at Goodwill

Headed to the beach this summer and need some fun things to do? Stop by your local Goodwill Store & Donation Center for fun items for the beach or the pool. If your idea of entertainment is a good book, Goodwill has a variety of different titles to choose from. Make summer entertainment fun and economical with your local Goodwill Store & Donation Center.

Farm Fresh Around the Corner

Ever look out into your back yard and wish for a beautiful garden? How about getting that beautiful experience without all the hard work, sweat and tears? Check out Goodwill at Homefields Farm, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program in the heart of Millersville.

Those who sign up for a share experience an abundance amount of fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers. Also, signing up for a share gives you access to the farm’s pick-your-own field.

There is still time left to sign up for a share and experience all the farm’s bounty without the farm work. Full shares are $675 ($28 per week) and are for a family of four. Half shares are $425 ($17 per week) and are for a family of two. Goodwill at Homefields Farm provides job opportunities for people with disabilities. For more information or to sign up for a share click here.

Clean Out and Do Good

The schools are out and summer has officially started. Between all the cook-outs and pool parties why not take an afternoon and have your kids clean out their rooms. Have them put old toys that they no longer play with in their donation station. Have them go through this past year’s school clothes and put aside what they didn’t wear and what doesn’t fit. Then gather up all the bags from your donation station and the kids and take the items to your nearest Goodwill Store & Donation Center. Remind your kids that their donation helps fund job opportunities for people with disabilites in their community. You get to declutter your house and do good at the same time. It’s a win-win situation!

Summer Fashion Trends

Older fashion trends are coming full circle this summer. High top pants, crop tops and cat-eye sunglasses from the 1950’s are coming back into style. Be creative by taking a top you find at Goodwill and altering it into a stylish crop top. By being creative you will not only save money but you add something special that no one else has to your wardrobe. Your local Goodwill is an awesome place to find these one-time summer trends that won’t break the bank. Happy shopping!

Remember to check out our Pinterest Page for photos of actual outfits found at Goodwill Stores.