Local Goodwill in Desperate Need of Donations After Tree Falls on Warehouse

Goodwill is in need of clothing and household donations in order to keep shelves full for shoppers within its retail stores. On Saturday, April 1st, Goodwill’s warehouse in Wooster, a site that houses Goodwill’s recycling and salvaging operation as well as extra donations that are transferred to its retail stores, was struck by a falling tree as a result of heavy winds in the area.

“It was a devastating blow to our retail operation and our organization as a whole,” states Judy Talcott, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Wayne and Holmes Counties. “We continue to be positive, and we will rebuild. Please consider donating your gently used items to Goodwill and we will continue providing support and training for people within our communities as we have done for over 44 years.”

Goodwill Industries of Wayne and Holmes Counties operates five retail stores and donation centers in Wayne and Holmes Counties. These Goodwill stores are located in Wooster, Orrville, Rittman, Millersburg, and Loudonville. Revenue from the sale of these donations are transformed by Goodwill into career training and skill building for people within the community; the ultimate goal is helping people obtain jobs and grow their careers. 

90 cents of every dollar earned from the sale of clothing and household donations goes towards Goodwill’s training programs in Wayne and Holmes Counties. Goodwill offers one-on-one case management, skills development, removal of barriers preventing employment, career exploration, retention services, and so much more! Goodwill helps area youth and adults by coaching, mentoring, supporting, and guiding them to tear down what is preventing them from success and take crucial steps towards a better future.

In the last several years, since the COVID-19 pandemic, Goodwill has experienced decreased donations from the communities in the area. “Not only are we still experiencing effects from the pandemic, but there is also a combination of other factors affecting donations to Goodwill: some of them include the surge of people selling their own stuff online [which is wonderful for the people] and increase of competing thrift shops popping up in our area…so the competition for donations is tough,” states Casey McGrady, VP of Donated Goods and Marketing at Goodwill Industries. “Most people don’t know that each Goodwill throughout the country is independent, each with their own CEO and Board of Trustees. So, donations are our lifeblood, and we cannot survive without the generosity of our communities here in Wayne and Holmes Counties. Donations allow us to do what we do best, help people locally, build people up, and transform generations.”



Please consider donating locally to a Goodwill store in Wooster, Orrville, Rittman, Millersburg, and Loudonville. Clothing, housewares, toys and games, furniture, décor, sporting goods, and small electronics/appliances are among the most needed items. Donations to your local Goodwill stay local.