Goodwill Industries of Central Texas

Goodwill Industries of Central Texas hosts various community events and campaigns throughout the year. Get the latest information and details here. Thank you for your support!

August

FOX 7’s Austin Idol Auditions at the Goodwill Community Center, August 7
“American Idol” will be roping in the contestants at the Frank Erwin Center on August 11th and while thousands are sweating in the sizzling Texas sun, YOU could be skipping to the front of the line, thanks to Goodwill, FOX 7, KISS FM and KASE FM.
That’s right, FOX 7’s Austin Idol is back and for the first time in five years, the winner is guaranteed a first round audition right here in the ATX!

September

Lakeway Grand Opening, September 18
On Saturday, September 18, 2010 the Goodwill retail store in Lakeway will open its doors! This new site will allow our customers to shop more conveniently and community members to donate more easily. The funds generated from our retail stores translate into job training, and search assistance, case management and youth service programs. Please join us for the Grand opening on Saturday, September 18, 2010.

WRKN 4 YOUTH, September 18-October 31
The Youth Services program serves more than 700 students annually, helping with educational and pre-employment services. WRKN 4 YOUTH is the main fundraising campaign for Goodwill’s Youth Services division and is used to help fund the summer youth program. For a six week period, shoppers at all Goodwill retail and bookstores are encouraged to donate.

October

Ghoulwill Ball, October 29
The Ghoulwill Ball is Austin's premiere Halloween costume party. This event will be resurrected at the Driskill Hotel on Friday, October 29 from 7:30PM-11:30PM. It's gruesome fun for a good cause, with proceeds benefitting Goodwill's job-related programs and services that help Central Texans find jobs in our community. The theme this year is ‘The 80s Resurrected’, so dress to impress our celebrity judges and you could go home the winner of our costume contest. Fabulous auction items will be available for your bidding pleasure and great entertainment will get your pulse pumping. Sponsorship opportunities are available for this ghoulishly-fabulous fundraiser..

Thank you to our sponsors:

The Count $10,000

Top Goblins $5,000

Capitol Vending and Coffee

Golden Ghouls $2,500

Friendly Ghost $1,500

Boo Buddy $500

FEBRUARY

Round Rock Grand Opening : February 13
On Saturday, February 13, 2010 the Goodwill retail store in Round Rock will move from its current location to 150 West Palm Valley Blvd. This new site will allow our customers to shop more conveniently and community members to donate more easily. The funds generated from our retail stores translate into job training, and search assistance, case management and youth service programs. Please join us for the Grand opening on Saturday, February 13, 2010.

Austin Marathon/Half Marathon : February 14
On Sunday, February 14, 2009 runners supporting Goodwill Industries of Central Texas will be participating in the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon. There will be nearly 40 bands to keep you motivated and 26 water and Powerade stops to keep you refreshed. The Austin Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier. Contact Durel Bernard at durel.bernard@austingoodwill.org for information on how to sponsor or run for Goodwill.

Fifteenth Annual Hall of Honor Banquet : February 25
This year Goodwill is proud to hold its 15^th annual Hall of Honor. This event began as a way to celebrate the achievements of people who overcame their barriers to employment, with assistance through Goodwill’s employment services. Whether through a physical disability, medical condition, learning challenge, language barrier or lack of work experience, Goodwill’s clients face employment barriers others do not. However, through the support of Goodwill’s job services and dedicated Program and Case Managers, these honorees excel beyond expectations, exemplifying Goodwill’s mission and values.

March

Spirit of Goodwill Band Documentary Premiere at SXSW: March 14-18
The documentary "For Once In My Life" will premiere during the film portion of the South By Southwest festival. It celebrates the greatness within each of us and the music that brings us together—laced together with a killer soundtrack.

DollarWorks March, 13-April 18
DollarWorks is an in-store fundraising campaign that encourages shoppers to simply donate a $1 to help support Goodwill’s job services that help Central Texans find jobs in our community. The power of your dollar helps to empower our clients. Goodwill helps people break barriers to employment by equipping them with the training and skills they need for a demanding workforce.

April

Weigh Good April, 15-18
This community-powered four day donation drive helps you turn your spring cleaning into something that’s good for the community and the environment! During Weigh Good, we invite Central Texans to donate their gently used clothing, computers, books, and vehicles to Goodwill. This drive directly serves the Goodwill mission with the funds generated from selling the donated goods in our retail stores. These funds translate into job training and search assistance as well as case management for youth and adults with obstacles to employment. Goodwill reworks your donations and reduces waste. Weigh Good is a perfect opportunity to get together with your neighbors, friends and co-workers and turn your spring cleaning into an environmentally friendly, community effort.

Idol Finale Flyaway to LA: April 12-May 9
Want to fly away to Los Angeles for the American Idol finale? Here is your chance! Stop in at one of twenty-two Goodwill locations in your area. No purchase is necessary to enter or win, just stop by a participating Central Texas Goodwill retail store to obtain an “Idol Finale Flyaway to LA!” entry form. Completed entry forms must be placed in the giveaway entry box located in the store.

May

Community Career Expo, May 12
The Community Career Expo is Austin’s most fully-inclusive job fair of the year. Thanks to a partnership between Goodwill Industries of Central Texas and the Austin Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (AMCPD) this fair helps to create a connection between employers and persons with disabilities. In its twelfth year, this Expo offers assistance to job seekers through special services provided by Spanish translators, sign language interpreters, and guides. This free job fair is open to the public and will offer job seekers access to professional resources and classes to give them a leg-up on their job search. This year’s event will be held at the Goodwill Community Center.

July

COMING SOON: Oak Hill Store Grand Opening, July 24
We are excited to announce plans to re-locate our store in Oak Hill, TX. This new site will offer the community a larger, more convenient location to shop and donate. The funds generated from our retail stores translate into job training, and search assistance, case management and more. Check back for more information on our grand opening celebration!

Brand U , July 30-August 22
Goodwill’s Brand U shopping campaign sends the message to the community, “it’s not what you wear, it’s how you wear it.” Shoppers can register at Goodwill retail stores for a chance to win a complete makeover, including a $100 Goodwill shopping spree with a personal shopper, haircut, style, coloring, eyebrow waxing and shaping, a before and after photo shoot, and the opportunity to be a model in Goodwill’s next ‘Brand U’ shopping ads.

Calendar of Events