Goodwill celebrates Power of Work

May 06, 2009|By ERIN CUNNINGHAM

HAGERSTOWN -- Carla Wolfe said more customers are looking for deals at the Goodwill retail store she manages in Waynesboro, Pa., as the recession affects more area residents.

"We've been busier," said Wolfe, of Mercersburg, Pa. "We've been working hard."

Her store was one of five honored Wednesday for meeting or exceeding their sales goals during Horizon Goodwill Industries' 54th annual Power of Work Awards Dinner at Cortland Mansion.

There are 12 retail stores in the four-state area, said Virginia Stotler, director of retail operations.

Ten awards were given during the ceremony Wednesday to Goodwill employees, clients and business partners. Goodwill offers job training and other programs for those who are disabled or disadvantaged, and funds those efforts through sales at their retail stores, said Deb Carbaugh, manager of marketing and community relations.

"We help them find work," she said. "Because we believe work is power."

About 1,300 people used Goodwill's jobs programs and other services last year, Executive Director and CEO Craig MacLean said. About two-thirds of those people suffer from disabilities, and the others come from disadvantaged conditions.

Chris Robbins, 24, of Hancock, received the Achiever of the Year Award. Robbins, who is deaf and has other disabilities, started working for Goodwill in 2007, and quickly was trained to do many different jobs for the company. He still does some of the landscaping work at the Prospect Street building and through the Goodwill jobs programs, he also was able to begin working at Burger King on Maugans Avenue, Robbins said through an interpreter.

Robbins does cleaning and maintenance work there and said he enjoys the job.

Nicole Busch, 25, of Cumberland, Md., said she had something in her past that prevented her from getting a good job. But after she began working for Goodwill in May 2008, they helped her find jobs in the area, and she was hired at Hunter Douglas in Cumberland, where she inspects blinds.

Busch received the Bennett S. Rubin Graduate of the Year award.

"Our job is to get them through their barriers and teach them what it takes to be good employees," MacLean said.

The following received awards Wednesday night at Horizon Goodwill Industries' 54th annual Power of Work Awards Dinner at Cortland Mansion.

o Chairman's Award -- Kirk Downey

o Retiring board members -- Lynn Meyers, Gann Breichner and Marianne Zeigler

o Outstanding Sales for the Year -- Keyser, W.Va., LaVale, Md., Hagerstown, Charles Town, W.Va., Waynesboro, Pa.

o Company of the Year -- ACS of Frostburg, Md.

o Employer of the Year -- Morgan County Senior Center, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.

o Business of the Year -- Quad/Graphics of Martinsburg, W.Va.

o Chuck Robinette Spirit of Goodwill Award -- John Henry Maffley of Cumberland, Md.

o Achiever of the Year -- Chris Robbins of Hancock

o Bennett S. Rubin Graduate of the Year -- Nicole Busch of Cumberland, Md.

o Massy H. Roe Community Service Award -- Bob Barnhart and Audrey Harrington

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