Donation campaign for a change

Posted by Clare Jensen on February 2, 2010 at 5:10 pm

PHOTO COURTESY OF TACOMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Shay Clark of Stephanie Lawrence's class at Washington-Hoyt Elementary School, hands over a bag of used clothing to a Tacoma Goodwill employee Jan. 29.

Tacoma’s first “Donate and Change Lives” campaign started Jan. 19 as elementary students in Tacoma Public Schools begin collecting used clothing and shoes to donate to Tacoma Goodwill.
So far more than 4,000 pounds of clothing has been collected at two Tacoma schools Sherman (1,358 pounds) and Washington-Hoyt (2,707 pounds). Throughout the coming months, donations will be picked up at all of Tacoma’s 37 elementary schools. The next pick-up dates on the schedule are at Point Defiance Elementary School Feb. 11, and Lister and Stafford Elementary Schools Feb. 26.
“This is a great opportunity to teach children about the importance of going ‘green’ and giving back to the community,” said Terry Hayes, Tacoma Goodwill CEO, noting that donations directly help Goodwill's job training and placement programs.
Assistant Superintendent for Tacoma Public Schools Rosanne Fulton said the campaign is important for staff and students.
“The Tacoma Public Schools staff members are very interested in strengthening our partnership with our business and nonprofit communities to support student motivation and learning,” she said. “Goodwill’s donation campaign... is beneficial to our students and beneficial to the overall community.”
This is the first year for the “Donate and Change Lives” campaign in Tacoma.
The donations are tax deductible and remain in the community. Goodwill has 11 stores and 21 donation sites in Pierce County. Locations and information about donations are available at http://www.tacomagoodwill.org.