Get on the Bus!

Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit(GIGD) has kicked off our second annual “Get on the Bus Campaign” to raise funds to meet the transportation needs of our clients who have secured employment, but now need to get to work, mostly via bus.

That is where the rub often is….no paycheck yet to pay for transportation to and from the new job. So that’s why “Get on the Bus” can really make a difference. When one of our “new graduates” needs help with transportation for a month, three months, or for whatever time necessary, Goodwill provides the resources to make that happen – primarily with bus tokens. $50 provides a bus pass for an entire month.

Last year, through our first campaign, we helped more than 700 people with transportation needs. It is just another way that we remove a barrier to work so those we help can do what they so desperately want to do - have a job to provide for themselves and their families.

This year, GIGD is partnering with WJR-760 radio, SMART, Comcast and Caribou Coffee for a whole month (September 2nd through October 3rd) in helping us to get more of our Goodwill “graduates” to their jobs through our “Get on the Bus” efforts.

Then, on October 3rd, SMART will match every $50 we raise with another monthly bus pass. So we can help double the funds. Also on October 3rd, some local McDonald’s with collect donations at their restaurants to support this effort. So join us and “Get on the Bus”, by donating at your local Caribou Coffee, calling 1-866-964-GIVE(4483) or through www.giveabuspass.org. Help people who are helping themselves!

Dream Cruise Wrap-Up

While most of Metro Detroit slept early Sunday morning, Goodwill Industries was hard at work.

Our trainees were out overnight Saturday night doing the clean up following another successful Woodward Dream Cruise on Saturday. The Dream Cruise is yet another Detroit tradition that trusts Goodwill to handle its cleanup effort.

We were so pleased to be included through Tanner Friedman and sponsored by Guardian Alarm Company to do the cleanup in both Royal Oak and Berkley.

Our crews picked up close to two tons of garbage in about 5 hours. It’s important work to do, a great business for us, but WOW, human beings sure know how to make a mess!

This is a great opportunity for Goodwill and our trainees and we appreciate the overwhelming support of the community when news of our involvement was reported over the past few weeks. We are ready to work and continue to contribute to the World’s Largest One Day Automotive Event!

Woodward Dream Cruise

Remember when your mother told you “if you do good things, good things will happen to you in return?”

Well, I believe Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit has proven that old adage is true today - ten times over.

One example started back in 2006, when we quickly responded by helping to clean the streets for Super Bowl XL, something Detroit really needed. Roger Penske and the Downtown Detroit Partnership team remembered our efforts and we have been part of “Clean Downtown” ever since. From there, we have done special events clean-up for the Detroit Grand Prix, GM River Days, the Winter Blast and we expanded our clean-up services to the Detroit Zoo buildings earlier this year.

Now we have the opportunity to be part of another premier Metro Detroit event - the Woodward Dream Cruise. It’s possible through the generosity of Guardian Alarm Company, which has been a part of our community for more than 75 years.

We will be providing clean up service for Berkley and Royal Oak along the Cruise route once the cruising on Woodward stops late on August 16th. The Dream Cruise brings employment – no matter the duration of the work.

We have proven that we can handle one-time as well as ongoing work - whether it be clean-up, light assembly, recycling, investment recovery – for any employer looking for trained, trusted, and ready to work employees. We are ready to help! And that helps Southeast Michiganders help themselves by working rather than taking. That’s another good thing will bring good things for many.