Goodwill of the Coastal Empire is pleased to announce its 50th anniversary. In observation of this milestone, the company is celebrating “Five Decades Serving the Coastal Empire.”

This series of events will kick off on Thursday, October 1 with an anniversary reception from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the 7220 Sallie Mood Dr. location. During the reception, a VIP fashion show emceed by stylist Ashley Borders will showcase local designers collaborating with Goodwill of the Coastal Empire.

Join the Goodwill stores around the region to celebrate the organization’s partnerships, loyal customers and local employment opportunities.

Tuesday, October 6: Sallie Mood Job Fair and Customer Appreciation Day

Tuesday, October 13: Statesboro Job Fair, Partner and Customer Appreciation Day

Tuesday, October 20: Brunswick Job Fair, Partner and Customer Appreciation Day

Check out our website and social media pages for other celebrations around the Coastal Empire.


Goodwill was founded in 1902 in Boston by Rev. Edgar J. Helms, a Methodist minister and early social innovator. The non-profit came to Savannah in 1965 with eight employees and a $60,000 budget in a time when there were few community organizations helping people with disabilities. Today, Goodwill of the Coastal Empire has more than 850 employees and a budget of $27+ million. In 2014, it provided services to 9,885 people and placed 2,421 people into employment through various programs offered throughout 33 counties in the coastal Georgia and South Carolina region.

“As social enterprise committed to working with those that have obstacles to sustainable employment, our goal is to make a difference in their lives and positively impact the community we serve,” said Michael Winckler, CEO. “We strive to foster inclusiveness where people with obstacles and challenges can participate fully in our workforce, give back, and achieve their highest level of self-sufficiency. At this time we want to thank the community for fifty years of support to our mission.”

Helms described Goodwill Industries as an “industrial program as well as a social service enterprise…a provider of employment, training and rehabilitation for people of limited employability, and a source of temporary assistance for individuals whose resources were depleted.”

“Dr. Helms’ vision set an early course for what today has become a $4 billion nonprofit organization across our nation, and a vital corporate participant in our local economic landscape,” echoed Winckler. “Because of the foundation he established, and the hard work of those who brought this organization to life here, Goodwill of the Coastal Empire will continue to provide high-quality, community-based employment and family strengthening services to individuals with challenges for the next 50 years, and well beyond.”