A few weeks ago, we announced the Thrift Store Petition started by the Thrifty Chicks blog.  Since then, they have received quite a bit of national attention.  More and more people are signing up to express their support of thrift store shopping.  What’s the fuss all about?  Check out the following stories:

Thrify Chicks on MSN Money

Thrift Store Shopping as Renewable Energy

Opinion Piece in the Christian Sciece Monitor

Shopping Golightly on NBC

Don’t forget to sign the petiion on Facebook and if you would like to promote the petition on your blog, let us know, and we’ll send you the badge.  The Thrifty Chicks and their partner blogs (including us!) are working to bring attention the many social, economic, and environmental benefits of thrift store shopping.  Won’t you join the cause?

Good evening readers!

I am here in Burlington, Vermont, gearing up for the Goodwill & Bon-Ton Donation Drive & Spring Sale!  Tomorrow, March 11, from 9 am to 2 pm, we will be at the Bon-Ton in South Burlington, VT and Concord, NH, accepting your generous donations.  In exchange for every item donated, you get TWO coupons to Bon-Ton for 20% off your purchase!

Many of you may not be too familar with Bon-Ton.  They are a great department store, mostly popular in the Midwest.  They have women’s, men’s & kids clothing, as well as home and bath products, bags, accessories, and beauty products.  We are fortunate that the two locations in New England have partnered with us for this exciting event.   

Can’t make it out tomorrow?  No worries, the promotions runs from March 11-March 24.  You can bring in your donations at any point during this period and receive one coupon per donation.

Bon-Ton launched the Million Acts of Goodwill website in which you track your donation as we aim to hit our nationwide goal of one million donations!  You can log on, learn more about Goodwill’s mission, get tips for cleaning your your closets, and get the spring’s latest fashion trends.

We look forward to seeing everyone out there!

Hey readers!

Goodwill kicked off its annual spring fundraiser yesterday.  This year we are doing something a little different.  We are raising funds to support Goodwill’s green initiatives to help lessen our impact on the environment.

For every dollar you donate in support of the Give Green-Get Green initiative between March 2 and March 31, you will be entered into a chance to one of three Visa gift cards.

(1) – $500 Visa Gift Card

(1) - $250 Visa Gift Card

(1) – $250 Visa Gift Card

All 25 retail stores in northern New England are participating in the Give Green-Get Green fundraiser.

What do the donations support?
As one of the early recycling leaders, Goodwill is committed to increasing its effort to help the environment while improving the lives of those we serve. This retail initiative will help Goodwill’s programs and services become “greener” by helping Goodwill purchase items such as:

* Low water use toilets and urinals

* Bike racks for some of our retail stores and other locations

* Shrubbery and other items that help to improve Goodwill’s “green spaces”

* Replacement windows and improved insulation for our buildings

* …as well as other items that help us serve our program participants while improving the environment

Questions?

Please call Rich Cantz at (207) 774-6323 x2315.

Mark your calendars, readers! From March 2 through March 8, Ann Taylor LOFT and Goodwill Industries of Northern New England invites you to donate a pair of gently worn pants at participating Loft store and save $15 on a new pair of pants!

Where you can Donate:

LOFT, South Portland, ME: Maine Mall, 364 Maine Mall Road

LOFT, Newington, NH: Fox Run Mall, 50 Fox Run Mall

LOFT, Burlington, VT: 49 Church Street

I hope everyone can make it out, it’s a great deal! All pant donations will be sold in Goodwill stores. Revenue from retail sales helps to support Goodwill’s job training programs and support services.

The staff at Ann Taylor will even help you pick out the best pair of pants for your style. Loft offers three “feminine and fashionable pant fits all body types”: Ann, a classic fit; Marissa, a modern fit; and Julie, a curvy fit. Be sure to pick up a great pair of new pants and help Goodwill’s programs all in one transaction!

The Thrifty Chicks have started a petition to create a National Thrift Store Month and bring attention to the economic and environmental benefits of shopping in thrift stores. As they state on their blog, “This is poetic shopping. Buy a repurposed item and the profits go to repurposing a life!”

They are working to educate and recruit people to the cause. Join the Petition for National Thrift Store Month on Facebook by clicking on the image above (you can also find a direct link on our blog right beneath the blogroll). Spread the word and recruit your friends, family, and co-workers! We need to work together to gain a national momentum!

Reminder: Top Five Reasons to Shop Thrift Stores

1.Thrift store shopping is green! It gives a second life to goods and keeps usable goods out of the landfill.

2. From Thrifty Chicks: “Thrifting is economical and can knock thousands of dollars off an annual budget without knocking the quality of many products.”

3. Thrift store shopping often supports non-profits that offer a variety of services for individuals. At Goodwill, revenue from our stores helps to fund our job training programs and support services. That is purposeful shopping!

4. Thrift store shopping allows you to create a style all your own. There is nothing more satisfying than finding original and one-of-a-kind items that speaks to your personal aesthetic.

5. Thrift store shopping is a lesson in history. Looking through the racks and shelves of thrift stores, we find clothing, pictures, art, home goods, and unique items that speak to the material culture of the past.