In yesterday’s post, I wrote about the 10% Shift Campaign in New England.  The initiative encourages individuals and businesses to shift 10% of their current spending to local, independent businesses to help stimulate the local economy.

Here at Goodwill, we recently launched our month-long campaign to support independence for individuals with disabilities or other barriers to employment.  From now until July 6, Goodwill is accepting $1 donations in all 25 of our retail stores in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.  For every $1 donation you make, you are entered into a chance to win one of three Visa gift cards in the amounts of $250 or $500.

How do we use your donation?  Your contribution will help support Goodwill’s Workforce Solutions program, which helps people find – and keep – meaningful jobs.  Your contribution to the campaign, as well as your donations and purchases in our retail stores, directly supports individuals in our local northern New England communities.  Thank you for your continued support!

I read about some pretty cool green happenings this week in New Hampshire and Vermont…check ‘em out!

New Hampshire

The Green Alliance and Haley Farm Art Gallery in Kittery, Maine, is hosting its first Green Expo, called “Green Business in the Community.” It is happening tomorrow, Saturday, June 13, from 11 am to 3 pm at Haley Farm Art Gallery.  I think I might go down and check it out myself!  It is a free event and it will offer a glimpse of the latest green technologies, from biofuels to solar energy to green clothing businesses (yes!).  There will also be lots of great environmental art on display.  You can read more about the event on Seacoast Online.

Vermont

We wrote a blog post awhile ago about Project Laundry List, a NH-based organization that advocates for line-drying to save energy costs and extend the life of clothes.  I was pretty excited to read that the Vermont State Legislature passed H.446 last week, which, according to the article in Seven Days, prohibits anyone from “banning solar collectors, clotheslines or other energy devices based on renewable resources.”

Apparently, local municipalities could outlaw line-drying before this bill passed, so congratulations to Vermont: you can now line dry your laundry without worry!

Alright, Vermont!

Dear readers,

Though lately it does not seem likely, summer will  soon be here and it is a good time to get ready for outdoor adventures and to take advantage of the short, but lovely summers we have here in northern New England.
Goodwill is offering a complete line of summer accessories for a limited time.  Stop by any of our 25 retail stores in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont to browse our diverse selection of goods.

In addition to the great t-shirts, shorts, and summer dresses you will find, we are also featuring new bathing suits, beach towels, flip-flops, barbecue gear, hammocks, citronella candles, picnic gear, and lots more.  Prices on our summer items range from $1.98 to $24.98!

Have you made any summer finds at Goodwill lately?  Please share your stories with us!

This is the last post in our series highlighting green businesses in northern New England.  This is a feature we would like to bring back, so if you know of any businesses implementing green practices in Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont, please let us know or leave a comment!

Green Guides for Green Businesses

One of the great things about Vermont is the fact that there are SO MANY green businesses in the Green Mountain State.  This also makes it very difficult to pick three to highlight.  Instead, I found some great online directories (green!) that list local businesses who are implementing green practices into their business models.

First, there is the Vermont Business Environmental Partnership.  The partnership is a free and voluntary program run by the Environmental Assistance Office of Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation and the Vermont Small Business Development Center.  They help businesses “green” their operations and promote public recognition of “environmental excellence.”  You can find the businesses who members of the organization, with direct links to their websites.  There are a number of businesses involved in the partnership, including Compostable Goods, King Arthur Flour, and Vermont Green Cabinets.

Next, there is the Green Products Alliance.  According to their website, they are a “consortium of manufacturers and marketers who make and sell extraordinarily natural personal care products.”  They are based in Middlebury and have a significant number of Vermont-based businesses (though businesses in other states can join, too).  This is a great resource to find handmade, local personal care products like soap, herbs, lotions, candles, etc.  The alliance is spearheaded by Vermont Soap Organics and Seasoned Booksellers.

Lastly, and I thought this was really cool, is a guide to “green” hotels and b&b’s in Vermont.  Green Hotels in the Green Mountain State offers a complete listing of places to stay that are incorporating environmental practices into their businesses.   Whether you want to stay in Burlington or camp out on an organic farm, this is a great directory to find the ideal place for which you are looking!

If you live in Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont, be sure to tune in to your local public broadcasting television station tonight at 8 pm for the premiere of Making $ense: The Economy and Northern New England.

This is the first ever co-production between Maine Public Broadcasting, New Hampshire Public Television and Vermont Public Television.  The broadcast will feature four regional stories “that document resourceful, grassroots solutions to the looming economy.”

Specifically, they will feature stories about (from MPBN)

1. Mortgage Deferment

Maine’s Gorham Savings Bank has instituted a mortgage deferment program for its customers.  Under this new program, GSB customers finding themselves in financial hardship are afforded the opportunity to apply for a mortgage payment holiday.  To date, more than 100 customers have taken advantage of this program.

2. 10% Shift

The 10% Shift is a grassroots coalition of businesses, non-profit organizations, citizens, and goverment agencies.  Their goal is to encourage people through New England to shift 10% of their current annual spending from national chains to locally owned independet businesses ensuring a direct stimulus to the local and regional economies.

3. Time Banks

In communities throughout New England, time banks are becoming a popular way for individuals to barter for goods and services.  Vermont Public Television will visit with people making the most of time bank system, reaping great benefits while utilizing their own skills and labor.

4. Small Business

SCORE is a community-based, volunteer organization of active and retired small business ownders who counsel entrepreneurs and new small business ownders on strategies in starting and maintaining a successful business.

If you can’t watch it tonight, the program will be rebroadcast several times throughout the month of April.  Please check your local listings at MPBN, New Hampshire Public Television, and Vermont Public Television.

Goodwill is proud to be an underwriter for this exciting look at how northern New England is responding to the changing economic climate.