NEW PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCED BETWEEN GOODWILL AND AUSTIN HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Austin Habitat for Humanity is teaming up with Goodwill Industries of Central Texas to test a new program of making area donations of goods and materials more convenient for Austin residents.

"It's all about convenience," said Michael Willard, Austin Habitat for Humanity Executive Director. "When you're cleaning out your garage, you don't want to have to make multiple trips to local charities. Through this new partnership, you can drop off your donation of building materials and household goods in a single stop."

The Austin Habitat RE-store at 7434 N. Lamar, a retail discount home improvement center of new and used building materials, will house a Goodwill collection container for donations of household goods such as clothing and house wares.

The Cedar Park Goodwill store at 75 Brushy Creek Rd. now hosts a collection site for Habitat RE-store new and used building materials donations, including lighting, doors, windows and lumber. The pilot program is a new venture for the two retail outlets, each of which produces revenue to support their organization's core missions, but the effort is far from the first cooperative agreement for the pair.

"Austin Habitat and Goodwill have a strong history together. We've worked for many years to make sure that Austin donors know their contributions are needed and welcomed in this community...if not at Habitat then at Goodwill," said Willard. "This step strengthens our relationship and provides donors the opportunity to see non-profits working together to make Austin a better place to live."

Jerry Davis, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Texas, agreed. "Making this easy for the donor should drive donations upward and that gives us more funding for our missions,” he said.