The Everglades University – Sarasota Campus recently partnered with Goodwill Manasota and its Veterans Services program to collect items to benefit homeless veterans. The Everglades University donation drive – which ran from mid-August through mid-September – resulted in the collection of items such as socks, T-shirts, canned food, Slim Jims, trail mix and other snacks, mini water bottles, combs, deodorant and more; these items are being packed into backpacks and distributed to homeless veterans served by Goodwill’s American Veterans and Their Families program.

At Everglades University, students, staff and faculty choose a nonprofit to support each month. The veteran-serving charitable effort is a particularly good fit for the campus: Everglades University is a yellow ribbon school, serving many veterans who are on campus getting their education after serving our country. The partnership was cemented after school representatives visited the Veterans Services program office a handful of years ago and heard how Goodwill works to address critical needs of the local veteran population.

“The Everglades University – Sarasota Campus has a significant military population; we are proud to continue our partnership with Goodwill Manasota’s Veterans Services program and participate in its backpack donation drive,” said Caroline King, campus vice president. “EU Sarasota is honored to support veterans, who served so bravely to protect our freedom, as they transition into the workforce. We want to thank our Armed Forces community and honor their service to our country.”

Goodwill’s Veterans Services program works to help eliminate barriers to employment, provide opportunities for higher-paying positions for veterans and their families, and connect veterans with needed social services. It also offers networking opportunities and emergency financial assistance – which is particularly important for veterans without housing or at risk of becoming homeless.

For more about Goodwill, visit experiencegoodwill.org.

About Goodwill Manasota

Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With philanthropic donations and revenue generated by the sales of donated goods, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities, veterans, seniors, and those with other barriers to employment by providing jobs, job skills training, and free career services. For more information or for a listing of locations, visit experiencegoodwill.org or call 941-355-2721.