NOKOMIS, FL – Goodwill Manasota is continuing its efforts to strengthen communities and lower barriers to community support through the strategic lease and purchase of new retail and donation locations. On January 20, the organization opened a new 3,650-square-foot attended donation center (ADC) in Nokomis; the Laurel Square ADC is located at 8479 Precision Drive.

With this new location, Goodwill hopes to support growth in the area, provide a convenient option for residents to donate gently-used goods, and maximize retail revenues in support of its mission services. This is the twentieth of Goodwill Manasota’s ADCs; additionally, community members can drop off donations at Goodwill’s retail stores, bookstores, and the veterans services office on north Lockwood Ridge Road in Sarasota.

ADCs play a crucial role in supporting Goodwill’s mission of changing lives through the power of work. Each donation of gently-used goods dropped off at a Goodwill ADC is sold in one of its retail stores in Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Hardee counties. The money from those retail sales funds jobs and related programs at Goodwill for workers with barriers to employment, free career services as well as education and training programs through Goodwill’s Community Resource Centers, and services to help veterans reintegrate into their communities, families and jobs.

“The community’s support is critical to the work we do: 2,400 donations enable us to create one full-time job,” said Goodwill Manasota president and CEO Donn Githens. “We want to ensure the most pleasant and convenient experience for our generous donors and hope the Laurel Square ADC will become a regular stop for community members looking to support a great cause while diverting their gently-used items from area landfills.”

For more information - including a listing of all retail locations and donation centers - visit experiencegoodwill.org.

PHOTO ID: Thomas Bloomfield (left), assistant team lead, ADC operations with Jesus Baracaldo, ADC attendant

Courtesy photo/Goodwill Manasota

About Goodwill Manasota

Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit 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.