nwasianweekly.com
Mar. 24, 2007

Photos provided by Goodwill

Water and mud destroyed all the computers at Goodwill’s Dearborn Street building.

Water, then kindness, floods into Goodwill

Ever see the movie “Titanic”? Then you know what Goodwill’s Dearborn Street building looked like the evening of Dec. 14, 2006.

During a period of exceptionally heavy rainfall, water flooded into the building’s second floor, pouring down stairways and elevators, even through the ceiling. Only the retail floor was spared in the mess that destroyed Goodwill’s classrooms, warehouse, production area and administrative offices. All the computers were ruined, not to mention many parts of the building itself.

“Imagine the water removal, then the mud,” said Goodwill president and CEO Ken Colling. “Every area (except the retail floor) … had four to six inches of water.”

It was a devastating setback to a nonprofit organization that does so much good for our community. For more than 80 years, Goodwill has provided job skills training and adult basic education to individuals and families in need. It has been responsible for countless success stories — stories in which people become productive and self-sufficient members of the community through Goodwill’s programs. Its motto is simple: “Because jobs change lives.”

The flood forced Goodwill to scramble to create temporary classrooms and offices for the staff. Not until this week was it able to re-establish its full component of programs and services. Some of the credit must go to volunteers who gave up a recent Saturday to help repaint damaged areas.

Organized by the Rotary Club of Seattle, the 60 volunteers came from Rotary, Bank of America and Goodwill to complete one of the final pieces of the recovery process. They happily refurbished the building in time for 300 students to return to their classes on March 19.

In addition to the donation of time and energy by these volunteers, Goodwill has received more than $20,000 from community members who learned of the devastation. Other organizations and businesses have also chipped in, including The Nesholm Family Foundation, which gave Goodwill a $25,000 grant for building improvements. Tim Bendokas of Bendokas Painting and Jane Carlson donated the paint for the painting party. Romio’s Pizza offered a discount for lunch, while Tully’s provided coffee and one donor paid for pastries so the volunteers would have sustenance to keep going.

It truly has taken a village to get Goodwill back on its feet. A big thank you goes out to all the volunteers and donors who gave generously and selflessly of their time and money. Goodwill could not have gotten back on its feet without them. We are moved by their willingness to help.

That’s one of the great things about Americans. We like to help strangers, even when we have nothing to gain from it. In some countries, it’s unheard of to sacrifice a day of your life, even to sacrifice some of your money, to help those less fortunate. But in America, the spirit of generosity continues to surprise and inspire us.

Goodwill isn’t completely back to normal, though. While its retail store on Dearborn, from which it obtains much of its funding, was spared, a significant amount of inventory that had been stored for slow periods for donated goods was ruined by the water. Goodwill is asking community members to continue donating clothing, books, toys and household items so it can sustain its important programs.

Yes, you can make a difference for Goodwill. It’s easy. Look around your home for items that are no longer useful to you and your family. You’ll be surprised at how much you can come up with. Bag it all up and head to the nearest Goodwill drop-off site.

Goodwill can also use financial donations. Just visit www.seattlegoodwill.org or call 206-329-1000 for more information.

Goodwill has given so much to the community that it’s only right that we step forward to help in Goodwill’s time of need.

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