Special to the Herald
Goodwill Industries of Central Florida (GICF) recently recognized its employees who reached milestone anniversaries in 2023 and 2024. On August 28th, the organization hosted a luncheon at the Orlando Sheraton North to thank team members for their dedicated service to Central Florida.
Of the 92 Goodwill employees honored at the special reception, 58 celebrated five-year work anniversaries; 22 commemorated 10 years; six were recognized for 15 years while three team members reached 20 years. Two employees also celebrated 25 years with the organization, and both shared what has motivated them over the last quarter of a century.
“Knowing that I have the ability to make a difference in someone’s life every day by giving my all,” said Rebecca P.
Thomas R. added: “I wake up every morning and go to work knowing that what I do makes a difference.”
The luncheon is one of many ways Goodwill aims to support its employees in achieving their professional and personal goals. Since the start of 2021, the nonprofit raised pay for frontline workers by 40%, introduced its Prosperity Planning long-term relationship coaching program, and began offering all part- and full-time employee with 90 days of continuous employment 100% pre-paid coverage of tuition and associated costs to dozens of Florida technical schools, colleges and universities.
“Our team members are the driving force behind Goodwill’s mission of ‘Building Lives that Work’,” said Ed Durkee, President and CEO at Goodwill Industries of Central Florida. “We are immensely grateful for their hard work and dedication to improving the communities we serve. Today is about celebrating them and all that they’ve accomplished.”
For more information about Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, including browsing the job openings within the organization, visit www.GoodwillCFL.org.
About Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, Inc. (GICF)
For 65 years, Goodwill Industries of Central Florida has provided vocational and job placement services to tens of thousands of people living in Central Florida. Through 31 retail/outlet stores and 18 Donation Xpress locations in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake and Volusia counties, Goodwill diverted nearly 24 million pounds of clothing and household items from landfills in 2023. Goodwill Industries of Central Florida directly channels more than 90 percent of its annual revenue into programs that enable individuals to secure meaningful employment, achieve their personal goals and thrive economically.
