Television News Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Alfred G. Vanderbilt: (203) 855-9111 or Jose Medellin: 718-777-6335

PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO GOODWILL!

Astoria NY, December 9, 2008 – In a real sign of the times, more people have been shopping at Goodwill since the economy has worsened. And with so many out of work and looking for badly needed bargains, Goodwill needs your donations more than ever before.

Goodwill’s store sales support programs for people with disabilities, and other special needs. Donations in the form of cash and checks are very welcome, too.

Suggested Story Visuals:

• Unemployment lines
• Shoppers donating clothing
• Store interior - Goodwill
• IRS itemized tax receipts
• The Goodwill processing center, which employs people with disabilities

"There’s no better way to celebrate the holidays than by helping people who are less fortunate than you are," says Rex L. Davidson, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc. Davidson says by donating to Goodwill now, donors can get tax credits in 2009.

·           For your tax deduction to count in April 2009, you must make a donation before December 31, 2008

The IRS requires an itemized receipt.  Goodwill accepts clothing, shoes, accessories, linens, household items, toys and even computers, which are recycled. Donated merchandise in good condition will be sold at Goodwill stores and on www.shopgoodwill.com. Proceeds go to support the charity’s excellent programs. For more information or to locate the store nearest to you, visit /findgoodwill.aspx

Interviews:

• Rex L. Davidson, CEO Goodwill NY/NJ

Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, serves more than 120,000 persons a year and places 13,000 individuals in jobs, including almost 2,800 people with disabilities. It provides educational and recreational in-school and after-school programs for 6,500 children and youth. Altogether, New York-New Jersey Goodwill offers more than 85 programs at 30 locations and has 36 stores. It is a member of Goodwill Industries International, a network of 181 local, autonomous organizations in the United States and Canada, with 45 international associate members in 34 countries. 

GOODWILL STORES & ATTENDED DONATION CENTER

Manhattan

23rd Street, 220 E. 23rd St. (2nd-3rd Ave.), 10010; (212) 447-7270

79th Street, 217 W. 79th St. (Broadway.-Amsterdam), 10024; (212) 874-5050

Chelsea, 103 W. 25th St. (6th Ave.), 10001; (646) 638-1725

East Harlem, 2231 3rd Ave. (121st-122nd St.), 10035; (212) 410-0973

Harlem, 2196 5th Ave. (135th St.), 10037; (212) 862-0020

Stuyvesant, 1704 2nd Ave. (88th-89th St.), 10128; (212) 831-1830

Washington Heights, 512 W. 181st St. (Audubon), 10033; (212)-923-7910

Bronx

149th Street, 361 E. 149th St. (Courtlandt-Melrose), 10455; (718) 292-1083

Fordham Road, 52 W. Fordham Rd. (Grand-University), 10468; (718) 733-2453

Brooklyn

Fulton, 1100-1104 Fulton St. (Classon-Franklin), 11238; (718) 789-0856

Kings Highway, 229 Tapscott St. (Kings Hwy.), 11212; (718) 566-7095

Livingston, 258 Livingston St. (Schermerhorn-Bond), 11201; (718) 923-9037

Queens

Steinway, 32-36 Steinway St. (Broadway), Astoria, 11103; (718) 932-0418

Long Island

Bellmore, 2736 Merrick Rd. (Bellmore Ave.), 11710; (516) 409-5951

Centereach, 1500 Middle Country Rd. (Nicholls), 11720; (631) 698-0860

East Northport, 1900 Jericho Tnpk. (Elwood), 11731; (631) 462-4219

Patchogue, 479 E. Main St. (near Blockbuster), 11772; (631) 207-0623

Hudson Valley

Baldwin Place (Somers), 80 Route 6 (Somers Commons Center), 10505; (914) 621-0781

Croton-on-Hudson, 440 S. Riverside Ave. (Croton Point), 10520; (914) 827-9311

Elmsford, 380 North Saw Mill River Rd. (Skyline Dr.), 10523; (914) 347-4376

Nanuet, 130 W. Route 59 (Nova Lighting Building), 10954; (845) 624-0187

Vails Gate, 374 Windsor Hwy. (Big V Town Centre), 12584; (845) 569-8265

Wappingers Falls, 1488 Route 9 (Myers Corner Rd.), 12590; (845) 298-0311

Capital Region & West

Amsterdam, Towne Square Shopping Center (Rt. 30), 12010; (518) 842-5026

Colonie, 1 Fuller Rd. (Central Ave.), 12205; (518) 459-5580

East Greenbush Donation Center, 501 Columbia Turnpike, 12061; (518) 479-1828

Herkimer, Herkimer Commons, 129 E. Albany St., 13350; (315) 866-1212

Hudson, 350 Fairview Ave. (Columbia Center), 12534; (518) 671-6246

Kingston, 1306 Ulster Ave. (by Hudson Valley Mall), 12401; (845) 336-3303

Rotterdam, Hannaford Plaza, 1400 Altamont Ave., 12303; (518) 355-4265

Troy, 720 Hoosick Rd. (Brunswick Plaza), 12180; (518) 272-8451

Northern New Jersey

Bergenfield, 507A S. Washington Ave. (near Armory), 07621; (201) 385-5154

East Brunswick, 415 Highway 18 (W. Ferris St.), 08816; (732) 651-1091

Fairfield, 423 Route 46 West. (Hollywood Ave./Rt. 625), 07004; (973) 227-1842

Harrison, 400 Supor Blvd. (Harrison Ave.), 07029; (973) 481-4355

Jersey City, 2815 John F. Kennedy Blvd. (Journal Square), 07306; (201) 946-6735

Springfield, 126 Route 22 West (Stern Ave.), 07081; (973) 912-0156