Goodwill Industries International recently launched a new public awareness movement to emphasize the positive impact that donating clothing and other household goods can have on communities and the planet. Through its "Donate Movement," Goodwill is challenging people to rid their closets and homes of unwanted items and put them to good use by donating them.

As part of this effort, Goodwill International is unveiling a new "D" donation icon with the goal that it will become a universally recognized symbol stamped on donated items. Businesses — starting with jeans giant Levi Strauss & Co. — have partnered with Goodwill to show their support of the Donate Movement and impact positive social change and environmental sustainability in communities everywhere.

In our backyard alone, Goodwill Industries of Arkansas donors made over 186,000 donations in 2009 — and it is our organization's goal to reuse and repurpose as much of that material as possible in order to keep these items out of the landfills. Revenues generated by these donations helped serve over 4000 individuals through our programs and services last year!

When you are ready to give, please find out whether the organization receiving those gifts is a for-profit enterprise or a nonprofit organization committed to local needs. Goodwill provides job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based services to people with disabilities, those who lack education or job experience and others facing challenges to finding employment here in Arkansas.

Keep your eye out for the "D" donation icon. Remember, the Donate Movement starts with all of us — and each contribution of new or gently-used items helps Goodwill sustain and grow its mission.

To learn about Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, please visit www.goodwillar.org. For information about the Donate Movement, visit http://donate.goodwill.org.

Donations=Chances Video