SouthTech employees share holiday spirit through donation drive benefiting Goodwill

SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL – Goodwill Manasota was recently chosen as the recipient of items collected during SouthTech’s company-wide seasonal donation drive. Employees donated more than 150 pounds of unwanted and unneeded goods, which will be used to further Goodwill’s mission of changing lives through the power of work.

The companies became connected through their mutual commitment to green business practices. SouthTech, a regional provider of professional IT services, became a “Sarasota County Green Business Partner” in July of this year; that partnership is complimentary to Goodwill’s commitment to the environment. In 2013, Goodwill Manasota diverted 37 million pounds from local landfills, and that number continues to increase through partnerships with companies like SouthTech.

“When we began discussing our donation drive throughout the company, we chose Goodwill Manasota because of the great impact they have in our community,” said Lori Denny, SouthTech’s marketing and communications manager. “Our company focuses on giving back, and we understand that our donated items are going to end up helping people in our community – all while creating jobs. We believe that we have a responsibility to the environment, and our commitment to remaining a green company makes our partnership with Goodwill a no brainer!”

The internal donation drive lasted for two weeks. The 32 employees who work at SouthTech donated items ranging from small kitchen appliances to clothing and housewares. “The donation drive was perfectly timed – we are fortunate to live and work in this philanthropic community, and our team really came together to make this drive a success,” said Denny.

“We are so excited about companies who choose to donate to Goodwill because they are making a difference in our local community. When you donate to or shop at Goodwill, you are directly helping us to place people in jobs,” said Bob Rosinsky, Goodwill Manasota’s president & CEO. “We want to thank SouthTech for its work and its employees for their donated items. With their help, we will continue to work to increase employment, support our local economy and reduce the number of items delivered to area landfills.”

PHOTO ID: Representatives from Goodwill Manasota and SouthTech during the collection of donation drive goods include (from l-r) Aaron Miller, Donna Evans, Joshua Jett, Greg Moore, Lori Denny, Michelle Tindell, John Briggs, Margie Reher, Casey Schick and Morgan Gerhart

About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2013, we served more than 16,000 people, placed 537 people in jobs and assisted 329 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $81.3 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted 37 million pounds out of the landfill. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.

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