Press Releases

We let the public and local news media know about Goodwill news stories through Press Releases and more frequent Media Alerts. Our most recent Press Releases are below. To join our news media list and receive our periodic Media Alerts, please email us at marketing@goodwillvalleys.com.

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys Media Contacts

Chelsea Moran, Director of Marketing & Communications
Email: marketing@goodwillvalleys.com

Media Kit

The Goodwill Industries of the Valleys Media Kit includes a history of both Goodwill Industries International and Goodwill Industries of the Valleys. It also includes a fact sheet with interesting facts about our organization and a list of media contacts.

Interested in a story about individuals with disabilities who receive services through Goodwill programs? The National Center on Disability and Journalism provides an excellent language style guide for those journalists seeking the appropriate and accurate language to use when writing or talking about people living with disabilities.

Goodwill Industries International Contacts (National Inquiries Only)

For national media interviews, email pr@goodwill.org.

General Goodwill Information

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys serves 35 counties and 14 cities throughout Central, Southwest, and Southside Virginia. Our vision to eliminate poverty is fueled by our mission of empowering individuals, strengthening families, and inspiring communities. Your donations and shopping allow Goodwill to provide skills training, job placement, and support services to help people achieve their fullest potential.

Goodwill Opening New Pantops Donation Center

Charlottesville, Virginia – Goodwill Industries of the Valleys is opening a new donation center in the Pantops area of Charlottesville. The donation center, located at 1311 Stony Point Road in Charlottesville, will serve as a standalone donation drop-off site with convenient drive-through service. There will be a Ribbon Cutting with the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce at the donation center on Wednesday, May 31st at 11 am. Everyone is welcome to attend and make a donation! The Goodwill Pantops Donation Center will be open to receive donations starting Tuesday, May 30th, with hours of operation being Monday – Saturday 9…

Goodwill Opens New Mission Services Office in Fairlawn

Fairlawn, Virginia – Goodwill Industries of the Valleys recently relocated the Radford Mission Services office to Fairlawn, Virginia. The new office, located 6129 Warren Newcomb Drive in Fairlawn, will host an open house on Tuesday, May 2nd from noon to 2 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend and learn more about the programs and services Goodwill offers to the New River Valley and take a tour of the newly renovated spaces. WHO: Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, Stephanie Hoer, Vice President of Mission Services WHAT: Fairlawn Missions Services Open House WHERE: Goodwill Fairlawn Mission Services Office | 6129 Warren Newcomb…

Goodwill Announces Architect & Engineering Partner for Melrose Plaza

Roanoke, Virginia – Goodwill Industries of the Valleys welcomes another new partnership for Melrose Plaza. The architect and engineering partner was selected through a public Request for Proposals. Goodwill is partnering with Enteros Design for the professional design and construction services of Melrose Plaza. The Melrose Plaza initiative will contribute to the strength and resilience of Northwest Roanoke and is being driven by the needs of the community. Melrose Plaza will feature a full-service grocery store, retail banking center, adult high school with free childcare, and a holistic community wellness center. The new Melrose Plaza will be located at the…

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys Welcomes Chief Philanthropy Officer

Roanoke, Virginia – Goodwill Industries of the Valleys welcomes Donna Stucker as Chief Philanthropy Officer, effective April 3, 2023. Stucker joins Goodwill’s Executive Leadership Team and will lead a new capital campaign and associated donor development. Stucker will plan and manage a comprehensive effort to grow donated funds to support Goodwill’s mission. Stucker had most recently been with the Humane Society of Charlotte for eleven years, where she served as their Chief Philanthropy Officer. In that role, she coordinated all philanthropic and marketing initiatives and created comprehensive annual plans to maximize the organization’s fundraising goals. She also redesigned and managed…

Goodwill Announces Banking Services & Marketing Partners for Melrose Plaza

Roanoke, Virginia – Goodwill Industries of the Valleys welcomes new partnerships for Melrose Plaza’s banking services and marketing. The partners were selected through Requests for Proposals. Goodwill is partnering with Bank of Botetourt to provide banking services at a new branch that will be a part of the Plaza. Wallace360, a local marketing and creative agency, will establish Melrose Plaza’s new branding and help strategic marketing and communications efforts prior to its opening. Melrose Plaza will also work with local artists, historians, educators, and Northwest small businesses to incorporate elements of Northwest history into the Plaza. The Melrose Plaza initiative…

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys Welcomes Chief People Officer

Roanoke, Virginia – Goodwill Industries of the Valleys welcomes Rachel Putman as Chief People Officer effective February 20, 2023. In this role, Putman joins Goodwill’s Executive Leadership Team and will lead Mission Services and Organizational Development which includes Human Resources, Employee Engagement, and Learning & Development. Putman had most recently been with Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands in South Carolina for eight years where she served as their Vice President of Mission and People. In that role, she was responsible for strategic leadership of Mission Services, Human Resources, and Learning & Development. She also served as the organization’s Chief Compliance Officer…

Goodwill’s 2022 Impact

Roanoke, Virginia – Goodwill Industries of the Valleys helps people achieve their fullest potential through the power of work and independence. In 2022, Goodwill provided services that helped more than 1,400 people find competitive employment. More than 900 job placements were in high-demand occupations paying higher wages and providing individuals with opportunities to advance along a career pathway. Goodwill served more people in 2022 and increased its impact through self-funding programs. There was a 53% increase in the number of people placed in employment and a 22% increase in the credentials earned. “We are excited about the impact Goodwill had…

Goodwill Focuses on Restoring Community with a New Project in Northwest Roanoke

Goodwill Industries® of the Valleys is partnering with the City of Roanoke, public and non-profit partners, as well as community stakeholders to develop a new center in Northwest Roanoke. The center will feature a grocery store, an adult high school, wellness center, and banking services. The new center will be located at the existing Goodwill Roanoke Jobs Campus which is currently home to the corporate headquarters and program services offices located at 2502 Melrose Avenue, NW, Roanoke. Goodwill has long been a proud member of the Northwest Roanoke neighborhood and is committed to contributing to the strength and resilience of…

Goodwill Opens Pulaski Donation & Employment Services Center

Pulaski, Virginia – Goodwill Industries of the Valleys is opening their first Donation & Employment Services Center in Pulaski. The center will serve as a donation drop off location as well as offering Mission Services employment programs. It will be located at 641 East Main Street in Pulaski. There will be an Open House at the center on Monday, April 11th from 10 am – 12 pm with a Ribbon Cutting at 10 am. Everyone is welcome to attend and discover more about the center, available services, or make a donation! The Pulaski Center will be open Monday – Friday…

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys’ Inspire 2026 – Strategic Plan

Roanoke, Virginia – Goodwill Industries of the Valleys celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2021. Ninety years of serving communities, families, and individuals. As Goodwill’s leadership reflected on the impact of the past ninety years, it was important to focus forward by looking back – to the roots – and find the why behind what Goodwill does. The founder, Edgar J. Helms, began Goodwill with a vision of ‘not charity, but a chance.’ He believed in giving people the opportunity to work as a path to both financial and personal independence. Such independence was key to combating poverty by providing ‘a…