Goodwill Industries of Central Arizona in November partnered with 95 Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council troops, including some representing the North Central Phoenix area, to hold a large donation drive aimed at helping the girls fulfill their recycling community service patch called “Go Green with Goodwill.”
Participants included Girl Scout Troop 1709, based out of Orangewood Elementary. The troop includes 21 girls from kindergarten through third grade. All 21 girls participated in the drive, with the requirement of gathering three tall kitchen garbage bags’ worth of donated goods per girl. Some more than exceeded that goal, said troop leader Cheryl Kahle.
The girls collected donations from family, friends and neighbors, and troop leaders and parent volunteers dropped off the donations at Goodwill stores.
This year the program generated nearly 45,000 pounds of donations—almost double the 25,000 pounds that was collected last year. More than 850 Girl Scouts who participated in the program earned the Go Green with Goodwill patch.
“With 95 Girl Scout troops participating, it’s a great way to promote the importance in recycling and share the mission of Goodwill,” said Jackie Halleen, Goodwill’s vice president of retail operations.
“At Girl Scouts, some of our core values are environmental stewardship and leadership,” said Cristi Pontius, program logistics coordinate at Girl Scouts. “Our partnership with Goodwill allows us to bring these values to life. Girls have the opportunity to make a lasting impression in their communities and environment, while also supporting a great organization.”
