Deieon’s quiet determination is evident in every step of his journey. Despite the challenge of low to no vision, he has fully engaged in his job search, attending every meeting, collaborating with our team to build his resume, and practicing his interview skills. In this captured moment, Deieon is scheduling an interview for a dishwashing position—a small action that represents the culmination of his hard work, resilience, and commitment to reengaging with the community. We are proud to support Deieon and celebrate this important milestone in his journey.
It’s the Spookiest time of the year! Halloween! We want to see your creativity shine! Goodwill Industries of NW Ohio is hosting a DIY Costume Contest where you can show off your spookiest, funniest, or most original looks, while giving thrifted finds a second life and individuals in your community a second chance.
Here’s how to enter your creative costume:
How to Enter
Create your costume using at least 2–3 items purchased from Goodwill Industries of NW Ohio store locations.
Take a photo of your receipts; you’ll need them to verify your entry.
Have someone take a photo of you in your finished costume.
Explain the items that you found at Goodwill in your post.
Follow @GoodwillNow on both Facebook and Instagram.
MAKE SURE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA IS SET TO PUBLIC SO WE CAN FIND YOU.
Contest Details
Opens: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Closes: Sunday, November 2nd, 2025, at 12:00 AM
Judging: Goodwill NW Ohio staff will select winners based on creativity and originality.
Prizes
1st Place: $100 Goodwill gift card
2nd Place: $50 Goodwill gift card
3rd Place: $25 Goodwill gift card
Rules & Guidelines
Entries must be submitted between October 8 and November 2 at 12:00 AM.
Participants under 18 years old must have a parent or legal guardian submit their entry.
Crafting pieces into your costume is allowed, but you must use 2-3 pieces from Goodwill (whether it is clothing or craft supplies).
All entries must be appropriate for all audiences. Goodwill NW Ohio reserves the right to remove any inappropriate submissions.
Get creative, have fun, and don’t forget to thrift your costume pieces at Goodwill! We can’t wait to see your spooky, silly, and spectacular creations.
Winners will be revealed LIVE on Good Finds and will be posted to our social media and website November 6th.
Goodwill’s Defiance Job Connection Center Navigator Amy Bach provided valuable resources at the Defiance Operation Bridge event hosted at the Defiance Mall. Bridge is operated by the Defiance narcotics unit. The purpose of the event is to provide a coalition to bring agencies together to help individuals enter back successfully into the community. Amy was able to provide workforce development and wrap-around services to participants.
Caleb is not just working at Meijer, he is also thriving in his role in shipping and receiving! Caleb was referred to Goodwill by Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and has found his fit at Meijer. Staying active and moving around is a big benefit of the job, and it’s clear he’s found a great match. His enthusiasm for his work is infectious, and it is terrific to see him succeeding in an environment that suits him so well.
Caleb’s story reminds us that when individuals are placed in roles where they can be their best, everyone benefits!
How to Bring the Whole Family Together this Thanksgiving
Times have seriously changed since your oldest relative’s first memorable Thanksgiving. Yet, all of the best things this holiday has to offer remain the same: family, food and gratefulness. Some holidays are exciting for each generation for different reasons. With Halloween, for example, kids love trick-or-treating, most teens and young adults love Halloween parties and many adults enjoy setting the scene with fun décor. But with Thanksgiving, the youngest and oldest people at the table are all there for the same reasons. It’s a holiday that truly brings us all together.
Family Memories from Thanksgivings Past
Nicole at Goodwill of Orange County (Santa Ana, CA) shared a heartwarming story of her traditional family Thanksgiving over on their blog. She wrote that although the table was only ever set for eight, her granny placed such an emphasis on the importance of the day that anyone she spoke to would have thought she was hosting 30 more. It’s this kind of significance that we can all recognize in our own celebrations no matter our age. It made such an impact on Nicole that she decided it was necessary for her to follow in her grandma’s footsteps with all the pomp that granny would have carefully set herself. Seeing as Nicole was just starting out, she knew that the only way to acquire entire sets of Thanksgiving-worthy dishware would be to shop for it at Goodwill. The results were exactly as anticipated. She checked out of her local thrift haven with more than enough plates and platters for three Thanksgiving feasts!
Kids and Thanksgiving
Although little ones attend Thanksgiving without a lot of responsibility, even at a very young age they know it isn’t just any other day. The importance of the holiday is instilled within us almost from the start. Perhaps that’s because people of all ages can pinpoint what they are thankful for whether that’s a warm home, a rewarding job or — if you’re the daughter of blogger Corey Moortgat — pumpkin pie! This delightful treat was exactly the motivation Avery needed to get through a family photoshoot when she and her siblings were decked out in their perfect Thanksgiving outfits from Goodwill! Mom was delighted to note that one of the shirts was even handmade! In her blog post, she mentions how surprised she was to find something hand-stitched at Goodwill, but the truth of the matter is that you can find just about anything at Goodwill! Since Goodwill has earned the trust and support of more than 86 million donors in the U.S. and Canada, you might even find the silver buckle from a pilgrim’s shoe! Now wouldn’t that be something for the centerpiece.
I don’t know if my family is unique in this, but when we set the table (centerpiece included) we all do it together. A few people carry in small stacks of plates, others grab napkins, and the little ones set the silverware. It isn’t one job of many that the host completes, but, as with every other aspect of Thanksgiving, it’s something we all share. With that in mind, when I saw these last-minute fall décor ideas from Horizon Goodwill Industries (Hagerstown, MD) I was particularly charmed by the hurricane candle holder idea filled with leaves! A quick project like this is something that an eight or 80 year old can collaborate on together to prep the table before the turkey’s carved. My local thrift shops are brimming with glass jars like this and colorful leaves litter the ground outside, so the preparation ahead of time is limited!
This Thanksgiving (as on every other day), we are truly grateful for you. Our creative readers, thrifty shoppers and generous donors are the heart of Goodwill, so we wish you all the very best heading into the holiday season. We hope these simple ideas are just what you need to one-up every Thanksgiving celebration that has come before, be it that of 2015 or 1950.
Lukas’s inspiring journey with Goodwill Industries of NW Ohio’s Reentry Program exemplifies the organization’s commitment to empowering individuals facing barriers to employment. Transitioning from the Volunteers of America (VOA) facility, Lukas sought assistance in securing a job, acquiring appropriate work attire, and addressing transportation needs. Goodwill responded to these needs with a comprehensive approach, providing Lukas not only with clothing and job placement support but also with essential bus passes to facilitate his commute. This holistic support system has set Lukas on a promising path toward success, and Goodwill is thrilled to witness the heights he will achieve. His story is a testament to the profound impact of community engagement and the critical role Goodwill plays as a trusted resource for individuals seeking to rebuild their lives.
Nyomi participated in our Youth and Young Adult program and utilized Good Rides transportation for a successful internship this summer. Nyomi said, “Goodwill has allowed me to engage in professional development experiences and internship opportunities I would not be able to attend otherwise while I save for a vehicle of my own. Everyone from the management to the drivers are extremely kind and accommodating, and I’m so grateful for the services Goodwill provides!”
Lela came to Goodwill as a participant through Goodwill’s Ohio Link Reentry Program. Lela was looking for assistance with employment and several barriers. Goodwill helped Lela get the needed resources to find perfect job and now Lela is working full-time. Goodwill is extremely proud of your accomplishment. Congratulations Lela!
On April 8, 2024 I was able to spend some time at the ODOT Wood County rest area, south of Bowling Green, OH. Goodwill provides janitorial services to this site and in preparation for the total solar eclipse event, I made myself available to assist the crew.
A couple of months ahead of this event, ODOT requested that we prepare ourselves with additional staff and supplies. We complied and it went off without any issues.
The caravan of “eclipse seekers” started to arrive around 11:00 am with a non-stop flow of traffic. As the time got closer to the eclipse, the parking lot was packed, travelers set up chairs on the grass areas, parked in the truckers’ lots, etc. There was a powerful feeling that something big was about to happen.
With all the extra traffic, we as crew members, had to carry out our duties with the facilities, making sure the restrooms were cleaned, paper products stocked, etc. The crew kept commenting how busy the place was and they had never seen something like this before.
Managing the women’s restrooms was a challenge, especially when the line started forming inside and around the outside of the building. The travelers were patient and understood we were there to make sure things ran as smoothly as possible. At one point, we decided to close off part of the men’s restroom and re-routed the women to use one side as overflow and everyone was so grateful!
Once the time for the eclipse approached and everyone was jogging for a place to view the event, we had a break to get all the stalls serviced and paper products refilled; it was a rush like we had never seen before.
When the eclipse started, everyone got in place and marveled at what they were experiencing. Once totality took place, there was a thunderous, simultaneous applause throughout the rest area. Once the brightness of the sun came back, the same joyful sound took place. Everyone knew they were experiencing something special and a once in a lifetime event.
The crew and I were outside watching as people were packing up, getting ready to head home and we all commented of what we had just seen and experienced. It was amazing!
One dad and his two young daughters traveled from Sault St. Marie, Ontario, Canada to witness the eclipse. He approached us and said to his little ones “Go ahead, tell them.” The two girls looked at us and with shy faces said “Thank you for everything” and smiled as they handed each of us a pin with their city logo displayed. It was a precious moment that made us realize the reason why we were there and that made us all proud of the service we had provided.
-Written by Alan Olin, Custodial Contracts Account Manager; Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio, Inc.
Travelers stop at the I75 Rest Area near Bowling Green, OH to watch the Eclipse
Are you searching for a job opportunity where you can make a real difference? Look no further! Goodwill is excited to announce the opening of our new Perrysburg location this summer, and we want YOU to be a part of our dedicated team. Join us in building something incredible from the ground up. Even if you can’t make it to our open interviews, we encourage you to email your resume to tkralovicgoodwillnwohio.org. Explore the job descriptions and submit your application online at https:bit.ly3g4Jtd0. Take the first step towards a rewarding career with Goodwill today!
