FALLS CREEK – Goodwill Industries of North Central PA has a mission of “meeting life challenges through opportunity, education, training and work.”
This mission has been the foundation of Goodwill since its movement began in the early 1900’s. On Jan. 19, Goodwill will celebrate the 152nd birthday of its founder who established its guiding principles, the Rev. Edgar James Helms.
In celebration Goodwill of North Central PA will share the story of its founder. The Goodwill staff encourages community members to visit their Falls Creek facility and to take a tour.
Helms once said, “Work greatly enhances the morale of those who help themselves and others by their labor in our industry. Not charity, but a chance.”
Helms believed in the power of work and opportunity. As a young Methodist minister of an inner city mission in Boston’s south end, he was touched by the plight of immigrants in the community who didn’t have jobs, food, clothing or shelter.
In 1902, Helms took burlap bags and went door-to-door in the wealthiest areas of Boston, asking for donations of unwanted clothing and household goods. This was the infancy of Goodwill.
Even before its name was established in 1915, Goodwill sold the donated goods, and the monies were used to pay employees who helped to repair and to refurbish the donations.
Helms hired people in need and many of whom could not find employment anywhere else. In 1934, he decided Goodwill needed to have a bigger hand in employing people with disabilities.
Under Helms’s guidance, the Goodwill mission spread across the county within a few years.
Helms has continued to impact every community that Goodwill serves because his beliefs are the foundation for its mission. Just like Helms, Goodwill of North Central PA believes in the power of opportunity, education and work.
Tours of Goodwill of North Central PA are offered between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at 131 Preston Way, Falls Creek.