Although we have decided not to continue our plans to open a retail store in the Peachtree Crossings Shopping Center, there are a few things I would like to share about our organization.

Goodwill of North Georgia is just one of more than 170 North American affiliates of Goodwill Industries International. Our territory covers 45 counties in North Georgia.

At more than 80 years old, our Goodwill is one of the most recognized non-profits in the region. During that time we have served thousands of individuals, many of whom have disabilities or have just had trouble finding employment. In fiscal year 2007, that number reached an all-time high of 16,509. With our help, more than 3,500 of those individuals were able to land jobs paying a decent wage

Our training programs and employment services allow Goodwill of North Georgia to help individuals experience dignity through the power of work. These services are currently being offered at seven locations across our territory.

The Goodwill retail program helps to fund this effort. Every year we sell goods in our stores generously donated by more than one million individuals.

Growing our retail program enables us to continue to provide services to the growing number of individuals who need them; therefore, it is imperative that we are ever looking at ways to expand our retail program.

Also, we know that our customers and donors visit their neighborhood Goodwills; that is, they shop and give at sites within a 10-to-15 minute drive from their own homes. That said, we work hard to ensure our locations are convenient.

Goodwill of North Georgia can boast being the fastest growing Goodwill retail operation on the continent. This isn’t by happenstance. Our staff spends hours researching and selecting locations for our stores. We take pride in offering a shopping experience that is unlike most others.

Sure, we sell used goods, but each and every item is hand-sorted and inspected before it ever makes it to our sales floor. Not every donated item makes the cut.

Our stores are bright, orderly and run by some the most qualified retail managers around. No less than 2 million people shop Goodwill of North Georgia stores each year.

Our average shopper is a woman between the ages of 25 and 54 who lives in a middle income household. Additionally, Goodwill stores attract many people who just simply enjoy shopping for a bargain, but don’t necessarily need to purchase discount items. In fact, two of our most successful stores happen to be in Roswell and Sandy Springs.

Still, successful Goodwill stores and donation centers hinge on the support and generosity of the surrounding community.

Because many citizens of Peachtree City expressed disapproval and an unwillingness to support a Goodwill retail facility, we will not pursue plans to open a store in the Peachtree Crossings Shopping Center.

To the residents of Peachtree City, I do understand your concern for your community and commend you for your willingness to voice those concerns. I’d also like to thank all of you for taking the time to either email or call and engage in a dialogue with me or my staff.

For those of you who have never visited a Goodwill of North Georgia store, I do encourage you to stop by one of our 23 locations. You can find a complete list on our website at www.ging.org or by calling 404-420-9900. I do hope that you will be pleasantly surprised when you enter the doors.

Raymond W. Bishop, President

Goodwill of North Georgia

Atlanta, Ga.

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