Good Goodwill!
Who doesn’t love this logo? This one-eyed cutie has been welcoming me to its doors for the last twenty-five years. I love Goodwill. For a million reasons: a stack of books for a dollar; an unlimited supply of black dresses, trench coats, chipped Mason’s stoneware, clocks, belts, evening gloves, old Levi’s, hats, games, baskets….AND, lately, still-tagged last season’s Target wares and even Free People seasonal goodies. If you’re reading this, you undoubtedly already know the infinite choices, the rare scores and the ever-changing possiblities that characterize the Goodwill.
Back to the logo. I’ve always thought the background was a little green. Goodwill remains the original recycle and re-use outpost. As peoples’ sentiments about buying used clothing and necessities ebb and flow between the shores of ‘hip, vintage and retro-chic finds’ and ‘thrifting is for down-and-out losers’, what is a constant is Goodwill’s mission. Of its 5 stated values, the Goodwill’s Stewardship pledge promises to “honor our heritage by being socially, financially, and environmentally responsible.” The other 4 are equally noteworthy: Respect, Ethics, Innovation and Learning. Sounds like good green business practices to me. But let’s remember, Goodwill never claimed to be one. hmmmm.