Lincoln Goodwill Announces Ninth Annual Neighborhood Challenge Winners
by Alana Sesow
Lincoln Goodwill celebrated the 2021 garage sale season by hosting their biggest Neighborhood Challenge yet. With 17 participating associations, Goodwill collected a total of 32,656 pounds of donations!
Every year, Goodwill’s Neighborhood Challenge gives Lincoln associations the opportunity to donate their gently used items after garage sales or clean up events. The top three associations win a cash prize to help fund a neighborhood project of their choice.
The Highlands Neighborhood Association took first place this year, donating 4,569 pounds of gently used items after their annual garage sales. HNA President Myrna Coleman said the Association will use the prize money to improve their neighborhood park. They are currently deciding among a variety of projects, including installing benches and planting trees.
Win or lose, Coleman said that the Highlands’ residents are always thankful to have the Goodwill truck in the neighborhood after their garage sales.
“What I like is that people in the Highlands neighborhood are able to donate in a central location,” Coleman said. “It’s a good thing for both the Highlands and Goodwill.”
Southwood and Witherbee placed second and third, respectively. Other participating neighborhoods included Briarhurst West, Bicentennial Estates, Wellington Greens, Forest Lake Estates, Stone Bridge Creek, Eastridge, North Hills, College View, Williamsburg, Wilderness Hills, Vintage Heights, Tierra, Near South and ECCO.
Thanks to the generosity of all of the Neighborhood Challenge donors, Goodwill can continue to connect local job seekers of all abilities and backgrounds to employment opportunities. The sales from Goodwill’s retail stores help fund free employment services in the community, like Goodwill’s Job Connection Center and other local nonprofits that support their mission.
To host a Goodwill donation drive or learn more about the next Neighborhood Challenge, call 402-742-8456 or email donate@lincolngoodwill.org. Goodwill’s 10th Annual Neighborhood Challenge registration will open in February 2022.
Highlands Neighborhood Association President Myrna Coleman accepts first place Neighborhood Challenge check from Goodwill Donations Acquisition Specialist Alana Sesow. Highlands neighbors donated a total of 4,569 pounds. Southwood Neighborhood Association President Josh Donner accepts second place Neighborhood Challenge check. Southwood neighbors donated a total of 3,387 pounds. Witherbee Neighborhood Association representative Julie Flodman accepts third place Neighborhood Challenge check. Witherbee neighbors donated a total of 3,135 pounds. Goodwill driver Larry Colley sorts donations for the Near South Neighborhood after annual garage sales. Goodwill collected 32,656 pounds of gently used clothing, textiles and home goods during the 2021 Neighborhood Challenge. Goodwill donations keep our planet green while funding local employment services. Goodwill gets ready to collect unsold garage sale items from Near South Neighborhood donors. The Tierra Homeowners Association advertises its annual garage sales and gives neighbors the opportunity to donate their unsold items to Goodwill. Goodwill employees Daniel Loya and Mike Blette load donations onto the truck after Tierra’s annual garage sales.
