It Smells Like Goodwill

Today at work, I had the opportunity to volunteer a couple of hours helping set up for an annual event called the Career Clothing Closet. This wonderful program is coordinated by our Service Learning Department and allows students to get free professional outfits.

I spent two hours in a large room with about 10-15 other volunteers; the group was transporting all of the donated clothing, shoes, and accessories to the room where the event will be held tomorrow and Friday. Fifteen people and two hours later, we still had donations in bags that needed to be sorted and put on hangers. We had more clothing than we could actually accommodate on the racks available, so we had to start filling tables with folded sweaters and such.

As we were working, someone commented, "It smells like Goodwill in here." What I walked away with was a sense of the tremendous generosity of our community - there were countless items donated to help students and community members. For me, I would amend the comment of my fellow volunteer by saying, "It felt like good will in there."