Goodwill NCW’s annual gala inspires community

WISCONSIN – Achievements of a different kind were celebrated at Lambeau Field on October 2, as Goodwill North Central Wisconsin (Goodwill NCW) shared inspirational stories at their second annual Goodwill Starts with You! Gala. More than 650 community leaders from across the region supported the event and heard stories of those whose lives are being transformed through Goodwill NCW’s mission of Elevating People by Eliminating Barriers to Employment, including the following award winners: 

• Edgar J. Helms Achiever of the Year: Angel Miller, Shift Leader, Stevens Point Goodwill store
   
  About the Achiever of the Year Award: Goodwill NCW’s Achiever of the Year is a person who has shown great progress and accomplishment in overcoming challenges to finding employment, and who still benefits from the Goodwill work environment or receives services to support employment at a community site. 
• Edgar J. Helms Graduate of the Year: Ben Funke, General Mechanic, ThedaCare Regional Medical Center – Appleton 
  
  About the Graduate of the Year Award: The Goodwill NCW’s Graduate of the Year award recognizes an outstanding person with a disability or disadvantaging condition who completed a Goodwill NCW career services program and is competitively employed by a non-Goodwill employer. 
• Edgar J. Helms Veteran of the Year: Norm Parrotte, Forklift Operator, Goodwill Outlet store, Appleton 
  
  About the Veteran of the Year Award: Goodwill NCW’s Veteran of the Year honors a military veteran and Goodwill team member who has shown great progress and accomplishment in overcoming challenges to employment. 

As the Edgar J. Helms Achiever of the Year, Angel bravely shared her story of overcoming active addiction with the audience. 

In her twenties, Angel was prescribed painkillers and became addicted to opioids. Her life began to spiral. After her second prison stay, Angel entered a treatment program to turn her life around. 

During her recovery, she started working part-time at the Plover Goodwill store as a cashier with a program through the Department of Corrections. Angel’s leaders recognized her potential and encouraged her to continue to grow. Today, she helps lead the team at the Stevens Point Goodwill store as a Shift Leader.  

“At Goodwill, your background doesn’t mean as much as your potential,” Angel said. 

Thanks to a second chance and a steady income, Angel is rebuilding her life, including finding a new apartment and reliable transportation. 

All three of our award winners exemplify the mission of Goodwill NCW. With support from Goodwill NCW’s employment services, they have overcome significant challenges and worked through barriers to secure and sustain employment. Each of their stories are truly inspiring and we are proud to honor their successes. 

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Goodwill North Central Wisconsin (Goodwill NCW) is a tax-exempt organization with a mission of Elevating People by Eliminating Barriers to Employment. Support from donors and shoppers provide pathways for people who are underserved, underrepresented or disadvantaged who have a goal of building job skills that lead to sustained employment and improved financial stability. Goodwill NCW advances its impact through mission programs, mission-integrated operations and community partnerships across north central Wisconsin. Learn more at goodwillncw.org