On May 22nd, Goodwill Industries will be participating in the first annual fundraising holiday OmahaGives! During this 24-hour online-giving event, Goodwill has the chance to win matching funds and prize money for each donation we receive.

For OmahaGives! we’re asking you to open your hearts and help bring hope to our participants by making a gift to Goodwill Industries.

Goodwill is facing some challenging times. Even though we are a successful non-profit thanks to our retail stores, much of our operational strength comes from government funding. This support has gradually decreased over the last several years. In order for us to continue our mission-based programs, we must find other funding opportunities. Your financial contribution can make all the difference in our continued ability to change lives and strengthen communities through education, training and work.

Donating is easy. Simply visit our OmahaGives! page between midnight and midnight on May 22!

Check out the video below to catch Omaha’s “giving” spirit.

Omaha Gives! – a 24-hour charitable challenge on May 22nd. from Omaha Community Foundation on Vimeo.

The Associated Press has a story out today on “wearable robots,” also known as “electronic legs” or “powered exoskeletons,” which allow people with restricted use of their limbs — whether that’s from an injury, stroke, disease or other disability — to gain mobility and increased independence of movement.

Still at least a year away from the market, the 27-pound Indego is the lightest of the powered exoskeletons. It snaps together from pieces that fit into a backpack. The goal is for the user to be able to carry it on a wheelchair, put it together, strap it on and walk independently. None of the products, including the Indego, are yet approved by federal regulators for personal use, meaning they must be used under the supervision of a physical therapist.

While the devices, in their current incarnations, don’t allow their users to move as quickly as a wheelchair or come equipped with fall-prevention technology, they have come a long way in recent years and do offer significant benefits.

Still, [Arun] Jayaraman [of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago] said, the devices might help prevent pressure sores from sitting too long in a wheelchair, improve heart health, develop muscle strength, lift depression and ultimately bring down medical costs by keeping healthier patients out of the hospital.

Read more at ABCNews.go.com.

All this week, we’ll be showing you how you can upcycle old t-shirts into a variety of things like bags and scarves.

Today’s project is the headband! (or bracelet, if you want to make it smaller)

(more…)

All this week, we’ll be showing you how you can upcycle old t-shirts into a variety of things like bags and scarves.

Today’s project is the loop scarf!

(more…)

Goodwill is excited to announce the release of a brand new store-locator app for your mobile phone!

Available in both the Apple iTunes store or the Google Play store, the free app will allow users to find their nearest Goodwill location throughout the United States and Canada.

So no matter where you are or where you go, you’ll always be able to find quality merchandise at low prices while supporting Goodwill’s mission!

• Download from the Apple iTunes store (for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices)
• Download from the Google Play store

(for Android devices)