Contest winner Cindi Moore and family.

Cindi Moore found herself overwhelmed by the amount of stuff she, her husband and three kids had accumulated in just three years. The Moores moved into their house in Old Hickory in 2008 and, up until recently, they also worked out of their home.

“In August, we moved our home business out to a retail location, and we were in the process of trying to convert our home back into a home,” said Moore. “We had three rooms that were just a mess.”

Just one month after the big move, Moore entered our Project Organize contest. Moore and about 100 others sent in pictures of their three messiest rooms, and told us in 200 words or less why they needed help getting organized. The winner would get one free organizing session with Tanna Clark, owner of Complete Organizing Solutions, one five hour house cleaning from Angel Maids, a $500 gift card to The Container Store and a $100 gift card to Goodwill.

Moore got the call in October. “I about hit the floor when they told me I had won. I was ecstatic.”

The process started in January, when Clark came out for a brainstorming visit. “I loved working with Cindi because she was very crafty, and she had great ideas,” said Clark. During Clark’s second visit, they started the purging process. Moore loaded up three big boxes full of stuff and took it to Goodwill.

In March came the fun part – the shopping. Moore had $500 to spend at The Container Store. To help her get organized, Clark helped her pick out the right purchases. That included several containers to store the stuff they decided to keep. Then it was off to Goodwill to spend that $100 gift card. “We found some great things at Goodwill, including several baskets,” said Moore. And those baskets and containers are now being put to good use in their newly organized home.

After the Moores got organized, Angel Maids came out to the house for a five hour cleaning. “They got us sparkling just in time for Easter.”

Without Project Organize, Moore says the family would still be living in an unorganized home. “Because of the time and cost, it would’ve taken us three to four years to get organized.” Three to four years turned into three to four months, thanks to a little assistance and some new and gently used purchases.

Project Organize 2012

Professional organizer Tanna Clark

Do you have a clutter problem? You could be the next Project Organize winner. Our next contest will take place in September. Look for more information on our website this summer.

In the meantime, Clark has some advice:

• Whether it’s from a professional organizer or a friend, get help. It takes so much more time to do it yourself, and when someone is helping, we tend to make it a priority.
• Also, if you are faced with an entire room or house full of clutter, stop focusing on the big picture and mentally separate your house into manageable goals.
• Don’t buy a single organizing product until you have sorted and weeded out what doesn’t belong.

Remember: when you are boxing up the items you no longer want, be sure and donate them to Goodwill!

When we first sat down with LaDonis Churchwell, we didn’t know whether or not he’d be a strong interview. All we knew was that his success with Goodwill was inspirational. Upon review of the footage, however, it was obvious that LaDonis was not comfortable on camera in a formal interview setting. It was nearly impossible to find usable soundbites from the raw footage.

This was a problem, but the solution was already obvious. If LaDonis wasn’t comfortable in a formal interview setting, then we would put him in an environment he was comfortable in: his work environment in our Mt. View store.

You can see from the video below that LaDonis had no problem opening up and talking about his work day with us when we visited him at work. Not only does it make for better video, it also shows everyone how a day’s work can have a positive effect on someone’s life.

Embedded in Goodwill’s history and culture is the belief that any resource is not to be wasted. Whether an old shirt or sunlight, we are committed to making the most of any resource available. In addition, and equally important to us, is being good trustees of the earth, and we demonstrate that stewardship daily in our donated goods efforts to make use of clothing and household goods that might otherwise be destined for a landfill. Our employees and clients interrupt that path to the dump by selling donated things in our stores and by recycling what won’t sell.

Energy is also a resource we want to maximize. Being cautious with how we use the earth’s energy resources makes sense for today and for future generations. This line of thought, and Goodwill’s culture, led us to explore and adopt the current generation of solar electrical energy as a component of our work.

In late 2011, with the assistance of a grant from the Tennessee Solar Institute, we installed a 60 kilowatt solar generating system on the roof of our Berry Road store and the salvage operation within the complex. The contractor for this installation was Energy Source Partners in Nashville. The electricity being generated offsets more than one third of our electricity purchased for that building.

We will see lower power bills through our participation in the Tennessee Valley Authority and Nashville Electric Service Generation Partners Program.  Goodwill receives a payment and a premium for each kilowatt hour of electricity generated.

Our foray into solar power took another step in early February, 2012, when we signed an agreement to install 200 kilowatt systems on the roofs at 1015 Herman Street, which is our corporate building, as well as on the 1000 Herman Street building, which houses several departments, onlinegoodwill.com, and several processing groups. These systems were installed in late March and are now in operation. The solar panels at 1015 Herman Street will generate 46 percent of the electricity used by the building.  Across the street, at 1000 Herman Street, that number is far greater at 78 percent. The electricity generated and the premium we are paid for that electricity will offset the cost of the systems within 10 years, generating several hundred thousand dollars of future savings over the minimum expected 25-year lives of the systems. Our partner for these systems is LightWave Solar, Inc., also a Nashville company and a leader in solar installations.

It is prudent to take advantage of the pollution-free, abundant and cost effective power of the sun. At the very least, we save the use of fossil fuels, avoid the questions of nuclear power generation and are in the forefront of this growing industry. Goodwill’s board of directors has shown good stewardship of Goodwill’s resources and the world’s resources by their forward thinking decisions to utilize solar generation as part of our overall energy usage.

We look forward to sharing how our small steps into solar power are making a difference on our bottom line.

“They saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself,” she said. “Goodwill stands behind its mission. It has allowed me to rebuild my life.”

Learn more about Sabrina:

If you’re feeling the stranglehold of too much ‘stuff’ and unsure what to keep,  there’s an easy way to lose the excess baggage.  Lorie Marrero, creator of The Clutter Diet, suggests prioritizing when you decide it’s time to clear the clutter and give yourself breathing room.  It’s as simple as A, B, C, D!

A items – Used frequently, even daily
B items – Used often, weekly or monthly
C items – Used rarely or seasonally
D items – Never or seldom used – time to donate!

(Not sure where to start? Goodwill is in need of your gently-used clothes, shoes and books.)

Dieting is always easier with a support group.  Our community relations manager, Natisha Moultry, has some tips for organizing a neighborhood donation drive:

• Select a date and time for your drive. Most neighborhoods coordinate the donation drive with their community-wide yard sale or cleanup.
• Inform all residents that Goodwill will be in your neighborhood. Even residents that are not participating in the yard sale may have items they want to donate.
• Find a central location for the Goodwill truck that is convenient to everyone in the neighborhood. The pool or clubhouse areas normally make great spots for the donation drive
• Post information about the donation drive on your neighborhood’s website or send out an email blast through your home owners association.
• Inform residents that all donations to Goodwill are 100% tax deductible and an attendant will be on duty to issue donation receipts.

Get a start on spring cleaning and give someone the gift of job services!  For more information about starting a neighborhood donation drive, e-mail Natisha or call (615) 742-4151.

Damian McGowan, Goodwill’s trusted Surveillance Technician, is responsible for the installation and maintenance of every single surveillance camera at all 30 retail locations, 18 Career Solutions Centers, our storage facilities and our corporate headquarters. He monitors activity on the cameras to ensure everyone is able to evacuate an exit safely in the case of an emergency. He makes sure that cashiers count out change to our customers. Damian basically makes sure we are all safe and honest. He is a crime fighter.

At first glance, Damian’s current job as a surveillance tech would not prove newsworthy. But when I introduce one key, unpredictable element, the story becomes interesting. It is a story of redemption, conquering obstacles, personal setbacks and overcoming a negative stigma.

You see, Damian has a past. He was a drug dealer. Damian preyed on the addictions and shortcomings of people. As a drug dealer, Damian was a criminal. When he left jail, he came to Goodwill, knowing that finding work could prove nearly impossible for an ex-offender.

Damian’s story, in a television news environment, is considered gold.

Without the criminal element, the story lacks intrigue. But with that element, the story thrives, it becomes interesting, and most importantly it represents what Goodwill is capable of doing for folks who want to work, but struggle doing so.

Damian McGowan isn’t just a story for us to tell. He is a result of what Goodwill does best.

Cam Murray is Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee’s on-staff Video Production Manager. He considers it a privilege to spend time with the clients of Goodwill as they share their stories.

Rhonda Patton, of Rhonda Patton Weddings & Events

I am a huge fan of Goodwill because I am familiar with their mission of providing jobs and training to people with disabilities or others who need help finding a job. I also love all of the great deals you can find at the Goodwill stores.  Not only can you dress your wedding party, but you can also find unique decorative pieces for your home or wedding tablescapes.  I went to the Goodwill store on a treasure hunt for the right pieces to create a vintage inspired look.

I found the perfect vintage-inspired vases for under 10 bucks!  I paired blue and amber antique glass bowls with distressed urns filled with fresh hydrangeas, tulips, amaryllis and succulents. I also found the metallic blue and amber votive holders at Goodwill.

Goodwill is a unique place with unique finds!  So mark your calendars for 6 a.m. Saturday, March 17, and come find your dream dress, engagement party ensemble or jewelry to complete your bridal look at the Rivergate Goodwill.  You’ll also have the opportunity to preview some of my floral and event designs.

Rhonda’s five tips for organizing an event:

• Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! Purchase the main pieces and accessorize the rest!
• Everything does not have to match but it must complement.
• Ensure your theme is cohesive.
• Paint can transform any space, even if it’s just an accent wall.
• Incorporate a wow factor or conversation piece in each space.

Rhonda Patton is an event and floral designer living and working in Nashville, Tenn. To learn more about Rhonda and her services, visit her website at Rhonda Patton Weddings & Events.

Thanks to Matchless Transportation for providing the vintage 1959 Bentley and Street Tuxedo for providing men’s attire for the photo shoot!

Hi Lisa! What is INVEST, and what is your role responsible for?

I am in charge of raising funds that the Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) uses to pay for financial voids at the school. The money is used for continuing education and seminars for the teachers, expensive supplies and technology for the science, engineering and math departments, supplies and materials for other classes including subscriptions to The Wall Street Journal and The Economist, tutors, ACT and SAT prep classes, etc. The istyled.me event is part of the INVEST campaign and we are hoping to raise at least $3,000.

How did you decide on a fashion show?

Raising money is not easy and can be a real chore. I thought a fashion show would be a fun way to raise money and to allow students to be creative and show off their unique styles.

Why partner with Goodwill?

Looking good and owning your style is very important to high school students, but not everyone can afford to shop at J. Crew or Abercrombie and Fitch. I’ve been shopping at Goodwill for years and I introduced my daughter to the concept when she was in middle school. Now that she’s in high school, and at a school that does not mandate standard school attire (SSA), she revels in the opportunity to showcase her own style. As part of that, she shuns most popular stores because of the cost and her fear that she will go to school wearing an outfit that someone else has on. Goodwill allows her to create a unique style … and one that doesn’t break the bank. The event is a tribute to my daughter and the fun we have together and to Goodwill, an organization we support and one that in turn, creates many necessary jobs in Middle Tennessee.

When I shop at Goodwill, especially on the First Saturday of the month, I see students from all types of schools – public and private and from many of the local colleges. I know the great deals you can get at Goodwill and so do they.

Interested in participating in the iStyled.me challenge? Here’s how it works:

“Everyone has the same goals—to feel important and appreciated.”

It was a slow and gradual transition from light to darkness for Penelope. Over the course of many years, retinitis pigmentosa robbed her of her eyesight. Without her sight, Penelope had to move on from her career as a medical technician working with cardiac patients to a job where she could regain her independence. She found just that at Goodwill, where she is a member of the hanging team.

Watch and learn more about Penelope: