Staff reports  | October 16 was a special day for Palmetto Goodwill as it celebrated 40 years of service to coastal South Carolina. When the organization opened its doors in 1979 with six employees and a $90,000 budget, few envisioned the impact it would have four decades later through training, employment and community services to more than 400,000 people.  During the span, Palmetto Goodwill placed 19,157 into new jobs., according to a press release.

“I want to thank every person who has ever donated to Palmetto Goodwill, supported our events, shopped in our stores, partnered with us or volunteered their time,” Palmetto Goodwill President and CEO Robert Smith said.  “The Goodwill model only works with a supportive and engaged community and we are lucky to have had that these past 40 years.”

Donations and revenues have grown through the years allowing to provide an annual impact of over 41,000 services to more than 15,000 individuals.  It also assists placing more than 3,000 people into new jobs. The organization’s unsold donations received each year also result in over 16 million pounds of waste and e-waste being diverted from area landfills.