Volunteer or Host a Donation Drive
Give Your Time. Grow the Good.
Bring your energy, your organization, or your entire community together to create more education, employment, and opportunity across our tristate region.
Volunteer with Evansville Goodwill or organize a donation drive that turns gently used items into local programs and brighter futures.
A Thanksgiving Tradition With Purpose
Run Together. Create Opportunity.
The Turkey Day 5K is not just a race. It is an opportunity to come together, celebrate our community, and support programs that change lives throughout the tristate.
By participating, you are fueling education, career growth, and brighter futures right here in our community.
Proceeds benefit The Excel Center® Evansville Southeast, the GoodSkills Academy, and employment services that connect individuals with disabilities and barriers to employment with meaningful career opportunities.
Every Mile Supports a Mission.
Select a program below to learn more about the local education, training, and employment services supported by the Turkey Day 5K.
Free Adult High School Diplomas
Proceeds help support The Excel Center® Evansville Southeast, where adults can earn their high school diplomas for free.
Explore The Excel Center 02 SkillsFree Digital Skills Training
The GoodSkills Academy helps community members build practical technology skills for work and everyday life.
Explore GoodSkills Academy 03 EmploymentMeaningful Career Opportunities
Employment services connect individuals facing disabilities and other barriers with training, guidance, support, and work.
Explore Employment ServicesJoin friends, families, and neighbors in the collective power of giving thanks, encouraging one another, and creating local impact.
Volunteer With Goodwill
Put Your Time Where It Matters.
Volunteers help us extend our reach, strengthen our events, and create more meaningful connections throughout the community.
Opportunities may vary according to current needs, location, availability, and the size of your group. Tell us about your interests, schedule, and skills so our team can help identify the right fit.
Individual Volunteering
Share your time, experience, or professional skills with a mission-focused team.
Group Service Projects
Bring coworkers, classmates, civic groups, or community organizations together.
Events and Special Initiatives
Help support special events, community outreach, and time-sensitive projects.
Host a Donation Drive
Gather Goods. Create Opportunity.
A donation drive is an easy way to unite employees, students, customers, neighbors, or organization members around a practical community project. Your collected goods support local Goodwill programs while helping keep reusable items out of the waste stream.
Pick Your Drive
Select your organization, location, collection period, and the types of items you plan to gather.
Make a Simple Plan
Connect with our team to discuss timing, accepted items, and available collection or transportation options.
Rally Your People
Promote your drive, invite participation, and gather clean, gently used goods in your designated collection area.
Keep Good Moving
Coordinate the final donation with Goodwill and celebrate the impact your group created together.
Bring People Together
Any Group Can Start Something Good.
Donation drives can be adapted for a workplace, school, faith community, neighborhood, association, or special event. The most effective drives have a clear goal, a defined collection period, and an enthusiastic team helping spread the word.
Businesses and Employers
Engage employees, customers, vendors, or professional networks in a meaningful community initiative.
Schools and Student Groups
Create a hands-on service project for classrooms, clubs, athletics, families, or campus organizations.
Nonprofits and Civic Groups
Unite members around a practical project that supports local education and workforce programs.
Faith and Community Groups
Invite congregations, neighborhoods, families, and community partners to participate together.
Plan a Successful Collection
Collect Items People Can Reuse.
Focus your drive on clean, gently used items that can be safely handled and offered through Goodwill stores. Review the current donation guidelines before promoting your collection so participants know exactly what to bring.
Clothing and Accessories
Clean clothing, shoes, handbags, belts, and similar wearable items.
Household Goods
Useful décor, kitchen items, linens, small furnishings, and everyday household items.
Books, Toys, and Media
Gently used books, games, toys, and other appropriate entertainment items.
Approved Electronics
Review current electronics and recycling guidance before including technology in your drive.
Start the Conversation
Ready to Put Good Into Motion?
Tell us how you would like to get involved. Our team can help you explore volunteer opportunities or begin planning a donation drive for your organization.
Questions Before You Start?
Volunteer and Drive FAQs.
Availability and logistics may vary, but these answers can help your group begin planning.
What volunteer opportunities are available?
Opportunities depend on current organizational needs, timing, location, volunteer age, group size, and required supervision. Contact our team with your interests and availability so we can discuss potential options.
Can businesses, schools, or community groups volunteer together?
Group opportunities may be available depending on the size of the group and current needs. Provide your preferred date, estimated group size, and the type of project you are interested in.
How far in advance should we plan a donation drive?
Contacting Goodwill early gives your organization more time to confirm donation guidelines, collection logistics, promotion, and final delivery arrangements.
Does Goodwill provide collection containers or pickup?
Available support depends on the size, timing, location, and needs of the drive. Contact our team before advertising your event so the collection and transportation plan can be confirmed.
What items should our donation drive collect?
Clean, gently used clothing and reusable household goods are often practical choices. Review the current donation information before finalizing your list because accepted and restricted items may change.