Giving with Dignity — The Good Samaritan Donation Program

For over two decades, Goodwill Gulf Coast’s Good Samaritan Donation Program has quietly made a meaningful impact in our community by connecting donations directly to people in need.

Since 2002, this program has supported local nonprofits, churches, schools, and social service agencies—organizations like Fostering Together Gulf Coast, Catholic Social Services, and McKemie Place—by providing Goodwill gift certificates for their clients. These gift certificates allow individuals and families to shop for clothing at any Goodwill Gulf Coast retail store with dignity and choice.

The program is powered by donors. When someone donates items at a Goodwill location, they can fill out a yellow Donation Referral Card and name the organization they want to support. Each month, Goodwill tracks the donated value for each organization and issues gift certificates based on these donations. Organizations are free to distribute the gift certificates to the people that they serve who are in need. It's a simple act that turns a donation into direct support for individuals in our community.

“At Sybil Smith Family Village (SSFV), we are so appreciative to be a participant of the Good Samaritan Program. Because of community members' generous donations of various household goods and clothing in our name, our women and children at SSFV are able to utilize the Good Samaritan vouchers. This not only allows them to get much needed clothes and necessities, it also helps build their confidence because of the ability to independently shop and provide for their household. Thank you for the opportunity to partner with Goodwill Gulf Coast to help restore the families we serve at SSFV!"
Sarah Watson Laurio,
Director - Sybil Smith Family Village

This partnership model gives community groups a practical way to meet real needs—and gives recipients the respect they deserve. To sign your organization up or to learn more, contact Randy Henry, Community Resource Coordinator, at (251) 300-6094 or RHenry@goodwillgc.org.