Goodwill was founded in Boston by Reverend Edgar J. Helms, a Methodist minister and early social innovator. Helms created the Goodwill philosophy of “a hand up, not a hand out” when he collected used household goods and clothing in wealthier areas of the city, then trained and hired people who were poor to mend and repair the used goods. The goods were then sold or given to the people who repaired them. More than 115 years later, Goodwill remains a household name and leading nonprofit provider of educational and workforce-related services. Although you give to your local Goodwill you are also Free to Buy from any other location!
