Goodwill Omaha ‘Round-It-Up’ Campaign Will Help Ukrainian Families and Refugees

Goodwill Omaha ‘Round-It-Up’ Campaign Will Help Ukrainian Families and Refugees

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine wages on, it has caused the greatest humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War II. Thousands of lives have been lost, Ukrainian livelihoods have been disrupted and destroyed, and millions of people are seeking refuge in Poland and other countries. Goodwill Omaha is answering a call from another Goodwill affiliate to help those impacted by the war in Ukraine.

Goodwill Industries — Big Bend, Inc., of Florida has asked Goodwill affiliates across the nation to consider making monetary donations to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to help provide relief to the people of Ukraine. Goodwill Omaha has joined this effort with a round-it-up campaign.

“Round It Up for Ukraine” will run throughout the month of May, and shoppers at all Goodwill Omaha retail stores can round their purchases up to the next dollar — or higher — and Goodwill Omaha will donate all of the rounded-up money to IRC’s emergency relief efforts in Ukraine.

“Goodwill has the best customers — they’re so generous,” said Shantel Featherson, director of retail operations at Goodwill Omaha. “Our customers come through every time we raise money to help others, and I have no doubt they’ll show their generosity again. We’ve all experienced difficult times, but most of us can’t understand what it’s like to have to live in a war zone, to leave your home, your job, sometimes your family … Goodwill stands in solidarity with Ukraine, and we want to help the Ukrainian people.”

Featherson added that Goodwill Omaha’s monthlong round-it-up campaigns typically generate $5,000 or more for the causes they support.

“We have application and selection processes for round-it-up campaigns, and we typically run three or four a year,” said Tobi Mathouser, president and CEO at Goodwill Omaha. “When I listen to or watch the news, I am deeply saddened by the effects the war in Ukraine is having on the Ukrainian people, and I think most people feel similarly. This is a small thing Goodwill Omaha can facilitate as a way to help.”

Goodwill Omaha’s “Round It Up for Ukraine” campaign begins when Goodwill stores open on May 1 and ends on May 31. For more information, please visit GoodwillOmaha.org/ukraine.