Goodwill
Donation Days
Happening September 13–15 and 20–22
Goodwill Donation Days 2024
As summer transitions into fall, it's the perfect time to refresh your space and clear out the clutter. Goodwill Northern Michigan is here to help! We're hosting a special donation drive across all 9 store locations on September 13-15 and 20-22.
Join us for a chance to declutter and enjoy fun, deals, discounts, and exciting giveaways!
Donation Days Schedule
Here’s the full schedule of Donation Days for each Goodwill Northern Michigan store:
September 13–15
Alpena Goodwill: After dropping off your donation, stick around for a burger! Fat Freddie’s food truck will be serving up burgers, fries, and drinks on Friday, September 13, from 11 AM to 1 PM — and the first 10 visitors eat free! Plus, WATZ Live radio remote with Jack O’Malley will be on-site, and you can grab some awesome SWAG.
Charlevoix and Petoskey Goodwill: Swing by the donation door and grab a snack or refreshment while you're there!
Cheboygan Goodwill: Stop by the donation door and pick up a goodie bag! And guess what? Three lucky bags have gift certificates inside, and one of them could be yours!
September 20–22
Acme Goodwill: Drop off your donations and grab a taco! Sabores Y Colores food truck will be serving tacos on Friday, September 20 from 3 pm to 7 pm, and all day Saturday, September 21. Plus, the first 10 visitors each day get a free meal!
Cadillac: Grab a brat on your way out after dropping off donations! Betty's Little Brats will be set up in the Cadillac store parking lot Friday and Sunday, September 20 and 22, starting at 11 am.
Grayling and Traverse City Goodwill: Swing by the donation door and grab a snack or refreshment while you're there!
Gaylord Goodwill: Drop off your donations and stay for a bite! Wiggle Waggle Wieners food truck will be rolling in on Saturday, September 21 from 11 am to 1 pm, serving up delicious hot dogs, chips, and drinks – free to the first 50 visitors!
Donate and Receive a 10% off Coupon During Donation Days
Donation Days
$100 Shopping Spree Giveaway
Goodwill is giving away a $100 shopping spree at each store location — 9 winners total. Double your chances by entering both online and at your nearest Goodwill Northern Michigan store.
How It Works:
Fill out the form below by September 23, 2024.
During October 2024, we will use a randomizer tool to select one email from each store location — 9 winners total. The selected person will be contacted via email or phone and will have 3 days to respond. If we don’t receive a response, the randomizer tool will select another winner.
Gift certificates will be sent to the winners by mail. Winners can use the certificates at multiple locations, either spending a little at a time or all at once, until they reach the $100 limit.
If you’re the type that likes to read the fine print, check out our Official Goodwill Northern Michigan Contest Rules.
Decluttering Provides 7 Health Benefits
Decluttering benefits your physical and mental health — here’s how:
Better Focus: Princeton research shows that organized spaces reduce distractions and help you stay on task and boost productivity.
Improve Your Sleep: American Academy of Sleep Medicine research shows that clutter keeps you up at night. Create a calm environment for restful nights.
Uplift Your Mood: Declutter to feel happier says UCLA. Too much stuff can lead to stress and low spirits. Clearing space can improve your mood and confidence.
Remove Trauma Triggers: Say goodbye to emotional baggage. Holding onto old items can weigh you down. Letting go frees you to move forward.
Focus on Goals: While some items can serve as reminders, clear clutter to achieve more. Keep what motivates you and let go of what holds you back. Streamline your space for success.
Reduce Allergens: Knick knacks, stacks of magazines, and overstuffed closets are traps for dust, pet hair, mold and mildew.
Get a Gratitude Boost: There is a direct connection between serving others and happiness. When you donate items to Goodwill you’re helping your community, too! You’re keeping useful products out of landfill, and the funds generated from your donation support Goodwill programs that put food on the tables of your neighbors and help neighbors find home.
Get Goodwill’s Decluttering Guide
Need an easy start? Download our handy Decluttering Tips Sheet for a fridge-ready checklist of small decluttering tasks, what to donate, what not to donate and more. Fill out the form below and we’ll email you our guide to decluttering.
Save Time When You Declutter & Donate
Americans spend 2.5 days each year searching for things … wouldn’t you rather spend that time at the beach!?
Overstuffed closets rumple clothes. Save time ironing!
Easier, faster outfits. When you love everything you see, it all fits and you can see everything you have, putting an outfit together is easy.
When you don’t have to move or dust around a lot of stuff, cleaning is faster.
Putting things away is faster and easier, since there’s room for them.
At Goodwill, our convenient drop-off door makes donating quick and easy. Our team is ready to help you unload and give you a smile and a receipt, so you can be on your way in less than two minutes!
Decluttering the Easy Way — Expert Advice
Use a System — The Four Box System
There are many decluttering systems out there, but The Four Box System seemed easiest to us. Begin by setting up four empty boxes or bins:
Trash
Goodwill Donation
Storage
Put Away
Once a box is full, pause decluttering until you can empty it. This might mean a quick trash disposal or a few days to drop off donations at Goodwill.
Consider adding a fifth box for items needing repair, but be realistic about your ability and time. Anything left for over a year should be discarded to avoid stress.
Make Donating Easy
When your donation box is full, place it in your car right then for easy drop-off during errands. Forgotten boxes merely shift clutter rather than clear it, even ending up in new homes.
Conquer Sentimental Saving
Capture memories digitally by photographing sentimental items, like gifts from someone special or favorite toys the kids have outgrown, you're letting go. Free yourself from guilt, knowing someone else will appreciate and cherish them.
Clean-Sweep Method
Clear a room entirely, leaving only furniture, then selectively reintroduce items. The process helps identify and remove unnoticed clutter occupying space without purpose.
For instance, a family discovered they didn't need a bread box on the counter (they stored bread in the fridge), so they donated it.
Make Decluttering Fun with Friends
Decluttering is more enjoyable with a friend. You can catch up, and they can be a reality check for things you don't wear. Plus, they lack sentimental attachment to your possessions.
Divide Decluttering Tasks and Be Clutter-Free by Summer
Break decluttering into daily tasks using the Goodwill Guide to Decluttering, with its handy Declutter Checklist. Spend 10 - 15 minutes on most tasks, reserving longer ones for weekends. Completing five tasks weekly ensures a clutter-free home by summer.
Tips for Cleaning Out Your Closet
It’s a perfect time to clear your closet and enjoy that decluttered feeling. Plus, when you donate your items, you'll receive a 10% discount coupon off shopping in Goodwill stores. Use your discount to freshen up your wardrobe, add zing to your decor, or get sporting goods to use in the next season.
Here’s a video offering some tips, including a process to discover which items in your closet are taking up space for no reason.
