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’re fueling a second chance at a high school diploma.
Proceeds from the Turkey Day 5K directly support The Excel Center® Evansville Southeast, Evansville Goodwill’s tuition-free high school for adults. Your participation helps provide the education and support students need to overcome barriers, earn their diploma, and build a brighter future.
More Than a Diploma.
The Excel Center® Evansville Southeast is tuition-free, but helping students reach graduation takes more than a classroom. Proceeds from the Turkey Day 5K help provide wraparound services designed to remove barriers and give adult students the support they need to succeed.
Helping Parents Stay in School
Free, on-site childcare gives student parents a safe place for their children while they attend class, helping make earning a diploma possible for the whole family.
02 Transportation AssistanceHelping Students Get to Class
Transportation Assistance helps remove one of the most common barriers to education through bus tokens or gas cards, so getting to school doesn’t have to stand between a student and their diploma.
03 Life Coach SupportSomeone in their Corner
Every student is supported by a Life Coach who helps them navigate challenges, stay on track toward graduation, and connect with resources when barriers arise.
04 Academic & Career SupportPreparing for What Comes Next
Students receive individualized academic support and guidance to help them earn their diploma and prepare for college, earn an industry-recognized certifications, and their next career opportunity.
Join 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 & Community Service
Volunteer at a local Evansville Goodwill store, support our programs, or complete eligible community service hours while giving back to your community.
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?
Volunteer opportunities may include helping in our retail stores, supporting programs and special events, assisting with community outreach, or participating in group service projects. We also offer opportunities for individuals completing eligible community service hours and internships within our corporate office for those looking to gain hands-on professional experience.
Opportunities vary based on current needs, location, age, group size, and availability. Tell us how you’d like to get involved, and our team will help find the right fit.
Can businesses, schools, or community groups volunteer together?
Yes! We welcome businesses, schools, civic organizations, and other community groups interested in volunteering together. Opportunities vary based on group size, location, timing, and current needs.
Tell us about your group, preferred date, and interests, and our team will work with you to identify a meaningful way to get involved.
How far in advance should we plan a donation drive?
We recommend reaching out at least 1 month in advance whenever possible but the more time, the better. This gives our team time to work with you on donation guidelines, collection logistics, promotional support, and pickup or delivery arrangements.
Have something coming up sooner? Reach out anyway! We’ll do our best to accommodate your drive based on current availability.
Does Goodwill provide collection containers or pickup?
Yes! Evansville Goodwill can provide collection containers for your donation drive and coordinate pickup once your drive is complete.
For larger drives or special events, we may also be able to coordinate a Stuff the Truck event. Our team will work with you to determine the best option based on your needs, location, and availability.
What items should our donation drive collect?
For most donation drives, we recommend focusing on gently used clothing, shoes, accessories, and smaller household items that are easy to collect and transport.
Our team can help you create a recommended donation list for your drive. Be sure to review our current donation guidelines before getting started, as some items cannot be accepted.