Year in Review: Ten of Our Favorite Moments from 2024

December 31, 2024

SecondStory Bookstore Grand Opening

In June, we opened the doors to our first specialty thrift bookstore, SecondStory. Located at 115 Haywood Road in Greenville, SecondStory's shelves hold the power to awaken your imagination while giving thousands of career seekers in our community the hope and empowerment to imagine a better future for themselves. SecondStory has something for every reader and reading level, and you know each purchase supports Goodwill's career training programs.

Resource and Opportunity Center Open House

In September, we formally opened our first Resource and Opportunity Center (ROC) in Columbia. "The ROC" is the centralized hub for our career pathways model, where Goodwill delivers free resources, personalized guidance, and training programs in high-demand industries. Goodwill career advisors connect people's passions to a sustainable, rewarding career.

Sustainable Fashion Line at ColaFW Met Gala

In December, Columbia Fashion Week announced a new partnership with Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina. This partnership focuses on sustainable fashion and how thrift can be both trendy and eco-friendly. At ColaFW's 4th Annual Met Gala, a sustainable men's fashion line was featured, using clothing items entirely thrifted from Goodwill.

First Film Academy Class

In July, we partnered with Urban League of the Upstate (ULUS) to launch a new certification program within our Innovation Insitute. The Film Academy equips learners with the skills and knowledge needed to break into and thrive in the competitive world of television and film. We celebrated the first class of graduates with a ceremonial MOU-signing at Pronk Studios in Greenville.

Gaffney Store and Sulphur Springs Clearance Center Grand Openings

2024 was a year of renewal in many ways, including the relocation and renovation of two of our Upstate stores. In April, we moved into a newer, bigger space in Gaffney, providing an improved shopping experience for that community. In December, we relocated our Upstate Clearance Center from Haywood Road to our Sulphur Springs property, offering nearly 11,000 square feet of treasure hunting fun.

Auten's Loft Boutique Grand Opening in Greenville

In May, we opened our third Auten's Loft boutique, the first in the Upstate. Located within our Woodruff Road location in Greenville, Auten's Loft offers name-brand clothing, shoes and accessories at bargain prices, all within a refined, chic space. Shoppers have embraced the boutique-style thrift experience that Auten's Loft offers. The other two locations are within our Chapin store and our Lexington store (4708 Sunset Blvd).

NxLevel Business Accelerator Program

In September, Goodwill and Benedict College Women's Business Center teamed up to offer the NxLevel Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program. This 10-week program equips aspiring entrepreneurs and new business owners with the skills needed to succeed. Participants learned how to develop a business plan, explore funding opportunities, enhance leadership skills and connect with a network of like-minded individuals.

Auten Society Luncheon for Goodwill Staff and Board

Most people outside of our Goodwill have never heard of the "Auten Society," but - for us - it embodies exactly who we've strived to be for the past 51+ years in the Upstate and Midlands. The Auten Society recognizes our associates who've worked at Goodwill for at least 20 years, and board members who've served for at least ten. In October, we hosted an inaugural luncheon to honor our teammates who've been the backbone of our organization and help us lift up thousands of job seekers and families in South Caroline each year. Their commitment to Goodwill is also a commitment to you.

Millwood Donation Center Grand Opening

Donations are the lifeblood of our organization and the real starting point for our mission. Donations allow us to offer thrift value in our stores, divert 40+ million pounds of goods from landfills each year, and invest more than 90% of those earnings into life-changing career services and support for FREE to our neighbors. In May, we opened a new Donation Center along Millwood Avenue in Columbia and thank the surrounding community for participating in helping us lift up so many through the power of work.

Relaunch of Goodwill's Quarterly Newsletter

In May, we relaunched the organization's quarterly e-newsletter, an electronic resource to keep up with Goodwill in the Upstate and Midlands. We cover the latest in Goodwill thrift, capture the power of donations, meet real people who've elevated their futures through Goodwill, and dumpster dive into how Goodwill promotes environmentally friendly living. Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter and stay in-the-know on how we're spreading "goodwill to all."