American Red Cross and Goodwill Industries to Join Forces at The Galleria August 27

JOHNSTOWN, PA, August 15, 2013 — This summer the American Red Cross has called on the community to provide blood donations that are potentially lifesaving for patients. The need is still constant and the demand has not lessened with the passing weeks. Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies is asking the community for donations of a different kind that support services for people with barriers to employment.

On August 27, the Red Cross and Goodwill Industries will partner to host a blood drive at The Galleria (Johnstown), lower level from Noon–6:00 P.M. to collect donations of blood and gently used items. Donors can easily drop off their items at the Goodwill truck parked at the entrance nearest the blood drive in the lower level C parking lot between the Sears and Bon Ton entrances.

“We are excited about our newly formed partnership with the Red Cross,” commented President & CEO Phyllis Bandstra. “We foresee many opportunities to align our causes to serve the people in our region.”

Goodwill Industries, which owns and operates 10 Goodwill Retail Stores and Donation Centers and 15 donation centers/sites in a six-county region, serves the community through donations of gently used clothing and goods. While the Goodwill name is best known for its stores, the lesser-known but very critical role that the agency plays is to provide job training and support services to individuals with barriers. The greatest financial support for these in-demand services comes from the sale of donated goods. In 2012, Goodwill Industries provided services to 32,573 individuals.

This event gives donors an opportunity to support local communities simultaneously through two nonprofit organizations — the American Red Cross where ‘The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood^™” and through Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies where “Your Donations Are Just The Beginning^™.”

How to donate blood

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Goodwill Industries of the Conemaugh Valley (GICV), Inc. is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1962 to empower individuals and families with employment barriers to achieve their fullest potential in the community through work services. Headquartered in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, GICV serves individuals with disabilities and disadvantages, dislocated workers, youth, and other job seekers throughout south central Pennsylvania in the counties of Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Huntingdon, Indiana, Somerset and a portion of Westmoreland by providing education and career services as well as job placement and postemployment supports. GICV is a community-based member organization of Goodwill Industries International, a 179-member network in the U.S., Canada, and 13 other countries. Learn more at www.gicv.org.