Monday, January 11, 2010

Goodwill Article

We visited the fabulous, new Goodwill store in Silverdale on Sunday, and donated 2 Hefty bags full of our clothes. The store was light, bright, clean, and it felt like we were on a treasure hunt. We browsed all through the store, and I bought a covered casserole in my grandmother's (antique) English bone china pattern; it has a couple of tiny chips on the rim, but the lid covers them. The people who worked there were very courteous. Goodwill is a wonderful organization.

A couple of years ago, shortly after Katie passed away, I wrote this posting about a bequest that she made. After we learned that she was going to die, she wrote her will, by hand, leaving half of her savings account to charity. The charity she chose was Goodwill. They printed a story about it in their newsletter at the time.

In case you missed the posting, you might want to travel back in time and read it; if you don't want to do that, I am posting a scan of the newsletter article here. If you want to enlarge it for reading, simply click on the image:

(If you know me, you know that I don't use the term "lost her battle with cancer." In fact, I don't consider it a battle, and I don't think she lost. However, I know that the people at Goodwill meant only great kindness and appreciation, and I didn't correct their wording.)

What a girl she was. I love her so much!

15 comments:

pysanki.blogspot.com said...

They did a good job. It speaks volumes on the sweetnes and generosity your children and what a good job that you and Greg have done in raising them. Thanks for sharing the copy here.

Renee said...

What a girl she was and what a great spirit she is.

I never knew that before Karen, thank you for telling me.

What a girl she was.

Love Renee xoxo

Laurie Brandriet Keller said...

Such a nice piece about your Girl. I love you. xoxo.

Cassandra said...

This is always one of my favorite stories about your daughter--her leaving half of her money to Goodwill. I rememeber reading this story in your blog quite some time ago, but it is just one of those stories I always want to hear again and again. THanks for sharing.

Karen said...

Good article. That is amazing! Why Goodwill? What called her to do that? So very uniquely Katie. She obviously left her own good will as a legacy to the world.What a generous girl you have.

I also love the Goodwill and find them clean and organized, as you mentioned. I like to buy shorts there! I don't like wearing shorts, so if they don't fit right, I don't feel badly about throwing them away. I'm always happy when I see families in there, buying clothing and household items, because I see the Goodwill serving its purpose. Katie's gift enabled that, too.

Gberger said...

Karen, I think she left her money to Goodwill because we used to donate our clothing, etc. to them. There is a donation station on Bainbridge Is., and we would often make a "drop off" there, so she and David were familiar with what they do.

She and David also volunteered at the public library when they were young, and she absolutely LOVED that "job." It was a joy to see how proud she was, each time she went there to help.

Mary said...

What a coincidence...I read this post while in the middle of clearing out the boys' drawers of unneeded items. I was just contemplating whether to wait for one of our charities to call us (they call every other month to see if we have anything and then pick it up) or to take it over to Goodwill, since I have a lot this time. I've rarely donated to Goodwill, only because the other group does all the work for me, and they benefit people with disabilities. But in Katie's honor I think I will go to Goodwill this time!

And how awesome you found a matching piece to your Grandmother's china there!

Busy Bee Suz said...

I remember this...I also remember the feeling of: "this is one special girl"
We love goodwill as well...I have a running 'pile' for donation ALL the time. My girls love shopping there too.
congrats on your china find!

Renee said...

You are my gift today. Thank you dear friend.

xoxo

Elizabeth said...

I'll only say that this doesn't surprise. What a young woman!

Unknown said...

We can learn so much from children.
And your daughter leaves me breathless, in her beauty , and her attitude.
And I would say it seems like she was very loved by kind and amazing people too.
I read the story at Hopeful Parents, and was deeply moved.
While it is certainly not the same to lose a friend, as it is a child, your thoughts on the grief process spoke to me as I still miss this person very much.

A.Smith said...

I am with you, there is no losing a battle that you didn't need to fight or want to. I dislike that expression profoundly. She was attacked and there was nothing anyone could do to defend her. That is not a battle, that is an assault.

Changing subject, I want to thank you for your kind remarks about my work. I tried to find a private address to send you this but I failed. I would like to ask you that if you ever have a fund raiser for the endowment I would be happy to create and donate a one of a kind piece for you to auction or to sell or whatever you want to do with it.

Just let me know and I will be more than happy to contribute.
Again, thank you for your kindness, it is much appreciated.

Daisy said...

Karen, I am just shaking my head in wonder at that kid. Wow.

Mich

Renee said...

Sweet friend did I tell you that Good Will is the organization I give to here. That and Salvation Army and the Mennonite groups as they do a lot of good.

Your beautiful girl. You must just want to stare at her gorgeous face all day long.

xoxo

Renee said...

Thank God for you.

xoxo