Hundreds of inspiring success stories are written every year by the people who find meaningful employment and hope for a better future through Goodwill. Many of them have pulled themselves out of desperate situations, thanks to a hand-up from Goodwill’s job training and placement services.
Every year Goodwill Industries of North Florida honors several of these individuals at their annual Striving to Succeed Luncheon attended by some 600 members of the community. One of the highlights of the luncheon is the introduction of the honorees and the presentation of a short video telling their stories.
This year’s event, hosted on Nov. 5 at the Morocco Shrine Center, included a buffet luncheon, remarks from emcee Nikki Kimbleton of WJXT/TV4, and a celebrity fashion show. The 2015 Achievers of the year honored at the luncheon included Liz Armstrong, Kathleen McParland and Chester Swan. Featured celebrities included Tracy “Dot Com” Collons, Karen Mathis, Beth Sullivin, Melanie Minor, Daniel Austin, Heather Crawford, Nikos Westmoreland, Tarik Minor, Mark Pittman, Tennika Hughes and Lindsay Boetsch. For more information about Goodwill’s ongoing efforts, visit goodwilljax.org.
