History of Wabash Valley Goodwill Industries, Inc.
In 1927 in the Wabash Valley, a local minister, the Reverend Theodore Grob, Sr., saw the need for a sheltered workshop and low-priced merchandise. From Rev. Helms' model, he founded Goodwill Industries in the parsonage of Calvary Methodist Church (German Methodist) of which he was the minister. He provided the leadership until 1968 when his son, Ted Grob, Jr., took over the management of the agency. William Tennis was named director in 1982 upon Ted, Jr.'s retirement.
Goodwill is the largest private sector employer of people with disabilities or with special needs in the world, yet its primary purpose is to train and place disabled persons in the economic mainstream. Wabash Valley Goodwill is one of the local autonomous member organizations in the United States, Canada, and 23 other countries.
The way in which Wabash Valley Goodwill came to be is explained in the following time-line.
Goodwill is the largest private sector employer of people with disabilities or with special needs in the world, yet its primary purpose is to train and place disabled persons in the economic mainstream. Wabash Valley Goodwill is one of the local autonomous member organizations in the United States, Canada, and 23 other countries.
The way in which Wabash Valley Goodwill came to be is explained in the following time-line.
2016 through present
March 30, 2016
March 30, 2016 - The Wabash Valley Goodwill Industries, Inc. board of directors elected officers today, for the 2016-2017 year. Left to right. Lisa Pepperworth, Vice Chairwoman; Troy Helman, Chairman; Gary Schomer, Secretary; Santhana Naidu, Treasurer; and Bill Tennis, President and Chief Executive Officer.
March 30, 2016 - Green Cleaning, Media spot by WTWO-TV/WAWV-TV: http://www.mywabashvalley.com/news/green-cleaning
July 26, 2016 - The 15th Annual WV Goodwill employee picnice was held at Deming Park. Over 300 people attended.
April 1, 2016 - Donation centers want your spring cleaning items - Media spot with WTHI-TV: http://wthitv.com/2016/04/01/donation-centers-want-your-spring-cleaning-items/
August 2, 2016 - Back-To-School spot on Good Day Live on WTWO-TV: http://www.mywabashvalley.com/gdl/goodwill-back-to-school-shopping
March 30, 2016 - Green Cleaning, Media spot by WTWO-TV/WAWV-TV: http://www.mywabashvalley.com/news/green-cleaning
July 26, 2016 - The 15th Annual WV Goodwill employee picnice was held at Deming Park. Over 300 people attended.
April 1, 2016 - Donation centers want your spring cleaning items - Media spot with WTHI-TV: http://wthitv.com/2016/04/01/donation-centers-want-your-spring-cleaning-items/
August 2, 2016 - Back-To-School spot on Good Day Live on WTWO-TV: http://www.mywabashvalley.com/gdl/goodwill-back-to-school-shopping
August 12, 2016
August 12, 2016 - Getting ready to deliver dictionaries to West Vigo and Consolidated Elementary schools.
The dictionaries are a gift from the Wabash Valley Community Foundation and the Goodwill Industries Tennis Family Dictionary Fund. Rotary club members delivered the dictionaries to area 3rd graders on
8-12-2016 as a club service project. Goodwill President Bill Tennis is loading dictionaries for delivery. (see inserted picture).
June 1, 2016 - Wabash Valley Goodwill Industries, Inc. was awarded a three-year certification
from Goodwill Industries International, Inc.
July 26, 2016 - The 15th Annual Goodwill Employee Picnic. Over 300 people were in attendance.
September 3, 2016 - TH2 opens to full capacity after having the concrete floor polished.
October 2016 - Wabash Valley Goodwill closed on the former Jebb's Gas property, located at 2723 South 6th Street. This will evolve into our new recycling center.
October 14, 2016 - Wabash Valley Goodwill and Halloween! J.T., the Face of myFOX10 stopped by to discuss Halloween with Bill Tennis, President and CEO of WV Goodwill.
http://wthitv.com/2016/10/12/wabash-valley-goodwill-and-halloween/
October 24, 2016 - Julie Hendricks and Hazelmarie Anderson shopped for their Halloween costumes at WV Goodwill and also discussed the importance of our mission: http://www.mywabashvalley.com/gdl/perfect-halloween-costume
The dictionaries are a gift from the Wabash Valley Community Foundation and the Goodwill Industries Tennis Family Dictionary Fund. Rotary club members delivered the dictionaries to area 3rd graders on
8-12-2016 as a club service project. Goodwill President Bill Tennis is loading dictionaries for delivery. (see inserted picture).
June 1, 2016 - Wabash Valley Goodwill Industries, Inc. was awarded a three-year certification
from Goodwill Industries International, Inc.
July 26, 2016 - The 15th Annual Goodwill Employee Picnic. Over 300 people were in attendance.
September 3, 2016 - TH2 opens to full capacity after having the concrete floor polished.
October 2016 - Wabash Valley Goodwill closed on the former Jebb's Gas property, located at 2723 South 6th Street. This will evolve into our new recycling center.
October 14, 2016 - Wabash Valley Goodwill and Halloween! J.T., the Face of myFOX10 stopped by to discuss Halloween with Bill Tennis, President and CEO of WV Goodwill.
http://wthitv.com/2016/10/12/wabash-valley-goodwill-and-halloween/
October 24, 2016 - Julie Hendricks and Hazelmarie Anderson shopped for their Halloween costumes at WV Goodwill and also discussed the importance of our mission: http://www.mywabashvalley.com/gdl/perfect-halloween-costume
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October 28, 2016 - Live @ Five WTHI-TV team partnered with Wabash Valley Goodwill this Halloween to create their one of a kind costumes! http://wthitv.com/2016/10/28/halloween-first-five-ken-and-barbie-winter-edition/
December 12, 2016 - Wabash Valley Goodwill celebrated our 89th annual company Christmas party at the Girl Scout Service Center in Fairbanks Park, Terre Haute, IN. Over 200 employees and job coaches were in attendance. December 18, 2016 - Wabash Valley Goodwill's 12 Days of Christmas spot with Good Day Live on WTWO-TV http://www.mywabashvalley.com/gdl/goodwill-holiday-finds/620802608 December 27, 2016 - WTHI-TV covered WVGoodwill and the impact of year end donations: http://wthitv.com/2016/12/27/this-week-is-a-very-very-busy-week-charitable-contribution-deadline-quickly-approaching/ December 27, 2016 - Where can you take your TVs? WTHI-TV advised the community WVGoodwill is a destination! http://wthitv.com/2016/12/27/need-to-find-a-place-to-recycle-your-old-tv/ |
October 28, 2016
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August 30, 2017
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 August 30, 2017
January 5, 2017 - Dan Davis was promoted to Director of Operations. He was previously the Transportation and Dock Supervisor.
May 10, 2017 - Soft launched new Wabash Valley Goodwill rewards program and app. July 25, 2017 - 16th Annual Goodwill Employee Picnic at Deming Park. Over 300 people were in attendance. August 7, 2017 - Due to staffing, the Brazil, Indiana's store location reduce Monday - Saturday hours to 9AM - 6PM temporarily. August 30, 2017 - Bill Tennis (Goodwill President and CEO) distributes dictionaries to 3rd graders on behalf of the Terre Haute Rotary Club, Wabash Valley Foundation and Goodwill Industries at West Vigo and Consolidated Elementary Schools. |
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September 25 - October 3, 2017 - Brazil, IN store closed for floor re-model.
October 6, 2017 - WVGoodwill raised over $ 500 in partnership with the community for CASY during the 2017 Terre Haute Dancing with the Stars. October 15, 2017 - Wabash Valley Goodwill recycling center temporarily closed due to relocation in the spring of 2018. November 4, 2017 - The 70th Annual Goodwill-Rotary Donation Drive was held. December 6, 2017 - Wabash Valley Goodwill celebrated our 90th anniversary with a reception at the main office location. Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett was present, made a proclamation, and declared December 6, 2017 WABASH VALLEY GOODWILL DAY! Several local media outlets were in attendance to showcase our celebration to the local community. Several WVGoodwill friends and the public joined us in celebration with stories, cake, and hot dogs. Click HERE to view the Mayor's proclamation. Tribune Star article: http://tinyurl.com/y8jdozvm WTWO-TV story: http://tinyurl.com/yb6vm2dz WTHI-TV story: http://tinyurl.com/yd9svqza |
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December 14, 2017 - Wabash Valley Goodwill was showcased in three different installments during the 12 Days of Christmas promotion on Good Day Live, airing on WTWO.
http://www.mywabashvalley.com/gdl/shopping-for-the-holidays-at-goodwill/881174636
http://www.mywabashvalley.com/gdl/donating-to-goodwill/881172547
http://www.mywabashvalley.com/gdl/goodwill-celebrates-90-years/881167626
http://www.mywabashvalley.com/gdl/shopping-for-the-holidays-at-goodwill/881174636
http://www.mywabashvalley.com/gdl/donating-to-goodwill/881172547
http://www.mywabashvalley.com/gdl/goodwill-celebrates-90-years/881167626
February 5, 2018 - Wabash Valley Goodwill took possession of our future Linton, IN store. Located at 1600 A Street, Suite 2 in the Linton Shopping Center.
April 26, 2018 - Grand Opening of the new Linton location, 1600 A Street NE, Linton, IN 47441.
June 1, 2018 - Announcements regarding the Terre Haute/Goodwill Recycle Center and our Robinson, IL store:
http://www.wthitv.com/content/news/Goodwill-recycling-services-484359861.html
http://www.tribstar.com/news/local_news/what-s-ahead-for-recycling-efforts/article_57e1fb96-224d-5e16-bb7b-eaeb1e08a13e.html
http://www.robdailynews.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=16918&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&S=1
http://www.wthitv.com/content/news/Goodwill-recycling-services-484359861.html
http://www.tribstar.com/news/local_news/what-s-ahead-for-recycling-efforts/article_57e1fb96-224d-5e16-bb7b-eaeb1e08a13e.html
http://www.robdailynews.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=16918&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&S=1
June 27, 2018: Wabash Valley Goodwill closed the store located at 111 West Walnut, Robinson, Illinois.
July 17, 2018 - 17th Annual Goodwill Employee Picnic at Deming Park. Over 300 people were in attendance.
August 22, 2018 - President and CEO Bill Tennis was the program at the Brazil Rotary Club meeting.
November 3, 2018 - 72nd annual Rotary - Goodwill drive.
December 10, 2018 - Wabash Valley Goodwill celebrated our 90th annual company Christmas party at the Girl Scout Service Center in Fairbanks Park, Terre Haute, IN. Over 200 employees and job coaches were in attendance.
March 18, 2019 - The Main Store expanded the wares section by thirty-three baker's racks.
March 20, 2019 - The Paris Store expanded the wares section by seventeen baker's racks.
April 12, 2019 - The Brazil Store expanded the wares section by eight baker's racks.
April 30, 2019 - Wabash Valley Goodwill partnered with local artist Becky Hochhalter to create a Coca-Cola bottle inspired by our mission. We will proudly display it at our headquarters office in Terre Haute, Indiana. Thanks, Becky!!
https://www.tribstar.com/news/local_news/free-party-april-will-preview-round-of-coke-bottle-public/article_468b7f3a-a4a6-5ef4-a97a-acc2ec70f383.html?fbclid=IwAR1bcSHInZnvsFj-FG4dpeC0TTrpCiX03h-W5kpAXndgz72pGRyCxRbq-uA
July 16, 2019 - 18th Annual Goodwill Employee Picnic at the American Legion (near 13th and Wabash in Terre Haute). Over nearly 200 people were in attendance. Had to relocate from Deming Park due to bad weather.
December 17, 2020 - Wabash Valley Goodwill celebrated our 91st annual company Christmas party at the Girl Scout Service Center in Fairbanks Park, Terre Haute, IN. Over 200 employees, board members, and job coaches were in attendance.
March 20, 2020 - Wabash Valley Goodwill made the decision to temporarily shudder all 10 donation/retail/work facilities due to the coronavirus pandemic.
May 19, 2020 - Catholic Charities has been a valued partner. Wabash Valley Goodwill presented the agency with a check, to continue the support of feeding our community members. Thank you for your dedication Catholic Charities Terre Haute
May 11, 2020 - Wabash Valley Goodwill started re-opening store and donation locations. 5/11-Main and Wabash. 5/13-Greencastle and Linton. 5/15-Brazil and Sullivan. 5/26-TH2. 6/1-Charleston and Mattoon. Paris - 6/15/2020.
December 2020 - Wabash Valley Goodwill persevered through the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Our team of employees worked hard and carried on. We will go into 2021 with positive outlook.
December 2020 - During the December meeting of the Goodwill board, the board of directors elected Meredith Osburn to become Wabash Valley Goodwill's 4th CEO - June 2021.
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February 2021 - Wabash Valley Goodwill was recognized for partnering with the United States Census 2020 Community Partnership and Engagement Program.
June 23, 2021 - William G. Tennis, President & CEO, retired on his 50th anniversary. June 24, 2021 - Meredith A. Osburn took over as President & CEO of Wabash Valley Goodwill August 9, 2021 - The Paris, Illinois store location at 124 South Main Street was closed. |
