History
In 1902, a Methodist minister, Reverend Edgar J. Helms, pioneered an organization in Boston's South End that gave people hope, dignity, and independence. Fifty three years later a small group of concerned Hagerstown businessmen saw the need for their community to join Rev. Helms' movement, now known as Goodwill Industries, which became the 100th Goodwill franchise in the United States. At that time Hagerstown was the smallest city in America to have such a franchise. The founders were Richard Grumbacher, Max Greenwald, D. E. Stultz, J. H. Bayliss, Harold Porter, and David W. Byron. Harvey Kettering was hired as the first CEO of the new organization. By August 1955, 17 persons were employed and our first store was opened on September 30, 1955. Mr. Kettering was the served in his role of CEO until 1959. During his tenure, stores were opened in Hagerstown, Hancock, Cumberland, Waynesboro, and Martinsburg. These individuals who were instrumental in founding Hagerstown Goodwill Industries
Specialties
Our mission is to assist people who experience barriers to employment. We believe in the power of work to change people's lives. The dignity of making your own way as much as possible and earning a paycheck makes a difference to the people we serve and our communities. We strengthen our communities by providing programs and services designed to give individuals the training, skills, and experience they need to find and keep a job. Unlike most non-profits, Goodwill is a social enterprise using a business model to fund our mission. The revenue earned through this model helps pay for vocational programs for people who come to us for these services. We operate through three divisions: Donated Goods, Mission Services, and Business Service, which combine in a dynamic cycle. Community members donate gently used items they no longer want or need. These items are processed for sale and then sold in our retail stores which provides paid job training to our program participants.