Our History & Team

About Goodwill

Goodwill Industries of the Columbia

Established in 1969, Goodwill Industries of the Columbia operates in a 13-county region of southcentral Washington and northeastern Oregon, with stores in Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, College Place, Wenatchee, Sunnyside, and Hermiston. Goodwill Industries of the Columbia is one of 157 autonomous member agencies of the Goodwill network. Every penny generated by Goodwill Industries of the Columbia goes back into helping people in the 13 counties that we serve. 

historical images of the Goodwill

"Not Charity, but a Chance"

Goodwill was founded in 1902 in Boston by Rev. Edgar J. Helms, a Methodist minister and early social innovator. Helms collected used household goods and clothing in wealthier areas of the city, then trained and hired those who were poor to mend and repair the used goods. The goods were then resold or were given to the people who repaired them. The system worked, and the Goodwill philosophy of “Not Charity, but a Chance” was born.

Now A National Nonprofit Organization

Dr. Helms’ vision set an early course for what today has become a $5.59 billion nonprofit organization. Helms described Goodwill Industries as an “industrial program as well as a social service enterprise…a provider of employment, training and rehabilitation for people of limited employability, and a source of temporary assistance for individuals whose resources were depleted.”

Goodwill services

Community Impact 2022

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Job Placements Through Mission Services

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Pounds of E-Waste Recycled within GWOTC Territories

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People Served Through Mission Services

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Customer Transactions at Goodwill Stores

Edgar Helms
  • “We have courage and are unafraid. With the prayerful cooperation of millions of our bag contributors and of our workers, we will press on till the curse of poverty and exploitation is banished from mankind.”

Meet the Team

Administrative Staff

Jeff Maddison Chief Executive Officer
Heather Peterson Vice President of Mission Services
Yeri Cano Senior Manager of Human Resources
Jennifer Chavez Vice President of Finance
Trevor Janin Vice President of Operations

Officers

John Paetel President
Cameron Stephens Vice President
Chris Bond Secretary
Rudy Mendoz Treasurer
Jeff Maddison Chief Executive Officer

Directors

Celeste Allen
Tom Heidegger
Jim Qualheim
David Welch
Justin Toner
Mary Williams
Irina Galikeeva
Asa LaMusga