Submitted by Kate Quinones
Goodwill Industries of Central Florida (GICF) recently recognized hundreds of its employees who reached milestone anniversaries since the beginning of 2020. On July 19, the organization hosted a luncheon at the Wyndham Orlando Resort to thank team members for their dedicated service to Central Florida.
Of the 219 of Goodwill employees honored at the special reception, 156 celebrated five- to nine-year work anniversaries; 53 commemorated 10-19 years; and 10 were acknowledged for 20 or more years of service, including one individual who has a prestigious 45 years with the organization – the longest continuous employment record in GICF history.
“Nothing we achieve at Goodwill would be possible without the dedication, integrity and talent of every member of our team,” said Ed Durkee, President and CEO at Goodwill Industries of Central Florida. “Always, but especially over the past two-and-a-half years, our staff has gone the extra mile to uphold our mission and serve the Central Florida community – and we are extremely grateful for their hard work.”
The luncheon is the latest effort in Goodwill’s ongoing plan to support its employees in achieving their professional and personal goals. Since the start of 2021, the nonprofit raised pay for frontline workers by 40%, introduced its Prosperity Planning long-term relationship coaching program, and began offering all part- and full-time employees 100% pre-paid coverage of tuition and associated costs to dozens of Florida technical schools, colleges and universities.
For more information about Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, visit
About Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, Inc.
For more than 60 years, Goodwill Industries of Central Florida has provided vocational and job placement services to tens of thousands of people living in Central Florida. Through 30 retail/outlet stores and 20 Donation Xpress locations in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake and Volusia counties, Goodwill diverted 18.9 million pounds of clothing and household items from landfills in 2021. Goodwill Industries of Central Florida directly channels more than 90 percent of its annual revenue into programs that enable individuals to secure meaningful employment, achieve their personal goals and thrive economically.
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