Celebrating a Century of Impact
A Night Powered by Purpose—and You
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating 100 years of Goodwill of North Georgia at our 100th Anniversary Gala. Because of your generosity and support, we raised $590,990 directly advancing our mission of putting people to work and strengthening our communities.
The funds raised through this milestone celebration will help expand access to career services, job training programs, and support systems that empower thousands of individuals across North Georgia to achieve economic mobility and long term success.
We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and guests for being part of this historic moment. Your commitment ensures that Goodwill’s impact will continue for the next 100 years, and beyond.
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Thank You for Celebrating 100 Years of Goodwill!
Presented By
100th Anniversary Gala Co-Chairs
Alicen Blair
taShi Shiimi-ya-Shiimi
100 Years of Impact Award Recipient: Mayor Andre Dickens
Mayor Andre Dickens will be honored as the founder of Goodwill’s Technology Careers Program and member of the Goodwill of North Georgia Board of Directors. With an average starting wage of $19.49/hour, graduates of the Technology Careers program have earned over $66M in wages over the last six years. In just a few weeks participants earn certifications in database administration, web development, SCRUM, and cybersecurity.
100 Years of Impact Award Recipient: Wendy Stewart
Bank of America will be honored as an important partner creating income equality in our region. Wendy Stewart, president of Global Commercial Banking at Bank of America, and leads her team to ‘being the change we want to see’ in the communities we serve.
As an employment partner, Bank of America has provided meaningful careers to the jobseekers we serve. Bank of America is also changing lives by providing financial literacy and credit building workshops at our 14 Career Centers.
With Bank of America’s support, over 80,000 families have moved out of poverty over the last five years.
100 Years of Impact Award Recipient: Josh Carter (on behalf of the Carter Family and The Carter Center)
The Carter Family will be acknowledged for their continued support of Goodwill’s mission. In 1971, Governor Jimmy Carter participated in the grand opening of Goodwill of North Georgia’s first career center.
Since 1986, the Carter Center has contracted with Goodwill to deliver high-quality facility, janitorial, and grounds maintenance services. Goodwill employees, many of whom have documented mental and physical disabilities, have built long careers earning a living wage caring for the Carter Center.
100 Years of Impact Award Recipient: Ricky Smith
Ricky Smith is the General Manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest airport. He leads a multi-billion-dollar modernization program while overseeing daily operations that serve more than 108 million passengers annually.
Over the past 10 years alone, Goodwill has placed over 2300 jobseekers in and around the airport with an average wage of $14/hour. Moving 2,300 individuals from unemployed and underemployed brings a total economic impact of $67,600,000 annually to our community. For every $1.00 in new wages, $0.62 is added to Georgia’s economy through increased consumer spending. Using the 0.62 multiplier, the indirect economic impact is $41,970,032 in additional local economic activity.
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsors
Valet Sponsors
Graduate Sponsor
Advocate Sponsors
Table Sponsors
Countless lives changed
Over the last 100 years, our mission has not changed. We challenge ourselves to help jobseekers find a first job, a better job, and a career. Since 1925, Goodwill of North Georgia has impacted more than 751,000 jobseekers in our community. We didn’t do it alone. As we celebrate a century of service, we honor 100 supporters who made this possible.
Known as the “Goodwill 100“, these changemakers have helped transform lives and rewrite stories for those who need us most. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to our community. Learn how the “Goodwill 100” are shaping our community and how your contribution can amplify their impact.
Learn More About the "Goodwill 100"
