Category Archives: GLAM! Squad Volunteer

The Goodwill GLAM! Squad

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Meet Ken Leung, Director of Retail Sales at Goodwill Industries of Hawaii. He’s been at Goodwill  since August, 2002, and worked as a store manager and has held various positions within the organization leading up to his current title –  Director of Retail Sales.

When he’s not at work he enjoys Karate, traveling with his family and spending time with his dog.

Here is Ken’s article:

Last year, Goodwill Industries of Hawaii held the inaugural public awareness event titled Bank of Hawaii presents Goodwill Goes GLAM! The event was a success and much of that success was due to the volunteers.  Volunteers clocked in more than 3000 hours in support of the event-week. To learn more about the successful results of Bank of Hawaii presents Goodwill Goes GLAM! click here.

You never know where volunteering will lead you. Take for instance Olotania Alalamua.  He’s a student at Honolulu Community College and is part of the Fashion Technology program.  He started with us as a volunteer production worker because he had an eye for identifying brand named and vintage items to support the inventory goals for the GLAM! event.  Because of his good attitute and hard work, his time as a Goodwill GLAM! Squad volunteer has transitioned into a job. He is a part-time worker at Goodwill and he is learning about the production process before items reach the retail stores.

Olotania Alalamua – from Goodwill GLAM! Squad volunteer to Goodwill employee

Here are a few facts about the Goodwill GLAM! Squad and information about how you could join the squad of volunteers: The Goodwill GLAM! Squad provides opportunities for volunteers to showcase their talent while supporting a good cause.

Goodwill GLAM! Squad members modeling at the Discover Kakaako fashion show: Keala Patterson, Uthpala Walpola and Rebecca Lin

Also…

Are You A Fan Of Goodwill, Food, Fun and Fashion? if so, consider volunteering at our next event:

Click here to register to volunteer at a future event.

The Goodwill GLAM! Squad shares information about Goodwill’s mission and community impact and also provides event support for the Discover Kakaako activities. 

 

A Year of Great Windows at Goodwill

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Rene Rodriguez editing his Steampunk Fall looks in November, 2012

Creativity, a passion for design, thinking outside of the box… all essential components in visual merchandising.  Over the past year, Goodwill Industries of Hawaii’s Kaimuki store has been displaying visual treasures that can compete with the likes of Neimans and Nordstroms.  In fact, many items adorning the store mannequins are brands you’d find at those stores.

Goodwill GLAM! Squad member and visual merchandising mentor Rene Rodriguez has been leading the way in helping to create unforgettable ensembles throughout 2012.  Rene (assisted by  recent Interior Design graduate Kristina Ballina, and HCC Fashion student Olotania Alalamua) created unforgettable outfits. Many passers-by have shared with the staff that the window displays lured them into the Goodwill store.

Rene attended GIA (Gemological Institute of America) where he majored in Diamonds. He then pursued a career in the beauty industry as a make-up artist for Jon Mozo. Dubbed the eyebrow guru, Rene services both local and international clients and he’s worked for Dior and Chanel.  He was credited for co-producing the best fashion show Hawaii has ever seen  in 2010 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure (Honolulu Advertiser, Paula Rath, 2010). He’s  worked on blockbuster films such as Pirates of the Caribbean 4, Battleship and the Oscar nominated movie the Descendants.  Still doing what he loves to do, you can find Rene in Honolulu at Sanctuary Salon and view his work at http://www.runwayelite.com/.

Fall Halloween windows

Fall Steampunk windows

Winter Holiday windows

The Visual Merchandising project was an important part of Goodwill Goes GLAM! – the four-day public awarenesss event that took place at the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall in August, 2012.  From October, 2011 to July, 2012, the items in the windows were set aside and sold at the Goodwill Goes GLAM! event.

Spring Prom windows

Summer windows:                                                                                                                               University of Hawaii at Manoa Apparel Product Merchandising & Design program – 2012 graduate designs.  Designer Anna Tomita (top left) pictured next to her design.  Looks were featured in a fashion show at Goodwill Goes GLAM!

Even after Goodwill Goes GLAM!, the Kaimuki windows continue to surprise customers with unpredictible, glamorous and imaginative ensembles on the male and female mannequins.  Proceeds from items sold support Goodwill’s 501(c)(3) non-profit mission - to help people with employment barriers to reach their full potential and become self-sufficient.  To see how your end-of-the-year donations can change a life go to http://www.higoodwill.org/gift/.

Be sure to stop by and see Rene’s creations as he continues to mentor students of fashion and Goodwill GLAM! Squad members who wish to get hands-on visual merchandising experience from an industry expert.

Get Dressed to kill at Goodwill

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What am I going to go as this Halloween? Have no fear, the Goodwill GLAM! Squad is here!! This past Saturday, at six Goodwill stores on the island of Oahu, the talented Goodwill GLAM! squad of volunteers provided shoppers with FREE one-on-one Halloween costume styling!  The managers and staff at the Kaimuki, Beretania, Pearl, Kapolei, Wahiawa and Waipahu Goodwill stores helped to make this a fun and unique Halloween experience for shoppers all at affordable prices. 

Many participated in the style sessions including a little girl who just loves the colors red and black, a college student who asked me to style him as Honey Boo-Boo, a cute couple who wanted to be a Zombie and Shaun of the Dead, a young at heart school teacher who wanted to dress up for her students and a high school student who wanted to go as PSY from the hit song Gandnam Style.

When you shop at and donate your items to Goodwill (including your gently used Halloween costume) you’re supporting Goodwill’s non-profit mission – to help people with employment barriers to reach their full potential and become self-sufficient.

KITV4 morning anchor Jill Kuramoto and Goodwill GLAM! Squad members Keala Patterson and Catelin Aiwohi feature fun and affordable Halloween costumes from Goodwill:

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Visit the Goodwill GLAM! & Ghouls gallery to view more fun pics.

Glam Spotlight – Spring Into Goodwill

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Pink 100% genuine leather coat, authentic red Coach bag, red Charlotte Russe heels

Pink 100% genuine leather coat, authentic red Coach bag, red Charlotte Russe heels

Spring is a great time to add color to your wardrobe.  Yes, your black and brown “go-to” looks can be placed in the back of your closet.  A pop of color is HUGE this spring.  Check out the pink leather coat, smart pair of red heels and the authentic Coach bag pictured above.  These items will be available at the much-anticipated Goodwill Goes GLAM! event in August, presented by Bank of Hawaii.

But before you venture out to your nearest Goodwill store to thrift for treasures, consider doing a little spring cleaning.  The simple act of cleaning out your closets and storage spaces this spring could mean more than just a tidier home.  If you donate your gently used clothing and reusable household items to Goodwill, you’re helping to give people without jobs a Fresh Start.  Your donations directly support programs that further Goodwill’s mission - helping people with employment barriers to reach their full potential and become self-sufficient.

Our friends over at the Goodwill/Easter Seals in Minnesota came up with the following fantastic tips for spring cleaning:

Top 10 reasons to incorporate donating to Goodwill into your spring cleaning routine

  1. Your closet is packed, but you can’t find a thing to wear.
  2. You can’t close the closet door.
  3. Cobwebs connect glassware on display shelves.
  4. What’s inside boxes is a total mystery.
  5. There’s no room for the “smart car,” or any vehicle, in the three-car garage.
  6. Your book or DVD collection is bursting.
  7. The guest bed is buried beneath piles of who knows what?
  8. Dusty small appliances engulf the kitchen counter.
  9. You consistently move cartons to get to the washer.
  10. Donating to Goodwill is a great cause that makes a difference in your neighborhood.

If numbers 1 through 9 describe you, you have more stuff than space.

You can reclaim your space one step at a time in one room at a time. Start with the easiest space or a closet. Invite friends and family over for a spring cleaning party and feed them pizza for helping.

SHOULD I KEEP IT OR DONATE IT?

Tips for deciding what to keep and what to give away

The hardest part of spring cleaning and organizing is deciding which items to donate and which to keep. We are often emotionally attached to gifts, collections or special purchases. But when our stuff surpasses our space or collects dust it complicates cleaning and adds stress. Here are a few things to consider when deciding what to keep and what to release. It’s time to let it go if:

  • You didn’t wear it last season. You probably won’t wear it this year either.
  • It isn’t the correct size. Each season, go through your children’s drawers and closets.
  • Nobody in the family has used it in six months.
  • You rarely use it and it uses valuable storage space.
  • Your collection clutters a room or the house. Limit the number of items in the collection. When you buy an addition, remove another.
  • You’re sentimental and keep everything. Consider purchasing one plastic bin for items you don’t use but can’t give away. Store them and next year when it’s time for spring cleaning, go through the box. You’ll be surprised how much less attached you are to some items.

Reduce clutter, reclaim your rooms and reduce waste by donating to Goodwill.

The Goodwill Hunter thanks our friends at Goodwill/Easter Seals in Minnesota.  If you have any spring cleaning tips you’d like to share with our readers, we welcome you to comment below.

Goodwill and Good Works

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Lori Lau - Assistant Director of Workforce Development at Goodwill Industries of Hawaii

Lori Lau – Assistant Director of Workforce Development at Goodwill Industries of Hawaii

Meet Lori Lau, Goodwill’s Assistant Director of Workforce Development which includes overseeing the statewide SEE Hawaii Work and VITA program.  Lori joined Goodwill in 2005, prior to Goodwill, she worked as an Outreach Counselor for at-risk youth with the YMCA.  Here’s Lori’s blog article:

If you’re like me, you took advantage of the past few rainy weeks to catch up on your favorite TV shows and put some serious miles on the couch.  “Wait, she said what?!!”  Well, I’m ready to come out of hibernation and get back out there.It’s easy and fun, yes FUN, to get involved.  Be A Volunteer!  Okay, tell the truth, when was the last time you got really excited about volunteering?  Well, if you love Great Deals, Social Media, Style, Fashion, Photography, Hair and Make-up—and we know you do!—I know just the place for you!

Goodwill’s “Call for Talent” is seeking professionals and new talent to volunteer in a wide variety of roles in the upcoming Goodwill Goes GLAM! Talent Showcase & Treasure Marketplace.

Proceeds will benefit Goodwill’s ongoing mission and services.  Goodwill’s mission is helping people with employment barriers to reach their full potential ans become self-sufficient.

There is also a call out to individuals that have experience with Stage Production and Retail Operations for the 3-and-a-half-day extravaganza, so get your friends to volunteer too.

Call for Talent preps volunteers for the Goodwill Goes GLAM! event in August: Dayna Kalakau, Sarah Tenney (VP of Marketing, Communications & Development), Moses Gouviea, Olotania Alalamua, Craig Kojima and his daughter. Paula Rath, Shawn Torres Akiyama and Luana Alapa interview volunteer prospects.

Goodwill’s Call for Talent preps volunteers for the Goodwill Goes GLAM! event in August: Dayna Kalakau, Sarah Tenney (VP of Marketing, Communications & Development), Moses Gouveia, Olotania Alalamua, Craig Kojima and his daughter. Paula Rath, Shawn Torres Akiyama and Luana Alapa interview volunteer prospects

Volunteering is a great way to support any organization—if you’ve been following this blog you’d know Goodwill’s a great one—and gives back to our community.  Volunteering makes us feel good about ourselves and strengthens the connections we have with each other. A total of 250 volunteers are needed throughout the Goodwill Goes GLAM! event.  The title sponsor of the event is Bank of Hawaii.  They have a great reputation for giving back to the community, not only through event sponsorships but through their employee volunteer programs.  I encourage you to be a part of Goodwill Goes GLAM! in August,  so make sure you sign-up (click here) to do your good work today!

I’ll see you there, and don’t worry, The Voice will be over by then!

Goodwill supporters gear-up for Goodwill Goes GLAM!

Goodwill supporters gear-up for Goodwill Goes GLAM!