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“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself. But each of us can work to change a small portion of events. And in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.”
Robert Kennedy
 As you read this newsletter please reflect on the people and the events that create Goodwill of Greater Washington. And know that you are a part of the “total acts” that are being written for this generation of Goodwill. Your endless support through donations of time, clothing or money, allow us to “change a small portion of the events” that evolve into a successful organization that serve the disabled and the disadvantaged of our community. Thank you for being a part of the history of Goodwill.
Catherine Meloy
President & CEO
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Bill to Clarify ADA Introduced in House
By Lisa Kinard, Goodwill Industries International
Many advocates for people with disabilities have contended that recent court decisions have diluted the original intent of the Americans with Disabities Act (ADA). A group of lawmakers agree and introduced legislation on July 26 that would broaden the definition of disability under the ADA. House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), one of the sponsors of the bill, said the legislation would address what lawmakers feel has been unduly narrow judicial interpretations of the ADA.
The bill would ensure that a person who uses so-called mitigating measures, such as a hearing aid, a prosthetic limb or medication, would be protected under the law. In addition, the bill clarifies that adverse treatment based on the mitigating measure itself or a side effect could constitute discrimination.
Other sponsors of the bill include Rep. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI), and in the Senate Arlene Specter (R-PA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA). According to Senator Harkin, the way the U.S. Supreme Court and some lower courts have interpreted the law “cries out for a modest, reasonable legislative fix.” The timeline for passage of the legislation remains unclear. Bill sponsors believe it will go past the fall and into the second session of the 110th Congress.
Register now for Goodwill Advocacy Day Oct. 23-24, 2007!
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The Fashion of Goodwill is Just Over a Month Away
 The Fashion of Goodwill Virtual Runway Show & Online Auction is almost ready for broadcast. Make sure you mark your calendars and bookmark our website (www.dcgoodwill.org) for September 28th to catch the most unique and affordable fashion show in town!! Our look book goes live on September 12th and you can begin bidding on outfits one week later!!
Deloitte is once again our presenting sponsor for the fashion show, along with support from Sage Communications, Geppetto Catering, and fashion design by Tu Anh!
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Goodwill of Greater Washington Launches New eBay Store!
Check out GGW’s new eBay store at http://stores.ebay.com/DC-Goodwill-Retail-Store
for some of the most unique collectibles, antiques and amazing fashions you’ll ever find at unbelievable prices!! If you like great deals, this is the site for you!
And don’t forget that all your purchases support Goodwill’s job training programs for people with disabilities and disadvantages.
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DC Happenings!
Check out these fun events and places to go in the DC area throughout the month of August!
Rachel Cooper of About.com suggests these locations as the top 15 places to go with kids in the DC area! Can you visit them all?!
1) National Zoo
One of the most kid-friendly places to visit in Washington, DC is the National Zoo where you can see 435 different species of animals. The National Zoo is set within the beautiful Rock Creek National Park and is a part of the Smithsonian Institution. Admission is FREE!
2) National Museum of Natural History
Examine a wide variety of artifacts including an 80-foot dinosaur skeleton, an enormous prehistoric white shark, and a 45-and-a-half carat jewel a known as the Hope Diamond. The Discovery Room is a great hands-on display for young children. Feel the skin of a crocodile, examine the jaws and teeth of different animals or try on clothes from around the globe.
3) National Air & Space Museum
NASM displays the largest collection of air and spacecraft in the world. Visit here and learn about the history, science, and technology of aviation and space flight. There are IMAX films and planetarium shows several times a day. Children marvel at the lifesize exhibits.
4) Discovery Theater
The Smithsonian's Discovery Theater, located in the Ripley Center on the National Mall, is a live theater geared towards children. Classic stories and folktales are told through puppet shows, storytellers, dancers, actors, musicians, and mimes. All shows are Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
5) Bureau of Engraving & Printing
Watch real money being printed! Tours are every 15 minutes, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
6) Washington Monument
Take the elevator to the top of the memorial to George Washington, our nation's first president, and see a wonderful view of Washington DC. Kids love to see the city from a bird’s eye view.
7) Wolf Trap Farm Park
Wolf Trap Foundation and the National Park Service present 70 performances from late June through early August at the Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods in Vienna, Virginia. Family-friendly performances, including music, dance, storytelling, puppetry, and theater are held at 10 am and 11:15 am, Tuesdays through Saturdays.
8) Glen Echo Park
This wonderful park in Bethesda, Maryland offers year-round activities in dance, theater, and the arts for the adults and children. There are concerts, demonstrations, workshops, and festivals. The antique Dentzel carousel delights children May through September. Enjoy a puppet show at the Puppet Co. or a children’s theatrical performance at Adventure Theatre. At Discovery Creek Children's Museum, explore nature, history, and the arts through innovative educational programs and exhibits.
9) Six Flags America
Six Flags America offers a full day of fun just 30 minutes from downtown Washington, DC. This theme park features more than 100 rides, shows and the area's largest water park. The park is open April through October.
10) Imagination Stage
Imagination Stage offers year-round productions of modern and classic plays and classes in drama, acting, dance musical theatre, and filmmaking for children of all ages.
11) Strathmore Hall Arts Center
Music center with special children's events including afternoon teas, art exhibits, chamber music concerts, outdoor concerts and more.
12) Catoctin Wildlife Preserve & Zoo
Up-close exhibits make this 30-acre zoo in Thurmont, Maryland great for small children. Main exhibits include a Golden Tiger, African Lion family, Grizzly Bear, Parrot Aviary, and Venomous Animal exhibit. You can hand-feed goats, sheep, donkeys, and ducks in the petting area
13) Montgomery County’s Nature Centers
Four Nature Centers provide kids with lots of hands-on opportunities to explore our environment. Year-round naturalist guided programs will give you insight into the Capital Region’s natural habitat.
14) Reston Zoo
This thirty-acre zoo in the heart of Fairfax County, VA, is great for small children. Get "up close and personal" with the animals and feed them too! See alligators, camels, reptiles, zebras, antelope, bison, ostrich, and lots more.
15) National Postal Museum
This Smithsonian museum features engaging exhibits about sending, receiving and delivering mail. Explore the history of the postage stamp and marvel over thousands of stamps and postal artifacts.
For more fun events and places around DC, visit http://dc.about.com/
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Goodwill
of Greater Washington would
like to recognize its Employee
of the Month for July.
This award is given to the Goodwill
employee who has demonstrated
his or her ability to provide
the best in customer care and
dedication to the Goodwill mission.
Goodwill
of Greater Washington's Employee
of the month for July 2007:
Alejandro Alfaro - Gaithersburg - Production
Ingrid Menendez - Sterling - Retail
Sponsored in part by McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant and M & S Grill.
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GOODWILL
OF GREATER WASHINGTON'S MISSION
Goodwill
of Greater Washington's mission is to educate,
train, employ and place people with disadvantages
and disabilities, creating a stronger workforce
and a more vital community while building
dignity for the people we serve through the
removal of barriers to personal success.
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