Goodwill Fires, Presses Felony Charges ... For Giving Discounts To Store's Poorest Patrons

[1monster]

Good Will has always had a less than stellar reputation, which is the main reason I don't donate to them and rarely ever visit their local store.

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/goodwill-fires-presses-felony-charges-against-andrew-anderson-19-giving-discounts-stores

When an employee at Goodwill’s store in Naples, Fla., started handing out freelance discounts to the shops poorest customers, Goodwill not only fired the young man, the company called the cops and now has him up on felony theft charges. (snip)

Anderson worked behind the counter at the Naples Goodwill outlet. He would often see the community’s poorest people come into the store, looking to buy clothes but with only a few bucks to their name.

"My heart was in the right place, my head was in the wrong place," Anderson told the TV station. (snip)

When his compassion got the better of his judgments, he would simply cut prices in half, then watch the delight on the faces of underprivileged people and families as they were actually able to afford to buy clothes for themselves and their kids. (snip)

More at link.

Keep in mind that almost all of the merchandise at Good Will is donated at no cost to Good Will, they pay their "charity" case workers at third world rates, and their CEO makes a minimum of $750,000 per year.

Firing the young man in this case is defendable. Pressing charges is not.

[Ptah]

1. Goodwill Drops Theft Charges Against Teen Who Gave Customer Discounts

A Goodwill store in Naples, Fla., reversed course today and decided to drop grand theft charges against a teen employee who had given discounts to poor customers.

The decision came four days after the store had fired Andrew Anderson, 19, and had him arrested for granting discounts that totaled $4,000. As recently as today, the store defended its actions saying the money could have been better used on Goodwill’s other charitable projects.

Goodwill contacted ABC News this afternoon to say that the organization was dropping charges against Anderson.

“After completing our internal investigation we have determined that the individual’s actions were not for personal gain, but rather for the benefit of others,” the statement read.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/09/goodwill-drops-theft-charges-against-teen-who-gave-customer-discounts/

[1monster]

4. Good. My guess is that the negative publicity from this story forced Good Will

to back down, and not any other consideration.

[etherealtruth]

8. Your guess is likely correct

[pintobean]

2. They dropped the charges

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/09/goodwill-drops-theft-charges-against-teen-who-gave-customer-discounts/

It still doesn't do much for their image. They should give the guy his job back.

[Cirque du So-What]

3. I suggest St. Vincent de Paul

as an alternative to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. St. Vincent de Paul is not a money-grubbing org like Goodwill and does not proselytize like the Salvation Army. In addition, workers at St. Vincent de Paul can give clothing and basic necessities to the poorest customers who come through their doors.

[1monster]

6. Until recently, I have patronized (and still donate) to a local thrift shop that

supports a shelter for battered women and children.

A chanage in management at the locality I shopped at changed the focus of the shop and I find it less interesting to browse. (In the past, I found some gems... Now it is more like a junk shop. )

[Paper Roses]

5. I try and give to local non-profit organizations.

The volunteers work hard, get no salaries, are usually understaffed but still do good works for their communities.
The big guys are established, the small charity Thrift shops need your help now more than ever.

[tblue]

7. A teenager? A felony?

My gosh, that's awful. I guess firing him is within reason, but they want to put him in prison? Really? Glad they dropped the charges but how could Goodwill ever get that far? Who would do something like that??