Updates from Ryan
Happy March!
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. While I understand the reason for that name, I have also heard many people say during my five years at Goodwill that this month is really about something more: recognizing and celebrating the amazing abilities that every person has.
Our talents, interests, passions, and goals are part of what make each of us unique. Those qualities deserve to be celebrated, not just during one month of the year, but every single day. At Goodwill, we are in a unique position to help people build on those strengths, reach their full potential, and celebrate their success along the way.
This past Thursday, we had a special guest at our Management Meeting. Joe DeLoss, founder of Hot Chicken Takeover, spoke to our managers about what it means to be entrepreneurial. Drawing from his experience building successful businesses (not to mention delicious fried chicken and mac & cheese), Joe shared lessons about innovation, adaptability, and leadership.
His remarks were the perfect lead-in to the main reason for our meeting: introducing Goodwill Columbus’ revised purpose statement and ICARE values.
Our purpose statement defines why we do what we do. It reflects the heart of our mission and the reason I am proud to serve alongside this team each day.
Our new purpose statement is:
Helping People Build Lives of Possibility and Purpose
We also shared two updates to our ICARE values:
- Collaboration will now be defined as “Teamwork” instead of “Work Together.” We believe “teamwork” better captures the way we must come together to achieve our shared purpose.
- The “E” in ICARE will now stand for “Entrepreneurial” instead of “Excellence.” The needs of our community continue to change, and Goodwill must continue to evolve with them. Like our founder, Reverend Edgar Helms, the original entrepreneur, we must keep finding better ways to serve.
There is much more to come as we continue introducing our purpose statement and ICARE values, but I wanted to share these highlights with you now.
Thank you for all that you do each day. You matter to our organization. You matter to the individuals we serve. You matter to your fellow employees. And you matter to this community.
I am deeply grateful for you.
Ryan
Ryan Burgess
President and CEO
Introducing our new values and purpose statement:
March Highlights
Artist of the Month: Ella Mae
Every Friday, the Goodwill Art Studio has been a little brighter thanks to Ella Mae. A dedicated artist who finds inspiration “straight from her head,” Ella Mae has become a staple of our creative community.
Ella Mae has a very specific artistic vision. While an observer might see a beautiful arrangement of abstract geometry and bold shapes, Ella Mae calls these vibrant compositions her “Rainbows.” Using a mix of colored pencils and markers, she fills her drawing paper with a variety of colors to bring these unique, structured rainbows to life.
WellWorks Wellness Newsletter
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month!
Click here to learn tips for living beyond the diagnoses and supporting life after brain injury.
Be sure to download Wellworks For You for more information and rewards!
Benefits Resources!
Please see below for important wellness and benefits information for 2026:
Upcoming Events
MARCH 26
Westerville Retail Store Grand Opening
We’re opening our largest retail location to date – over 13,000 square feet of thrifted goodies in Westerville (located next to Walmart)!
MARCH
Women’s History Month
Each year, March is dedicated to honoring women’s contributions in American history.
At Goodwill Columbus, we are celebrating the amazing accomplishments of women in our organization and throughout our community.
March
2025 Q3 Vision Survey Feedback
Thank you to everyone who shared feedback in our 3Q survey. Your input helps shape how we move forward together.
Click the link below to see what we heard from the Goodwill Columbus team, and what we are doing as a result!
Spotlights!
Meet Monica
Meet Monica! Monica is the Senior Area Manager of Security and will celebrate her 3 year anniversary with the Goodwill Columbus team this May!
Monica joined Goodwill Columbus when she was searching for something stable. Her previous employment was in loss prevention, where she was a Site Supervisor, but the job had become too much of a safety hazard.
Because of her past experience, Monica was initially offered an Assistant Area Manager position at Goodwill and has never looked back! Within 6 months, she was promoted to Area Manager, and a few months later after showcasing her skills, Monica was promoted to her current position of Sr. Area Manager!
Click here to read Monica’s full story!
Fantastic job, Monica!
My Brother’s Closet Helps Dads Show Up in Style
This February, the Franklin County Community Based Correctional Facility (CBCF), hosted a Father–Daughter Dance for fathers participating in its reentry program.
It was a night centered on connection.
Daughters arrived early for hair and nail services. There was a red carpet, dinner, music, and dancing. Each daughter was announced as she walked in, where her dad greeted her with a custom corsage.
Before any of that happened, though, we had the privilege of playing a small role.
Birthdays
Promotions
Anniversaries
Nominate a Co-Worker for an ICARE Award
Notice a co-worker demonstrating an ICARE value? Nominate them for an ICARE Award. Both of you could win prizes to recognize your hard work and commitment!
ICARE Awards Roundup
Each month we are celebrating members of the Goodwill Columbus team for their participation in the ICARE Awards. The February “See Something, Say Something” winners nominated multiple coworkers for an ICARE Award!
***Please check your email to claim your gift card!***
FEBRUARY “SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING” $25 GIFT CARD WINNERS
- James Sikes
- Tiffany Martin
- Connie Butler
FEBRUARY ICARE NOMINEES – $25 GIFT CARD WINNERS
The following Goodwill Columbus employees were nominated for ICARE Awards in February!
- Jeff Rudzinski
- Veronica Riley
- Jimia McCoy
- Tammara Maynard
- Austin Ware
- Janet Newsmith
- William Jones
- Cathy Guerin
- Michael Kelly
- Justice Okereke
- Gabriel Gore
- Taurong Villeuve
Excellence: “I would like to nominate Anthony Hawkins for an ICARE Award, as he consistently exemplifies every aspect of Integrity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence in his daily work. Anthony engages each participant with genuine care, patience, and professionalism, ensuring that every interaction reflects the highest standards of our ICARE values. He not only supports participants with clarity and compassion, but also actively collaborates with coworkers to strengthen communication, share ideas, and uphold educational expectations that benefit the individuals we serve.” Gary Gerhardt on Anthony Hawkins
Integrity: “Felix jumped right in after the big snow and cleared off vans and walkways. He is always friendly and helpful.” Kathy Ramey on Felix Tantangha
Integrity: “Joy has recently been promoted to Security Supervisor of her site. When Joy first started with us, she had a lot of hurdles and things were very bumpy at first. But ever since then she has done nothing but excel, not just at work but at home as well. She is a great Officer and I believe she will be an even greater Supervisor.” Monica Wilbanks on Joy Pace
A special message from Amy Wassmuth to her management team:
I want to take a moment to recognize and truly thank each of you for everything you’ve been doing over these past few months. Even while we’ve been understaffed, you have all stepped up in such an incredible way. You’ve taken on additional responsibilities, jumped in wherever needed, and handled tasks that our associates would normally manage — all while balancing your own day‑to‑day management priorities.
I know it hasn’t been easy. We’ve all felt the long days, the stress, and the pressure. But your dedication, teamwork, and willingness to keep things moving have made all the difference. I appreciate each of you more than I can express.
The good news is that we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s because of your hard work and commitment that we’ve continued to push forward so successfully.
Thank you for showing up, stepping up, and supporting each other. I’m truly proud to work alongside this amazing team.
With appreciation,
Amy Wassmuth