<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=761998377238353&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
toggle mobile navigation
Put your financial donation to work in your community.

Military Veteran Stories

Goodwill Military Success Stories


At Goodwill, we honor and respect the servicemen and women who have served our country and we're proud to share their stories with you.

John Toliver

Posted by Goodwill Staff on Nov 11, 2022 9:00:00 AM

Former Goodwill Team Member and U.S. Navy Veteran Recognized as Distinguished Nominee for Carol and Tommy Moore Veteran of the Year Award.

Read More

Nicole Brown

Posted by Goodwill Staff on Nov 30, 2020 6:06:39 PM

At an early age, Nicole Brown found herself seeking out opportunities to challenge herself. Although she didn’t have much guidance for college or post-graduate life, she was constantly searching for new ways to push herself in order to reach and redefine her true potential, both physically and mentally.

Read More

Nicol Britten

Posted by Goodwill Staff on Nov 11, 2020 1:21:38 PM

One of my husband Dan’s earliest memories was when he was six years old. He saw an Army Ranger in uniform and thought, that’s what a superhero looks like. That memory eventually inspired his own service in the Army.

Read More

John Work

Posted by Goodwill Staff on Nov 11, 2020 12:40:22 PM

When John Work left the Marines as an accomplished 1st Lieutenant, he entered the Marine Corps Reserves where he earned the rank of Captain. Now, John continues to serve his fellow Marines and other American soldiers through his work as an HR Advisor for Goodwill in Illinois.

Read More

George Heard

Posted by Goodwill Staff on Nov 9, 2020 9:01:07 AM

I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1959. While growing up, I spent some time in Detroit, Michigan but moved back to Milwaukee to finish up high school.

Read More

Jodi Allen

Posted by Goodwill Staff on Nov 2, 2020 3:38:40 PM

I grew up in Lafayette, Indiana as the youngest of four kids in a single-parent household. Some of my first memories are of being enthralled by aircraft. My mom used to take me to O’Hare International Airport so I could watch all the planes land and take off.

Read More

Daane Hoffman

Posted by Jenny Nelson on Nov 18, 2019 9:52:31 AM

Daane Hoffman enlisted in January of 1999. Before getting orders to Naval Station 32nd Street in San Diego, he completed his basic training and Radioman A-school at Naval Station Great Lakes. Now 20 years later, Daane has returned to the base, but this time as an employee of Goodwill.

Read More

Steve Morimoto

Posted by Goodwill Staff on Nov 18, 2019 9:45:50 AM

Steven Morimoto served in the military for six years as a combat medic. However, like many Veterans, Steven found it very challenging to transition to civilian life. Then he found Goodwill.

Read More

Dan Newberry

Posted by Guest on Nov 8, 2018 2:36:02 PM

Dan Newberry, Manager of Goodwill’s E-cycle Operations, joined the Army right after high school, expecting to complete a lifelong military career. That plan ended abruptly in 2012. Honorably discharged due to a medical-related disability, Dan soon found himself adrift.

"I went from having a sense of responsibility, pride and direction in life, to nothing. It was incredibly difficult," he recalled.

Read More

Sarah Urban

Posted by Guest on Jan 19, 2018 11:14:45 AM

Sarah Urban, It Support Services Manager, spent ten years in the military, a journey that began in 1994 shortly after high school.  “I was looking for professional direction and an opportunity to start a career. I wanted an adventure, to travel and to find new experiences,” she said. Knowing that the military provided career advancement and educational assistance, it seemed like the right path. Like her step-dad before her, Sarah chose the Navy. 

Read More

WISCONSIN
Mission Support Center
Tel: (414) 847-4200

James O. Wright Center forWork & Training
Tel: (414) 353-6400

ILLINOIS
Metropolitan Chicago -
Administration
Tel: (312) 994-1440