by goods4good
Posted In: Press
Caught Reading: Melissa Kushner, Founder and Executive Director of Goods for Good, by Nojan Aminosharei
What does Goods for Good do? We basically take surplus goods from corporate organizations and provide them to orphans and vulnerable children in Southern Africa and Haiti—basic stuff like school uniforms, school supplies, and health and hygiene materials.
Sounds like a challenging job. Do you find much time to read? I do most of my readings on the long flights to Africa, since I’m back and forth several times a year. So I usually bring a stack of books with me. And when I stay in Malawi, where I spend most of my time in Africa, there’s no electricity, so I often get a lot of reading done. That’s where I get the most peace and quiet.
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by goods4good
Posted In: Press
One ‘Good’ Turn Deserves Another, by Wendy Furrer
It was an evening of fabulous photographs and philanthropy at the Chelsea Art Museum last night. Award-winning celebrity photographer Brian Marcus exhibited and auctioned off his moving series Malawi: Images of Progress to benefit Goods for Good, a non-profit organization that finds surplus products from U.S. corporations and funnels them to vulnerable children in the developing world, principally in Malawi and Haiti. The organization provides necessary school supplies, clothing, health and hygiene products to many children in need while also reducing waste at home. Its motto? Making Progress out of Excess.
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by goods4good
Posted In: Press
Goods for Good Gives a Helping Hand to the People of Malawi, by Christopher Koulouris
This past Monday night saw a very abundant turnout in support of Melissa Kushner’s foundation, Goods for Good (founded in 2006) at the Chelsea Art Museum, raising awareness of the plight of the Malawian people as well as some much needed funds.
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by goods4good
Posted In: Press
Goods for Good, by James Andrew
We at WIJW often speak about “elevated living,” and if you’ve read our thoughts on the subject then you will know that the sort of richness we are talking about is not just some sort of external makeover, but it is a richness that extend into all areas of our lives, inside and out.
To this end I think that one of the most powerful ways to affect change in our lives, is through the simple act of giving. It may seem counter intuitive in tough times to open one’s hearts and give, but this is a sure fire way to produce true and positive change in our own lives and the lives of others. In lending a hand to others we are also cultivate inner wealth – in effect one could call “giving” THE most essential part of one’s well-being stimulus plan!
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by goods4good
Posted In: Press
Finding Charity in Everyday Life: The Goods for Good Project by Melissa Lafsky
This year, on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, the Huffington Post headlined with a powerful and inspiring quote from the reverend himself: “Life’s Most Persistent And Urgent Question Is: What Are You Doing For Others?” It isn’t a hypothetical question or a platitude — it’s a mandate for assuming a meaningful lifestyle that is about more than just ourselves and our needs. It’s a call to live your life concerned with not just your own gain, but also the well-being of others.
Melissa Kushner, a New Yorker who formerly worked for the United Nations, thought of a way to put her knowledge, connections, and skills to work to achieve a massive goal. Before a trip to Malawi in 2006, a thought occurred to her: American manufacturers are producing so much that we see huge surpluses in this country, while children in developing nations are without basic needs like school supplies — which can make a substantial difference in a child’s quality of life. So why not call U.S. companies and ask them to donate the products they have left over?
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by goods4good
Posted In: Press
Celebrity Photographer Brian Marcus Exhibits Work to Benefit Goods for Good
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ebrity photographer Brian Marcus, of Fred Marcus Photography, is pleased to present ”Malawi: Images of Progress,” an exhibit and auction to benefit Goods for Good (G4G). In March 2009 Brian travelled to Malawi, East Africa to document the work of Goods for Good, a (501)(c)(3) nonprofit organization matching surplus goods from the United States with the needs of orphans and vulnerable children in the developing world. On Monday, February 1st Brian is showcasing the photographs from his trip at the Chelsea Art Museum at 556 West 22nd St. from 7:00-10:00PM. Proceeds from the evening will directly support the work of Goods for Good.
“Brian Marcus’s images truly capture the complexity of life in Malawi, including the hardships, simple pleasures and triumphs. Similarly, he captures the many layers of Goods for Good’s programs, from our large distributions of materials to the subtle interactions between our staff, local leaders and the children. I am confident that attendees will find this event educational and inspiring.”- Melissa Kushner, Founder and Executive Director of Goods for Good
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by goods4good
Posted In: Press
Goods for Good Launches Special Collection of Holiday Ecards Sending Holiday Greetings with Meaning by Peachy Deegan
Non-profit Goods for Good has teamed up with a roster of some of the hottest illustrators and graphic artists in New York and London to create a fun and stylish series of special holiday eCards available on the charity’s web site (www.goods4good.org) or directly at www.goods4good.org/ecard/sendcard. These eCards provide a paperless, environmentally-sound way of sending holiday wishes while helping to provide orphans in Malawi and Haiti with basic materials such as clothing, pens, paper, soap, etc. Providing even more incentive to give is a generous matching grant from Merck. Through December 31st the company will match each dollar donated (up to $10,000).
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by goods4good
Posted In: Press
Last Minute Gift Ideas, Goods for Good Ecards
Goods for Good teamed up with five artists to create a series of holiday e-cards, which matches excess goods from the United States (often heading to landfills) with the needs of children in the developing world, while reducing waste in the U.S.
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by goods4good
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Speaking Her Voice: Q&A Melissa Kushner
What really goes on in a woman’s mind? Melissa Kushner, Executive Director and Founder of Goods for Good took time out of her very busy schedule to answer our questions. Thank you Melissa for your generous contribution!
WCC- What have you learned about yourself in the past year?
MK- I feel like I learn something new everyday whether it is in my job or at home with my husband. Life is so fast and there are so many things coming at you at once I continue to learn and struggle with how to juggle everything, but I’m starting to realize that this is life.
WCC- What do you see when you look in the mirror?
MK- It all depends. M-F I would say a WOMAN. Sat-Sun I would say a tired little girl (does that make any sense?).
WCC-What defines you as a woman?
MK - This does not define me as a woman but as a person…I work among and within many different worlds that require quite a bit of navigating. Whether it is in a rural village in Africa, living in the West Village in Manhattan, fundraising among powerful business people, working hands on with orphans…I am always amazed that I am able to adapt…I think this is a very interesting human characteristic and capability.
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