Customers go to Rocky's to show their good will

By Danielle Paine

Reminder Assistant Editor

EAST LONGMEADOW - Some recent spring cleaning had more than the usual benefits when Rocky's Ace Hardware stores teamed up with Goodwill Industries of Springfield for the first annual Spring Fling.

At the East Longmeadow Rocky's store, customers and local residents brought enough donations of used clothing, furniture and household items to fill a 24-foot truck. Donations from all of the event's four locations, four truck-loads total, will provide the funds to train disabled area residents for employment.

"Basically we're trying to build a better community and any money we get from donations stays local," explained Nancy Reilly, Vice President of Marketing for Goodwill Industries of Springfield. "By teaching people and getting them employment people it helps the community. By pairing with Rocky's, also a community business, we're working together for the betterment of the community."

Aside from lending the space to hold the event, Rocky's staff provided advertising, signs and an extra hand when needed. The Minnechaug Regional High School girl's lacrosse team was also on hand at the East Longmeadow event, using the in-store announcement system to remind shoppers to return with donations. According to General Manager David Simoneau, Rocky's shoppers heard the message loud and clear.

"Later on in the afternoon you should have seen all the people coming back," he explained. "It was unbelievable. They were giving some good stuff too."

Last year in a similar drive with Goodwill, Simoneau said 250,000 pounds of goods were collected for resale at Goodwill stores. He believes they have topped that figure this time around.

"It's a good cause for people," Simoneau said of the partnership. "We're a reputable company in small communities and this reaches out to lot of people."

By collecting used items and reselling them in their local stores, Goodwill Industries of Springfield served 815 people last year through job training in janitorial, computer and assembly work. They also assisted those who are reentering the workforce with resume writing and mock interviews.