There is nothing quite like the energy of a room filled with pure determination and the pursuit of a better future.

On May 7, community leaders, local businesses, and our Goodwill family gathered at the historic Bleckley Station in downtown Anderson for our annual Champions of Change Luncheon & Awards Ceremony. It was an unforgettable afternoon powered by stories of individuals who faced adversity, utilized the resources of Goodwill, and completely rewrote their futures.

Our Champions of Change event places a spotlight on the human faces behind our mission. Each year, it honors remarkable people who have used our education and training programs to achieve professional stability and long-term economic mobility.

As our President & CEO, Pat Michaels, shared, “This event allows us to celebrate firsthand the positive impact that our programs have on the lives of our neighbors and their families. We are always excited to celebrate these stories of triumph over adversity in the heart of the Upstate.”

These journeys require a village. Alongside our individual award winners, we celebrated our vital partner organizations and local employers who help us continually ensure career seekers graduate into robust support networks.

The highlight of the afternoon was honoring our award winners. While words can describe their achievements, seeing their journeys firsthand is truly powerful! Click the links below to watch these incredible stories:

William Godfrey

Bill Hummers Mission Impact Award Winner

Markus Parker

William Wylie Career and Training Center Award Winner

S.C. Department of Corrections

LaCrystal Jackson Community Partner Award Winner

Kimberly Westmoreland

Lloyd Auten Achiever of the Year Award Winner

The ceremony also recognized an incredible partner organization, ADECCO USA with the Cecil McFarland Employer Partner Award.

The partnership between Goodwill and Adecco USA stands as a powerful model of what is possible when two organizations align their missions to champion the local workforce. By bridging the gap between potential and opportunity, this collaboration has transformed lives at the Goodwill’s Gaffney Career and Training Center, most notably through the Nestle expansion initiative. This joint effort successfully placed 600 individuals into life-changing roles, proving that strategic cooperation can dismantle long-standing barriers to employment. Adecco’s commitment goes beyond mere placement; by advocating for higher wages and implementing comprehensive benefits, they have set a new standard for equitable labor practices. Together, Goodwill and Adecco are not just filling jobs – they are building sustainable career pathways and empowering our community toward lasting independence.

Also, as a special recognition, Pat Michaels and board member, Tony Bell, recognized one of the most steadfast champions of Goodwill’s mission, Michele Brinn, with the Tony Bell Champion Award.

For decades, Michele Brinn has navigated a life defined by the fundamental belief that we have a responsibility to leave the world better than we found it. Her unwavering commitment to the mission of Goodwill Industries of the Upstate and Midlands—spanning decades of service as a dedicated board member, Board Chair, and steadfast leader—stands as a powerful reflection of her profound passion for empowering others. Since moving to Greenville in 1990, Michele has been an architect of opportunity, channeling her deep-rooted expertise in education and workforce development to help countless individuals navigate their unique paths toward sustainable employment and personal dignity. From her early days as a math instructor to her 17-year tenure at the Chamber of Commerce, her career has been a masterclass in community advocacy, and at Goodwill, she has translated that same energy into high-level governance to ensure the organization remains a beacon of hope. Michele has never been content to sit on the sidelines; whether she was shaping the Carolina First Center for Excellence or acting as a professional "matchmaker" to connect students with employers, she has focused on the practical mechanics of change. Her leadership has consistently prioritized the transformative power of education, ensuring that Goodwill’s mission remains centered on providing people with the skills necessary for self-sufficiency. Ultimately, Michele’s legacy is found not just in the boardrooms she has led, but in the thousands of lives throughout the Upstate and Midlands that are more secure because of her tireless advocacy and heart for service.

The 2026 luncheon may be over, but the work never stops. If you or someone you know is ready to take the next step toward a new career path, our FREE training and career services are open to all.

• Ready to launch  your own store? Visit goodwillsc.org to find a Career and Training Center near you.
• Want to keep supporting? Keep donating, keep shopping, and keep believing in the power of work. To make a donation to support our mission, visit https://www.goodwillsc.org/give-online/

Congratulations to our 2026 Champions – thank you for inspiring us all to keep moving forward!