We’re celebrating our “Goodwill Greats,” associates who have dedicated 20+ years and Board Members who have committed 10+ years to serving our mission, customers, and community. Debra Harper works as a Production Assistant at our Upstate Warehouse. She’s been part of the Goodwill team for 21 years! She processes a lot of the clothing you’ll find at some of our Upstate retail stores. We spent time with Debra to learn what keeps her going after two decades at Goodwill.

Question: What's the first word you think of when you hear "Goodwill"?

Debra:  Mission. That’s why we’re all here. We help people find jobs they love. I even have family members who’ve used Goodwill to earn training certifications and get other help finding jobs.

Question: What do you enjoy most about working at Goodwill?

Debra: It’s just a great job!  I get to work with good people. I also enjoy knowing I’m a part of our mission to put people back to work. In the time I’ve been here, we’ve helped thousands and thousands of people find a job through our career services.

Question: What keeps you going at Goodwill?

Debra: First, I like to work. I want to stay busy. Also, as I said earlier, I’ve seen Goodwill come full circle for my family. Two of my nieces came through our Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification program. I’ve had brothers and cousins also receive support services from Goodwill. I work at Goodwill, because I’ve seen firsthand how we change peoples’ lives.