Photo courtesy of Goodwill Goodwill employees in Marshall on Tuesday celebrate 100th anniversary of Goodwill in the region.

MARSHALL — Tuesday was a special day for the staff at Marshall’s Goodwill retail store; one that included top level Goodwill officials, the Goodwill mobile bus, a proclamation, a ribbon cutting, free lunch and in-store specials.

The event was part of Goodwill’s activities aimed at celebrating the 100th anniversary of Goodwill in the region. In 1890, the group became part of the international Goodwill network in 1923.

Goodwill Chief Executive Officer Briget Solomon said the Marshall event was part of a series of observances at Goodwill stores in the Upper Midwest. The organization operates 21 retail outlets, and will open a 22nd store in Vermillion, South Dakota, in 2024.

“The centennial is a special occasion,” Solomon said. “We wanted to go out into our communities. We want city leaders and the general public to help in celebrating our mission.”

Goodwill markets used clothing, home decor and household goods. Proceeds from the sales go to help job seekers improve their career prospects.

The mobile bus, complete with Wi-Fi Internet, frequently goes out into the region to be used by clients in communities between Mason City, Iowa, and Rapid City, South Dakota.

“We couldn’t do it without all the donors and the shoppers,” Solomon said. “Our profits go toward job services. We give people opportunities to succeed.”

Dan Peters, a Goodwill supervisor based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, said about 30,000 people were served in some way by Goodwill in 2022.

“We want people to know about our values and our sense of compassion,” Peters said. “It’s all about treating people with dignity. We help people to build skills and then celebrate their achievements.”

Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes, who issued a proclamation in honor of the Goodwill anniversary, said Marshall’s Goodwill sees a continuously high level of business.

He added that Goodwill benefits people on several levels, depending on their needs as shoppers or as owners of property that can be donated.

“Our Goodwill store is a busy place,” Byrnes said. “It’s an opportunity for people to buy good quality merchandise at favorable prices. For others it’s a way to recycle things that are no longer needed. Either way it help to fulfill Goodwill’s mission.”

Marshall Goodwill Manager Josh Tolley said he and his staff enjoyed Tuesday’s events as a milestone for Goodwill, one that points toward many more years of success.

“We’ve been looking forward to this,” Tolley said. “It’s an important day for us. We wanted to celebrate it with the community and with our customers.”