President Bush To Greet Goodwill Award Winners At The White House On The Eve Of Goodwill Industries Centennial Celebration Kick-Off

Market Wire, 20050229

President George W. Bush will welcome Paula Barton and Ruby Morton, Goodwill Industries International's 2002 Graduate and Achiever of the Year, in the Oval Office on Monday, May 6. The meeting is scheduled for 3:40 p.m.

Paula Barton, from Rochester, NY, was born with cerebral palsy, diabetes, a learning disability and a disease that causes progressive blindness. Her struggle was compounded five years ago, when a drunk driver hit the car she was riding in, leaving her permanently paralyzed. ABVI-Goodwill Rochester was there to help. After receiving an array of career services, Barton was hired by ADT Security Services as a customer service representative. She has since earned two promotions, and today manages 15 employees.

At age 22, Ruby Morton, a native of Gulfport, MS, was blinded in a gun accident, but went on to raise eight children. When her husband left her in 1989, Morton's emotional devastation was compounded by her financial uncertainty. At age 65, blind and with little work experience, she was turned away by company after company. Morton began working one day a week at Goodwill in Gulfport, and was quickly promoted to full time receptionist. She has since assumed the added responsibility of supervising Goodwill's donation center attendants. Last year, local Girl Scout troops honored her with "Ruby Morton Make a Difference Day." Morton also represented Biloxi and Gulfport in the Olympic Torch Relay.

"We recognize Paula Barton and Ruby Morton for their perseverance and determination to build meaningful careers," says George W. Kessinger, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "Through their success, employers across the country see that hiring people with disabilities is a good investment -- for the company, the community and the employee."

The White House event is closed press. Barton and Morton are available for interviews following their meeting with President Bush. Barton will also attend the Goodwill Industries Centennial Celebration kick-off at the National Press Club on Tuesday, May 7, 10 :00 a.m. EDT.

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 209 community-based, autonomous member organizations in the United States, Canada, and 22 other countries. Each organization serves people with disabilities and other needs by providing job training and employment services, as well as job placement opportunities and post-employment support. Through its services, the network helps people overcome barriers to employment and become independent, tax-paying members of their communities. Since the organization's founding in 1902, Goodwill has helped nearly 6 million people. In 2001, more than 540,000 people benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill Industries International reported $1.94 (b) in revenues, and channels 86% of its revenues directly into its programs and services.