Most consumers in Bakersfield have likely experienced a round-up campaign, one of those fundraisers that invite customers to round up their transaction total to the nearest dollar, with the spare change directed to a nonprofit or charity.
These low-pressure efforts to raise money for a cause allow consumers to make no-fuss, no-muss micro-donations while running an errand or picking up dinner.
On Tuesday morning, at the Goodwill store on Coffee Road, Goodwill industries of South Central California President and CEO Jake Slayton used an oversized check to hand over a donation of approximately $4,200 to Shawn Kennemer, president and CEO of Bakersfield ARC, a nonprofit that has provided job training, employment and support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in Kern County since 1949.
“We had actually been discussing Round Up for quite a while,” Slayton said at the news event.
“A lot of Goodwills do it, but we kind of held off because we were like, ‘What’s our place? What are we asking for? What do we want to do?'”
After talking it over, they decided to give it a try by partnering with another nonprofit, one that is “also serving the mission,” a nonprofit that is really making a difference on the ground in the community.
It was an easy choice, Slayton said.
Bakersfield ARC.
The mission at Bakersfield ARC, Kennemer said, is to help people with intellectual or developmental disabilities keep the life of their own choosing and support them in their effort.
“In order to live the life of your own choosing,” he said, “you have to be able to have employment,” and their partnership with Goodwill does just that.
“We have 19 people that are currently employed (at Goodwill),” Kennemer said. “It’s just amazing. You are, by far, our biggest partner in employment. And we just appreciate it. Thank you.”
The extra funding will not go into a general fund, Kennemer said, but rather will help with special needs, someone in need of food, maybe work-related clothing, or simply a bill they can’t pay.
According to Goodwill, the first month of their new roundup campaign was a success. Through small donations at checkout, customers helped make a meaningful impact for Bakersfield ARC and the individuals they serve.
It’s all thanks to everyday shoppers, local residents who contributed to funding services that directly benefit their fellow community members, Goodwill said in a news release.