Whataburger, Hooks and Goodwill Join Forces

CORPUS CHRISTI - Whataburger and Goodwill Industries of South Texas are teaming up in 2012 to reward fans who donate gently-used Corpus Christi Hooks clothing items to those who need a boost.

All season long, anyone who donates such an item to Goodwill at Hook, Line & Sinker, official team store of the Hooks at Whataburger Field, receives a new Hooks shirt from Goodwill and two game ticket vouchers compliments of Whataburger.

Upon redemption of their voucher at the box office, fans get a special coupon offer from Whataburger.

"Whataburger and Goodwill are difference-makers in our community and our continuing association with them is a great privilege," Hooks GM Michael Wood said.

Wood outlined three other related initiatives involving Whataburger, Goodwill and the Hooks this year:

•Prior to all eight Wednesday Whataburger Family Day games, ballpark staff will be at the main gates where fans can donate clothing items at the large Whataburger fry box in exchange for a new Hooks shirt and ticket voucher.

•On May 11, June 8, July 13 and August 10, Whataburger and KFTX-FM will promote Goodwill collection efforts at local Whataburger restaurants (locations TBD) during lunch hour. Hooks players and mascots are scheduled to appear.

•May 6-12 is Goodwill Week, when regular donors at any of the 17 Coastal Bend donation centers earn free tickets to the Hooks' Saturday, May 12 game against the Frisco RoughRiders.  Hooks fans can also donate at the large Whataburger fry box before home games all week long.

"The partnership with the Hooks is making a meaningful impact on our local community and the environment and we are honored to welcome Whataburger as our new community supporter," Goodwill VP of Operations Dan Owen said. "When fans donate their gently-used item, they are sending a message of sustainability.  The act of donating not only diverts these items from landfills; it also helps job seekers from our own neighborhood find employment to support their families."

For more information about Whataburger's menu, locations and community outreach, visit www.whataburger.com, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/whataburger or follow us on Twitter @Whataburger.

About Goodwill Industries of South Texas Inc.
Although many still associate the name "Goodwill" almost exclusively with our donations and store operations, Goodwill is actually so much more than a great place to drop off donations and shop. Goodwill believes in the power of work. Through work a person can gain a sense of dignity and independence. Our South Texas community also grows and prospers when more individuals are working and actively contributing to society.

When you donate your unwanted, gently-used items such as clothing, household items or even furniture to Goodwill, you are helping someone in South Texas find meaningful employment. Donations are converted into dollars through sales in our stores. These dollars then fund Goodwill's mission of providing life-changing opportunities for people with disabilities or other barriers to employment. To fulfill our mission and help South Texans get to work, Goodwill offers employment and training programs. The basic services received through our programs include job preparation, job placement, and job retention.

Goodwill also creates employment opportunities for the people we serve. Perhaps the best-kept secret about Goodwill is the Commercial Services division. Through this division, many Goodwill participants gain valuable work experience and skills. Goodwill currently maintains a variety of outsourcing contracts such as janitorial, grounds keeping and document destruction.

For more information visit www.goodwillsouthtexas.com