This November, Goodwill Southern California will inaugurate an annual fundraising gala to honor and celebrate local heroes. The first annual Goodwill Gala for Heroes will salute veterans, including high profile community members and individuals from Entertainment and Business, who are either veterans themselves, or, have made significant contributions to advancing the veteran community.

All of the proceeds from the 2013 Gala will help fund and advance Goodwill Southern California’s no cost employment programs and services for veterans.

About the Veteran Employment Program

For Sponsorship Opportunities Please Click Here or Contact
Peggy Smith, Senior Director of Major Gifts & Planned Giving
323.539.2031  .  psmith@goodwillsocal.org

2013 Honorees

Gary Sinise

For over thirty years, Gary Sinise has stood as an advocate of America’s servicemen and women. It began in the early ‘80s with his support of Vietnam Veterans groups and the creation of Vets Night, a program offering free dinners and performances to veterans at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. His commitment continued into the ‘90s working on behalf of the Disabled American Veterans organization which he continues to actively support. Since the attacks of September 11, his dedication to our nation’s active duty defenders, veterans and first responders has become a tireless crusade of support, service and gratitude to all those who protect our freedom and serve our country.

His portrayal of Lt. Dan Taylor in the landmark film “Forrest Gump” formed an enduring connection with servicemen and women throughout the military community. After several USO handshake tours in 2003, Sinise formed the “Lt. Dan Band” in early 2004 and began entertaining troops serving at home and abroad. The band now performs close to 50 shows a year for military bases, charities and fundraisers supporting veterans and troops. In 2011, to expand upon his efforts, Sinise established the Gary Sinise Foundation. Its mission is to serve and honor our nation’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need by creating and supporting unique programs that entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen and build communities.

The Cusumano Family

Established in 1959, the family owned and operated Cusumano Real Estate Group is one of the largest privately held property owners in Southern California. The group is involved in the acquisition, development, management and ownership of investment properties, including luxury apartments, (low and moderate) residential rental properties, senior apartments, office buildings, restaurants, warehouse and retail spaces. Their outstanding reputation in business is equaled by their exemplary commitment to service and civic leadership; helping to meet the needs of the community through philanthropy and many volunteer and advisory posts on local committees, commissions and charitable boards.

The Cusumano’s spirit of giving and community support is complemented by a history of military service. Today, Charlie Cusumano (IV) is enlisted in the U.S. Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade. After returning from front line deployment in Afghanistan earlier this year, he was stationed in Vicenza, Italy where he currently serves. His father, Charlie (III), helps severely wounded veterans regain a sense of purpose, and provides an important physical outlet to rehabilitate their minds, bodies and souls by sponsoring and traveling his “Paseo Tribe” triathlon team. A deeply personal commitment to training and supporting these veterans plays a vital role in successfully reintegrating these everyday heroes into civilian life.

Chris Marvin

Chris Marvin, Managing Director of Got Your 6, served more than seven years as a U.S. Army Officer and Blackhawk helicopter pilot. He led his platoon into combat in Afghanistan in 2004, flying over 40 combat missions before being severely wounded in a helicopter crash near the Afghan-Pakistan border. Over the next four years, Marvin underwent 10 major surgeries, before being medically retired. His military awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Medal. During his recovery, Marvin volunteered as an advocate for other wounded veterans.

Marvin earned a Masters in Business Administration from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame. Marvin was named the first Fellow for The Mission Continues and logged more than 2,000 volunteer hours in 2008 before joining the organization as the National Director of the Fellowship Program.

His military, volunteer and professional experience advanced a deep understanding of the basic needs of veteran reintegration and the common misconceptions that divide the military and civilian communities, which inspired the overall campaign goals of Got Your 6.

Got Your 6 is a campaign that unites the entertainment industry with top nonprofit organizations to change the conversation in America, such that veterans and military family members are seen as leaders and civic assets who will return home to reinvigorate our communities. This collective impact initiative features the major studios, networks, agencies, and guilds in the entertainment industry, alongside 30 nonprofits in the veteran and military family space and participants from the federal government—all centered around six metrics-based goals and the opportunity to raise awareness of the growing civilian-military divide.

We Couldn’t Have Done It Without You!

All of us at Goodwill Southern California would like to express our sincere gratitude to every partner and volunteer that helped to make our first Veteran Stand Down a success. We were able to serve over 340 homeless and at-risk veterans at the two-day event.

With the help of many, we provided food, clothing, education, housing and employment information, haircuts and makeovers, care packages, health services, mental health counseling, access to support services, phones and email, yoga, tai chi, massage, art, music, books, pet care, children’s activities and more.

We were inspired by the overwhelming generosity of so many people, businesses and organizations. We were humbled by the courage and spirit of those we were able to serve. And we are looking forward to doing it all again in 2014. Thank you again for your support!

2013 Stand Down Partners

211 .  Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) . Angela Lott – Yoga Instructor .  Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy . Bruce’s Catering . CA DMV . California Lifeline . Cavalier Counseling . Century Villages at Cabrillo . Chrysalis . Clinica Romero . Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services . Dr. Pepper/Snapple . East LA College . East LA Vet Center . EDD . Frito Lay . GSC HVRP . GSC WIPA Program . Homeless Health Care Los Angeles (HHCLA) . Human Potential Consultants, LLC . LA BBQ King . LA County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) . Mad Dog Video Game Truck . MakeOvers That Matter . McCready Baker – Yoga Instructor . Meet Yourself Yoga Therapy . Midnight Mission . Narcotics Anonymous (NA) . National Veterans Foundation . New Directions for Veterans . Operation Gratitude . People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) . PV Jobs . Red Cross . Saban Community Clinic . Serene Haven . Shelter Partnership . Society of St. Vincent De Paul . Southern California Health Institute (SOCHI) . Sparkletts . TELACU . TelePacific . The Hook-Up Resource Center . The Salvation Army Bell Shelter . The Salvation Army Haven . The Soldiers Project . U.S. Vets . U.S. Vets Long Beach . UCLA Welcome Back Veterans . Union Rescue Mission . Veteran Affairs (VA) . Veterans and Loved Ones Recovery (VALOR) . Volunteers of America (VOA) . Wei Wu Tai Chi . Wilmington Community Clinic . Yoga Across America . Yoga Everyone . Yogis Anonymous

A special thank you to Southern California Edison for your generous support.

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Watch this powerful story of one man’s commitment to overcoming his troubled past and excelling at Goodwill.

Learn more about Candice’s remarkable journey to success as a Youth Participant at Goodwill.

We are thrilled with the staff Goodwill placed at our organization and love what they are doing. We saved time, money and a lot of trouble by partnering with Goodwill and now we know where to turn when we need to fill positions at our company.

–David Bloom Executive Vice President, Martin Outdoor Media, LLC.

When we needed to find the right talent to help run the organization, we turned to the pros at Goodwill. We were very pleased with their service. They took care of everything and the staff they placed for us is terrific! We wanted to do business with Goodwill because it felt good – now we do business with Goodwill because they’re good at what they do.

–Mitch Butz, Assistant General Manager, High Desert Mavericks

Advancement in business includes recognizing the role our business can play in our community and how it can empower other individuals. We value our partnership with Goodwill Southern California for helping us enrich our own communities. We have been amazed at the variety of services offered and the quality of Goodwill employees now working at our facility. We look forward to our shared commitment.

– Lanny Shirk, President, Triumph Structures -Los Angeles, Inc.