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Recognizing Achievements!
Every year Goodwill recognizes extraordinary graduates,
volunteers, employees and community and business partners
at our Annual Awards Luncheon. Below are the inspiring
stories from the 2006 winners.
Senator William V.
Roth, Jr. Achievement Award
Douglas Perkins
In 1965, Douglas Perkins was a recent high school graduate,
working in the steam room at Allied Kid (leather manufacturer).
Thing were going well for Doug, until one night when
he and some friends were driving home from a party.
Doug’s brother lost control of the car and was
in an accident. Doug was in a coma for 4 months and
sustained injuries to the brain, resulting in spasticity
of the lower extremities.
Due to his injuries, Doug was unable to return to work,
so he had to depend on disability assistance from the
government. While going through therapy, Doug was referred
to Goodwill by the Delaware Division of Rehabilitation.
At Goodwill, Douglas entered the adjustment training/sheltered
employee program. He eventually was hired by the organization
in July of 1965.
Working for Goodwill, at the organization’s 28th
Street location in Wilmington, DE, he repaired bicycles
and upholstered furniture. Eventually Doug moved to
Goodwill’s headquarters in Wilmington –
The Goodwill Center – after the organization closed
the 28th Street building and stopped repairing donations.
Douglas moved into another area, Goodwill’s Contracts
Department, where he performed a wide variety of jobs.
Besides being successful in his professional life, Douglas’s
personal life also blossomed. In the 1980’s, Douglas
married and became the father of a daughter and a son.
Today, after nearly 42 years of service, Douglas is
still working for Goodwill – now in the warehouse
– and is still happily married!
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