You probably already know your donations of clothing and household items to Goodwill helps the organization raise money through their 20 retail stores in the metro and surrounding area, but attending the organization's annual Peace, Love & Goodwill Festival provides an opportunity to enrich the lives of Oklahoma City youth and have fun at the same time.
This year's festival is scheduled for June 5 and benefits Goodwill's Youth Programs including GoodGuides At Risk Mentoring Program, Work Adjustment Program, Summer Program and Ability Scholarship Program.
More than 10,000 people are expected at the massive festival, which will include a full day of family-friendly activities like face painting, inflatables, crafts, bubble stations, live entertainment, food trucks and more.
The programs benefited by the annual event do incredible things for local youth:
- The Goodwill Abilities Scholarship Program provides disabled and disadvantaged youth with college scholarships.
- The GoodGuides At Risk Mentoring Program helps youth ages 12-17 at risk of teen pregnancy, gang membership or delinquency build career plans, skill development and future work success through structured relationships with adult mentors.
- The Work Adjustment Program prepares youth with disabilities for transition into the workforce and independent living following high school graduation.
- The Summer Youth Program provides opportunities for students with and without disabilities to work side-by-side in a variety of work and volunteer experiences.
The Peace, Love & Goodwill Festival will be hosted from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, June 5 at Myriad Botanical Gardens. There will be 40 pop-up shops, Oklahoma artists on three stages and 27 food trucks on site. In addition to many free experiences, admission to the expanded children's area is $10 and includes activities like canvas painting, face painting, inflatables, Spin the Wheel from Dave & Busters, crafts, a duck pond and LEGO table. Find more information at www.peacelovegoodwill.org.
