Goodwill (lincolngoodwill.org) celebrated another garage sale season by hosting its 14th annual Neighborhood Challenge. This year, Goodwill collected 9,250 total pounds of donations from six participating neighborhoods.
Goodwill’s Neighborhood Challenge gives Lincoln associations the opportunity to donate their gently used items after garage sales or clean-up events. The top associations that donate over 2,000 pounds win a cash prize to help fund a neighborhood-improvement project of their choice.
This year’s first-place winner was the Highlands Neighborhood Association with 4,416 pounds of donations collected. Wellington Greens Neighborhood Association donated 2,776 pounds of goods for second place. Other participating associations included ECCO, Arnold Heights, Southwood and Eastridge.
Goodwill would like to thank all participants for generously supporting their mission: “Willing workers employed and community resources maximized.” For 94 years, Lincoln Goodwill has used the sale of donated goods to help local job seekers overcome obstacles, find work and gain financial independence. By funding a variety of local employment services and programs, Goodwill served over 6,300 individuals in Southeast Nebraska in 2025. Goodwill also recycles many donations that cannot be sold, diverting over 2.3 million pounds of materials from the local landfill last year.
To host a Goodwill donation drive, call (402) 438-2022 or email donate@lincolngoodwill.org. Goodwill’s 15th annual Neighborhood Challenge registration will open in early 2027.