Vandals cause $150K in damage at Goodwill Outlet in Birmingham, donations needed [PHOTOS]

Goodwill
Damage to the Goodwill Outlet in Birmingham by vandals on January 17, 2024 (Alabama Goodwill)

A popular Goodwill Outlet in Birmingham on Green Springs Highway was vandalized late Wednesday evening, causing more than $150,000 in damage.

Vandals broke through walls using forklifts

Goodwill
Damage to the Goodwill Outlet in Birmingham by vandals on January 17, 2024 (Alabama Goodwill)

According to Goodwill, the vandals broke through the “donor door” where people drive through to drop-off donations. They went to the back of the building, to the outlet part of the store where items are sold by the pound. 

It was there, they drove Goodwill’s forklifts through walls and caused destruction throughout the building. It is hard to tell how long the intruders were in the building, but they were in there long enough to drive one of the forklifts until it ran out of gas.

Presently, the crime is under investigation by Birmingham Police.

Donations needed 

Opened in 1985, the Alabama Goodwill site on Green Springs is home not only to the outlet store but also houses the main office, career center and warehouse. It is the organization’s largest facility. 

“The senseless act has left the store in a state of disrepair, posing a significant setback to the start of 2024. We are reaching out to you, our fellow community members, to join and contribute towards the restoration of the Goodwill outlet. Your generous donations will help cover the costs of repairs, ensuring that the outlet continues its operations and continues making a positive impact on the lives of many. Whether it’s a monetary contribution or in-kind donations, every bit counts.”   

~ Kathy Taylor, Alabama Goodwill, VP for Marketing and Development

If you would like to make a monetary contribution, please visit: 

alabamagoodwill.org/donate, or contact Kathy Taylor at kathytaylor@alabamagoodwill.org for more details on how you can make a difference. 

Alabama Goodwill is accepting donations at all locations but if you’d like to donate directly to the vandalized outlet, the address is 2350 Green Springs Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35205. For a full list of locations, visit https://www.alabamagoodwill.org/locations.

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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