Goodwill of Orange County's Annual Golf Invitational Set for June 20

SANTA ANA, CA--(Marketwired - Jun 11, 2014) - Goodwill of Orange County, a social-enterprise organization that helps people facing barriers secure purpose-filling jobs, will host its annual Goodwill Invitational golf tournament on June 20 at the renowned Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point, Calif.

The Goodwill Invitational, sponsored in part by long-time Goodwill proponent U.S. Bank, provides the community with an exclusive networking opportunity and the chance to contribute to critical programs designed to support those facing barriers to employment and independence. Last year, Goodwill of Orange County raised more than $125,000 at the tournament.

The proceeds from the event will directly support three of Goodwill's programs -- Enduring Independence, a veteran's advocacy program that helps young veterans find employment and transition into civilian life; The Goodwill Fitness Center, Orange County's only completely accessible fitness center designed specifically for people living with physical disabilities or chronic illness; and Goodwill's Assistive Technology Exchange Center (ATEC), a program that helps children and adults living with disabilities reach maximum potential via specialized services and equipment. The invitational will include a special guest appearance by General George W. Casey Jr., a retired United States Army General, former head of the Iraq Multinational Force and former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army from 2007 to 2011.

"The Goodwill Invitational is a great tradition," says Frank Talarico, Jr., president and CEO of Goodwill of Orange County. "We are thrilled to bring together Orange County leaders to raise funds for our programs -- all of which serve to help members of our community pave their path toward independence."

The Goodwill Golf Invitational is just one of several events that will be held this year celebrating Goodwill of Orange County's 90^th anniversary. The organization will host its inaugural Goodwill Gala on November 15 at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott in Dana Point, Calif. to mark the milestone. For more information on the gala, please visit ocgoodwill.org/gala or call 714.547.6308 ext. 202.

For more information about the Goodwill Invitational, please contact Goodwill of Orange County at 714.547.6308 x 352 or email golf@ocgoodwill.org.

About Goodwill of Orange County: Since 1924, Goodwill of Orange County has been in the business of helping people who are facing barriers to entering the workforce in a meaningful, fulfilling manner. Founded on the belief that every person should have the opportunity to achieve the independence that work provides, Goodwill is most recognized for being the conduit where donated goods are sold in America's favorite thrift stores to generate the revenue that provides the services to those who face employment challenges. Celebrating its 90^th year in 2014, Goodwill of Orange County has supported hundreds of thousands of Orange County residents since its inception by creating and providing quality training and employment services to empower its program participants to be productive and independent. The nonprofit organization has dozens of programs that support this effort, including the Goodwill Fitness Center, Orange County's only facility specially designed for people suffering from chronic illnesses and physical disabilities; its veterans' advocacy program, Enduring Independence, which helps veterans and their families transition to civilian life through the power of work; and its Assistive Technology Exchange Center (ATEC), which provides access to more than 1,000 state-of-the-art technology devices for children and adults with disabilities. These are just a few of Goodwill of Orange County's innovative programs that have served those facing barriers in Orange County for the past nine decades. In 2012, Goodwill was named one of Orange County's Most Trusted Brands. To learn more about Goodwill of Orange County, visit ocgoodwill.org.