Goodwill donates car to deserving employee in Lexington

LEXINGTON, TN (WNBJ) - A deserving Goodwill employee received a big donation in Lexington this morning.

Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee gave away a Toyota Prius to Danyika Gilbert. The car will give her the opportunity to excel in her career.

“Excited, nervous, I have never had anything like this happen,” said Danyika Gilbert, a Shift Leader with the Goodwill Store.

Gilbert was a part of the Wheels-to-Work Program to help employees who need reliable transportation to get to work.

“So, our mission at Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee is changing lives through education, training, and employment. With Danyika she has been the beneficiary of all that. She got a job here at Goodwill and that was a way for her to earn a paycheck. She has continued to grow with the organization,” said Lisa Wamsley, the VP of Donated Goods with Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee Inc.

Another Goodwill employee who has received a car from the Wheels-to-Work Program in the past says Gilbert is the perfect recipient.

“Because of her dependability and what she brings to the table for the store. Always being on time, always helping in different departments if needed,” said Christine McCrury, a Career Coach with Goodwill Career Solutions.

Gilbert says the car will allow her to travel to other Goodwill Stores and learn from other locations.

“I’ve been wanting to go to other stores. I like moving around, seeing different things, and seeing how things run. It gives you a better idea of how you want to run things when it is your turn,” said Gilbert.

Gilbert says she hopes to become a store manager with Goodwill one day.

If you want more information about Goodwill Career Solutions, retail stores, and donation centers, please visit the Goodwill website.