Covenant News

Arv Anderson Honored by Goodwill Industries

GAINES TOWNSHIP, MI (July 14, 2005) - Arv Anderson, former chairperson of the Great Lakes Conference board and member of First Covenant Church in Grand Rapids, recently received international recognition for his work with youth service at Goodwill Industries.

Goodwill Industries International presented Anderson with the Edgar J. Helms Award, named after the founder of Goodwill. The award is given to one staff member each year. This year's award was presented at Goodwill's annual meeting on June 28.

Anderson was honored because of his "passion for young people and helping them reach their full potential," says George W. Kessinger, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.

In his nomination letter, Philip Weaver, president of Goodwill in Grand Rapids, wrote, "Like Goodwill founder, Edgar Helms, Arv helps people with barriers to see their options and potential, and to see the secret of the 'power of work' as the pride of achievement. Arv believes that every person, regardless of disability, is employable as long as we build on their strengths and are willing to assist them in removing any obstacles they face."

Goodwill was started 1902 by Helms, a Methodist minister in Boston. According to Goodwill.org, Helms "collected used household goods and clothing in wealthier areas of the city, then trained and hired the poor and immigrants to mend and repair the used goods. The goods were then resold or were given to the people who repaired them. The system worked, and the Goodwill philosophy of 'a hand up, not a hand out' was born."

Goodwill now has 207 agencies working in 24 countries.

Anderson, a 1961 graduate of North Park College (now University), retires this week from Goodwill after serving for more than 10 years. He previously was a counselor, teacher, and coach at Kentwood Public Schools for 33 years. He joined Goodwill after taking early retirement from the school system.

"I was just looking for work," he says. "Something to do."

Anderson is known for his humility and says he always has been guided by his desire to reach lost people for God by "giving a cup of water," he says, "It splashes back on you when you help someone."

Under Anderson's direction, youth services have tripled at the Grand Rapids Goodwill, says Weaver. He attributes the growth to Anderson's ability to network, vision and passion to help young people.

At its Annual Meeting, the Great Lakes Conference recently presented him with the first annual Arv Anderson Award in Church Planting. Attendees gave him two standing ovations for his lifetime of service.

Diagnosed several years ago with pulmonary fibrosis, a terminal lung disease, Anderson accepted the Great Lakes Conference award holding his portable oxygen canister at his side. Still, his acceptance speech was filled with humor. He began by saying, "Oxygen has been very good to me," and went on to tell of how friendships and ministries within the conference have been oxygen to his life.

The Michigan Transition Services Association (MTSA) also honored Anderson at the Goodwill Meeting. He received the C. David Anderson Award, which is given to one person in the state who has helped young people reach their full potential. The MTSA is an organization whose membership includes persons involved with students as they transition from school to post-school life activities. Its membership is made up of community partners - school professionals, paraprofessionals, parents or guardians, agency representatives, and business leaders.

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