MOUNT VERNON — The efforts of a Cornell College alumnus who founded Goodwill Industries will be celebrated in a traveling exhibit making its only Iowa stop at Cornell’s Cole Library from Nov. 13 to 23.
“The 2002 Goodwill International Centennial Traveling Exhibit” uses narrative and photos to tell the story of Goodwill, a U.S. leader in promoting opportunities for people with disabilities and other barriers to independence. Goodwill founder Edgar Helms, a Methodist minister, was a member of the Cornell class of 1889.
Several dignitaries, including Dr. Charles Helms, professor at the Roy J. Carver and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa and grandson of Edgar Helms, will attend a reception from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at Cole Library. Special remarks will be at 4:30 p.m.
“It is fitting that Cornell College is the only Iowa site to host the display,” said John Watson, president of Goodwill Industries of Southeast Iowa. “Obviously, Edgar’s years at Cornell were formative for him and led him to a life of assisting others.”
Helms founded Goodwill in 1902 in Boston to help the poverty-stricken on the city’s south side. He collected used goods and clothing in wealthier areas of Boston, then trained poor people to mend, repair and sell the used goods. The idea of a “hand up, not a hand out” was born.
Today Goodwill is the world’s largest employer of individuals with disabilities.
Helms’ legacy of service to the community is alive at Cornell. Last year, 78 percent of Cornell students participated in service, volunteering more than 13,000 hours. Student service includes tutoring and mentoring schoolchildren, “adopting” highways and rivers to keep clean and organizing fund-raisers for many causes.
“Cornell’s dedication to community service is integral to our commitment to develop leaders,” said Cornell President Les Garner. “Leadership at its best is service. Cornell is proud to claim as an alumnus a leader like Edgar Helms, and we are delighted to host the Goodwill exhibit.”
In partnership with Goodwill, Cornell student volunteers recently have sorted and displayed donated goods at four area Goodwill stores. Students have performed winterizing chores and worked with donated goods as part of two Cornell courses, “Human Relations” and “Sociological Perspectives.” Cornell’s Phi Kappa Nu student social group volunteers on a regular basis with Goodwill.
Besides hosting the exhibit, Cornell is highlighting Helms’ achievement and the theme of good will during the school year through lectures by guest speakers, a program to recognize positive accomplishments and attitudes, and other events that communicate the values of citizenship, volunteerism and community.
The centennial exhibit is located on the third floor of Cole Library. Admission is free. Regular library hours during the exhibit (Nov. 13-23) are:
Nov. 13-14, 18-20: 8 a.m. to midnight.
Nov. 15: 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Nov. 16: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Nov. 17: noon to midnight
Nov. 21-22: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Nov. 23: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.