When Tonya Dodson came to Goodwill more than two years ago she had been homeless and desperately searching for a job so she could put a roof over her head. And, most importantly, to add stability to her life for the sake of her son, Memphis.
A devastating car wreck left Dodson unable to work in her career as a hairdresser. After she recovered from her injuries Dodson went looking for a new start. A glance at the Career Solutions sign in Cookeville, Tenn., was the beginning of a new chapter in her life. Career counselor Jane Byers boosted Dodson's confidence and helped her through the training process within Goodwill. It wasn't much longer before Dodson was hired at the store and soon became the head cashier.
The new job, the new start, the life that she's built thanks to Goodwill, and the opportunities she's seized, are just some of the reasons Goodwill introduces all of middle and west Tennessee to Tonya Dodson and her son, Memphis, in Goodwill's award-winning, What You Give Me commercial campaign. It's a story that has also been featured in the Herald-Citizen newspaper in Cookeville.
Dodson's commercial, along with an ad about Robert Guerard, who works in the Nashville processing plant, a third spot featuring many Goodwill employees explaining how donations have helped them and their families, and a fourth ad featuring Guerard singing an original song, are airing on Nashville, Jackson and other area television stations.













