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In 1947 the United States was just two years out of World War II, the Cold War was in its infancy and the Easter Seal-Goodwill program was beginning to help children with crippling injuries and illnesses. Today, Goodwill is a multi-million dollar program that has gone far beyond that original goal.

The nation's newest Goodwill store will open this April in Bozeman. The store will occupy 17,000 square feet of space at the corner of Baxter Lane and Simmental Way.
Store manager Kim Thorsteinson says they are now taking donations as work continues towards the spring grand opening.

Goodwill serves as a discount retail outlet, but i's main purpose goes far beyond. Many people will be working at the store, some of whom will not be otherwise able to find a job. That has been a goal of Goodwill from its beginnings 65 years ago.

Thorsteinson says that the Rocky Mountain region of Goodwill, which includes Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah took in nearly 178,000 donated items in 2010. Goodwill also provided service to almost 1,800 people in the region that same year.

Goodwill of Bozeman will open first part of April, and donations can be made daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.