Sneak Peek: Edmonds Goodwill Getting Ready for Grand Opening on Dec. 1

Workers in , the 21st in Puget Sound, are now busy stocking shelves in advance of the grand opening Dec. 1 at 9 a.m.

The store in Edmonds will employ between 45 and 50 people, said Betsy McFeely, director of public relations. The store manager is Joann Conrad, who previously managed the Goodwill store in Lynnwood on 198th Street SW.

On Dec. 1, the 16,700-square-foot store will have giveways for shoppers and free drawings throughout that day and the weekend.

The nonprofit relies on public donations, with net proceeds supporting free job training and education programs for low-income or disadvantaged people.

In the fiscal year covering 2009 and 2010, Goodwill received more than 74 million pounds of donations, while 2,850 individuals, businesses and foundations contributed near $820,000. The 20 stores raised more than $9.7 million.

Goodwill also saw 780 people voluteer nearly 58,000 hours of their time.

For more information, go to the Seattle Goodwill Web site, which oversees operation in Puget Sound.