Veterans find support at Goodwill NCW

Tad’s Veteran of the Year video: 2026 Veteran of the Year Tad

Veterans find support at Goodwill NCW

Veteran of the Year Award goes to Tomah team member

WISCONSIN – On November 11, Americans will recognize Veterans Day and the men and women who have served our country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2025, more than 17 million men and women in the United States are veterans. Unfortunately, the unemployment rate for all veterans increased to 3.5 percent, highlighting the critical need for coordinated job services for this population to support their re-integration into everyday life.

“Supporting veterans is something Goodwill has done for generations,” Chris Hess, president and CEO of Goodwill NCW, said. “Finding a job, learning new skills and transitioning back into civilian life can bring new challenges. Goodwill NCW is proud to stand alongside veterans as they take those next steps.”

In 2024 and 2025, Goodwill NCW was formally recognized as one of the 25 employers statewide with the distinction of being a Vets Ready Employer by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. This annual award recognizes Wisconsin employers that prioritize veteran hires, connect and support the veteran community and offer veteran support services to team members to help military personnel transition to the civilian workforce. One such veteran is Tad Pufall, who is the winner of Goodwill NCW’s Edgar J. Helms Veteran of the Year award for 2025.

After serving in the U.S. Army, Tad struggled to find structure in civilian life. In 2022, a major health setback left him hospitalized, and his money, laptop and other belongings were stolen. Isolated, he found it hard to trust anyone. Then came the turning point. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs partnered with the Tomah Goodwill store on a paid 12-week training program. Tad shared his goals with Goodwill NCW: building skills, obtaining a job again and regaining his financial independence. With support from Goodwill NCW, he grew confident in his work tasks and with customer interactions and was offered a permanent position, which he accepted. Today, Tad has a home, travels and enjoys pastimes, like singing karaoke in downtown Tomah.

Tad says, “Goodwill changed my life because they helped me get a training program and paid my rent when I was basically homeless.”

Another way Goodwill NCW is supporting veterans is through their donation pick-up partnership with ReSupply, which is founded and led by veterans who have transitioned from military careers to continue serving their communities in a new way. In addition, Goodwill NCW stores continue to offer a 10% military discount every Wednesday to active members of the military, veterans, police, firefighters and EMS.

Join Goodwill NCW this Veterans Day, in recognizing the service and sacrifice of those who have served our country.

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About Goodwill North Central Wisconsin (Goodwill NCW) 
 

Goodwill North Central Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization with a mission of Elevating People by Eliminating Barriers to Employment. We provide pathways to those who are underserved and who have a goal of building job skills that lead to sustained employment and improved financial stability. We see people for who they are and believe in the power of work, within our retail stores and workplaces throughout our community. We are proud of the life-changing impact we make in our communities and to our planet with the help of our donors and shoppers.  Learn more at goodwillncw.org