
DATE: Friday, May 9, 1997                   TAG: 9705080177
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 06   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: COVER STORY 

SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   82 lines

WORKING TO HELP PEOPLE WORK GOODWILL OFFERS THE TRAINING AND SUPPORT THAT TRANSLATES INTO A PAYCHECK FOR THE DISABLED AND DISADVANTAGED.

CHARLIE HOFFMAN IS the walking history book of Goodwill Industries of Hampton Roads.

Two and a half years after graduating from Booker T. Washington High School, Hoffman started his career at the Norfolk location, where he stayed for seven years. Eight years ago, he helped open the Woodtide location on Princess Anne Road where he still works today.

He can remember the names of every person he's worked for, and he spits out dates and addresses with the speed and accuracy of a computer.

Above all else, Hoffman is responsible for forming the infamous ``Charlie's Angels,'' the group of women he works with.

``You mess with one of them, you mess with the whole team,'' said Hoffman, an energetic ball of fire with a mustache, big green eyes and even bigger smile.

This year is a special one for Hoffman, a Norfolk native, as it marks his 15th anniversary at Goodwill.

``It's been a long time,'' said Hoffman, 36. ``I got so many stories.''

Hoffman, who is developmentally disabled, is just one shining example of the mission of the organization: To provide job training and employment services to people who are disabled or disadvantaged.

What Hoffman does varies from day to day. His main job is taking care of donations - picking up bags of clothes and other items from the on-site Attended Donation Center, loading them in blue plastic push carts and emptying them in the warehouse-like back room of the store.

But this regular handyman will do just about anything, from straightening racks to dumping garbage.

``You might call me the gopher of this place,'' he said proudly.

Five days a week - Tuesday through Saturday, Hoffman catches the bus - a trip that takes an hour and a half one way - to and from work.

``I like it all basically,'' he said. ``It's fun for me. It's enjoyable for me.''

Hoffman's job is equally as satisfying for his co-workers.

``He's a lot of fun, a very good man,'' said Woodtide manager Lori Byrum. ``He belongs here. We care for him, and he cares for us. It works out.

``He's a permanent fixture. I don't know what we'd do without him.''

Among the things the staff has done for Hoffman over the years include buying him a horn for his bike, giving him Christmas gifts and most recently, purchasing him a coffee pot, since he makes coffee for the staff every day.

And at the annual Christmas party, Hoffman's co-workers won't sit down to eat until he reads ``The Night Before Christmas,'' a tradition he started.

``I'm what you call a popular fellow,'' Hoffman said.

Although he has worked in the past as a paper carrier, landscaper and parking lot attendant, Hoffman said Goodwill is where he plans to stay.

``I'm trying to beat the sisters' record,'' he said, referring to sisters Louise Hood and Mae Billups, combined, have 70 years experience.

``As long as I can hold up,'' Hoffman added, ``and as long as I got good health, I'll be here.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos including color cover by CHARLIE MEADS

Charlie Hoffman tosses a bag of clothes into a back room of the

Goodwill Thrift Store at Woodtide Shopping Center.

Hoffman enjoys doing just about anything for Goodwill, including

straightening racks of clothing.

Graphic

ABOUT GOODWILL

``Goodwill Industries Week'' runs through Sunday.

The week-long national celebration is designed to bring attention

to the contributions the nonprofit organization makes within the 187

communities it serves throughout the country.

With headquarters in Norfolk, the local agency operates retail

stores, attended donation centers, training and rehabilitation