Associate Recognition Event

Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Sunday, May 4, 2025

All Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia and Goodwill Services, Inc. associates are invited to attend an Associate Recognition Event on Sunday, May 4th at beautiful Busch Gardens Williamsburg! 

Below are important details to know.  Please note that this page will be updated as additional information is available (parking, transportation, etc.) so please bookmark this page and be on the lookout for emails from changinglives@goodwillvirginia.org!

Event Details:

Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025
Time: 8:30am – 10:00am, with park access from 10:00am thru park close
Location: Busch Gardens Williamsburg, event held in Das Festhaus

What to Expect:

  • Hot breakfast will be served, including eggs, breakfast meats, pastries and more, along with coffee, juices and tea.
  • Associates will have time to catch up with one another (and meet associates from different places!)
  • Raffle prizes and drawings with GREAT prizes that can be used in the park that day!
  • Ned Helms, grandson of Goodwill’s founder Rev. Edgar J. Helms, will provide remarks along with Mark A. Barth, President & CEO and Leslie Taylor, Goodwill Board Chair.

How to Attend:

The RSVP window has now closed.  

If you have questions or concerns about your reservation, please email changinglives@goodwillvirginia.org.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I have to pay to attend the event?
No, Goodwill associates who RSVP’d for the event will receive free admission to the event AND the theme park for the day!

Can I bring my family to the event?
Goodwill associates who RSVP’d for the event and listed friends family members on their registration will be able to bring family members to the event. 

  • All family members MUST be listed on your RSVP to attend the event.
  • Due to space limitations, we are limited to 5 additional family members per associate.  
  • All family members must have paid admission to Busch Gardens Williamsburg to be able to access the park.

Will free Plus One tickets be available this year?
As of Tuesday, April 15, there are a VERY LIMITED number of Plus One tickets available to associates who RSVP’d by the April 11th deadline.  

  • If you already indicated on your RSVP that you were bringing a guest, no action is needed.
  • If you did NOT indicate you were bringing a guest, but would like to add ONE ADDITIONAL GUEST to your RSVP, please email changinglives@goodwillvirginia.org.
    • Due to space limitations, we can only allow one guest per associate (who did not previously indicate they were bringing a guest).
    • Guests MUST be included on your RSVP to be admitted to the morning event/breakfast.

Will food be provided during the event?
Yes, a full hot breakfast including eggs, breakfast meats, pastries and more along with coffee, juice and tea will be available from 8:30am to 9:30am for associates and their friends and family who RSVP’d.

Will transportation be provided to the event?
A limited number of bus seats will be available leaving from 6301 and 5457 the morning of the event.  The window to sign up for these transportation options has closed.  

Associates who signed up to ride GCCVA provided transportation will receive a separate communication with additional details soon. 

Will parking be provided at the event?
Yes, parking will be available in the England lot to all associates who have registered for the event.  Additional parking details will be provided in late April.

Will t-shirts be provided to wear to the event?
Yes!  All associates – even those unable to attend the event – will receive an event t-shirt in late April.

Will associates at NIWC Charleston have an event this year?
Yes!  The Events Team is organizing a separate event for our NIWC Charleston team.

Have a question that’s not answered above?  Please email changinglives@goodwillvirginia.org.