The Latest News from OVGI

Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries is pleased to announce that it has opened a new Attended Donation Center located at 4691 Alexandria Pike in Cold Spring, Kentucky. Hours of operation will be Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm and Sunday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.  For the convenience of donors, the drive-thru center will be staffed with an attendant who will assist contributors with their donations and offer them a receipt.

Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries is always in need of clean, usable clothing, household items including small electric appliances and kitchen items, seasonal items, sporting goods, shoes, furniture, computers and even auto donations! For customer convenience, Ohio Valley Goodwill handles all the paperwork to make vehicle donations as simple and easy as possible.

In addition to accepting household donations at the new Cold Spring donation center,  Ohio Valley Goodwill is now accepting computers as a part of its involvement in the Dell Reconnect recycling project. The Dell and Goodwill partnership was formed because Goodwill has a long-standing reputation as an entrepreneurial leader, environmental pioneer and social innovator of the “reduce, reuse, repurpose” movement.  The Goodwill/Dell Reconnect partnership offers FREE computer recycling at all Greater Cincinnati retail and donation locations and will help to raise awareness about the importance of responsibly recycling used computers.  The Dell Reconnect program is a win-win for everyone.  It benefits the environment, the community and the individuals that Goodwill serves.

“We are so pleased that Goodwill is able to offer this new convenient donation site for our customers in Northern Kentucky and we appreciate their generous support of our very important mission,” said Gail Hana, Goodwill’s Vice President for Contributed Goods.
Donations to Ohio Valley Goodwill are sold in local stores and the income generated helps to support services for men and women with disabilities and our nation’s veterans.  Each year, the organization serves over 2,600 individuals.

Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to have Metro visit the facility and bring along their newly designed Access buses that will be put into service on February 1st.  Access is changing its logo and design to make their vehicles look more like the Metro family.  As Access replaces old buses in the future, more new Access vehicles will be replaced with the new look.  Until all current Access vehicles are replaced in coming years, Access buses will have two different designs: the one with the red/blue logo and the one with the blue/green logo.

“It was exciting to have Metro bring out the new Access buses so that our consumers who ride the vans could see first-hand the new changes and design that will soon be implemented,” said Leslie McCurley, Goodwill’s Assistant Director of Rehabilitation.  Access will be offering the same service - just a new look so riders can still expect the same service from the Metro family.  Three new vehicles will be put in service beginning on February 1st.  Ohio Valley Goodwill appreciates the continuing service that it receives from Metro and Access.

Cincinnati, OH ·· January 26, 2012 ·· Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries is asking the community to assist with donations for their Beechmont retail store location following an early morning fire and vandalism which occurred on Thursday, January 26, 2012.  The retail store which is located at 4051 Commercial Drive was seriously damaged by a break in and fire.  Much of the contents were damaged by smoke and water and the organization is asking donors to assist by offering donations of clothing and household goods.  “The sale of donated items helps to provide the income that we need to make programs and services available to the hundreds of men and women with disabilities that we serve each year,” said Joe Byrum, Goodwill’s President and CEO. 

In typical Goodwill fashion, its retail management team is determined to get the Beechmont retail store re-opened as quickly as possible which may be as soon as early February and is still currently accepting donations at its drive-thru donation center.

Customers should call the store at (513) 752-0067 to make certain that the retail location is open for business prior to coming.  A large percentage of the inventory was destroyed so the organization is requesting that donors assist in making contributions in the coming days to restore the store to its normal capacity.

“Ohio Valley Goodwill is so grateful to the residents of Greater Cincinnati for their generosity and willingness to assist the organization with its very important mission to serve people with disabilities,” said Joe Byrum.  “Donations are so very important to our organization and especially at this time.”

Donations to Goodwill are sold in local stores. The revenues generated then fund job training programs and support services that help people with workplace challenges and disabilities to achieve and maintain economic independence and an increased quality of life. Locally, Ohio Valley serves more than 2600 individuals annually including people with disabilities and our nation’s veterans.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is excited to announce that plans for the 2012 Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing are well underway and this year’s event will be even more exciting than last year’s gala 95th Anniversary Celebration! Being held at the beautiful Glenview Golf Club on Thursday, June 14th, the 2012 outing will feature a brand new title sponsor, Hubbard Interactive, a new grill station lunch sponsor, Village Pantry Catering as well as large cash prize for the spectactular helicopter ball drop which will take place at the end of play. The best part is that all of Goodwill’s friends have an opportunity to support this year’s outing just by purchasing a golf ball for only $5.00! You can purchase as many golf balls as you like for your chance to win a $2000 grand prize! You can buy your golf ball on-line by clicking here or to get your reservation in early for this year’s outing.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is grateful to our 2012 Title Sponsor, Hubbard Interactive , Lunch Sponsor, Village Pantry Catering, Dinner Sponsor, Lother’s Catering, Beverage Sponsor, Palmer Leasing, Cart Sponsor, Rumpke, Signage Sponsor, Holthaus Signs and Graphic Design Sponsor, Wilz Design for their support of this year’s Golf Outing. While sponsorship opportunities are going quickly, there are a number of sponsorship options still available for this year’s event. Click here for a list of sponsorships available and accompanying recognition opportunties. Honorary Chairman, Joe Walter, will once again be reprising his role as host for this year’s event. Proceeds from the 2012 Golf Outing will benefit Ohio Valley Goodwill and the thousands of individuals with disabilities the organization serves.

Join Ohio Valley Goodwill in looking forward to warmer temperatures and summertime celebrations with our many friends during the occasion of the 2012 Golf Outing. Remember to support Goodwill by purchasing your $5.00 golf ball TODAY and your chance to win a $2000 cash prize during our spectacular Helicopter Ball Drop! Register on-line today to reserve your spot for this year’s event. You can also purchase your golf ball chance to win at any of our 16 Goodwill store locations until June 14th. For more information about the 2012 Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing, contact Sharon Hannon, Marketing Specialist, at shannon@cincigoodwill.org or (513) 771-4800, ext. 6364.

See you at Glenview on Thursday, June 14th! Watch for video updates about the 2012 Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing in the coming weeks!

L to R, Joseph S. Byrum, President & CEO, Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries, Dustin S. Klein, President & Executive Editor, Smart Business, Dennis Barron, Board Member, Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries management team was elated to watch President and CEO, Joseph Byrum, being recognized as one of the “Nonprofit Executive Directors of the Year” at the 2012 Pillar Awards for Community Service on Wednesday, January 18th. The Medical Mutual Pillar Award for Community Service, presented by Smart Business, honors businesses of all types and sizes that make outstanding contributions to their community. Its purpose is to encourage a charitable environment, recognize creative efforts that make a difference and demonstrate the ties between the for-profit and nonprofit worlds.

“On behalf of Ohio Valley Goodwill and the thousands of individuals we serve each year, I want to thank you for this important recognition of community service and its impact on our society,” said Joe Byrum, President and CEO, during his acceptance speech. The prestigious 2012 Pillar Awards were held at the Duke Energy Convention Center this year and welcomed more than 400 business elite to the gala event. This is the first year that Ohio Valley Goodwill and its CEO were singled out for the Community Service award and were gratified to have the opportunity to spread the message of Goodwill to the assembled guests.

Under Byrum’s leadership over the past 35 years, the organization has grown to become the vital employment and training center that it is today, boasting more than 6 satellite locations in 4 different counties. Goodwill’s economic impact in the local community is more than $64 million annually, making it an important business partner in the Southwest Ohio region.

“I am delighted that Ohio Valley Goodwill is receiving the recognition for its contributions to community service that it richly deserves. It is especially poignant that the organization has been performing this mission of service for more than 95 years now,” said Byrum.

Ohio Valley Goodwill commends Medical Mutual and Smart Business on their commitment to showcase the importance of Community Service in the Greater Cincinnati area.

It’s a brand new year and a wonderful time to work on your resolution to de-clutter and simplify your life. With 28 and soon-to-be 29 conveniently located donation centers throughout the Tri-state area, Ohio Valley Goodwill is ready to help. The organization is opening its 29th attended donation site in Cold Spring, Kentucky on Wednesday, January 18th and  the new center will accept donations of gently worn clothing, household items, sporting goods, shoes, furniture, outdated computers and even vehicles, just as Goodwill’s other locations do.

The New Year is a perfect time for people to rid their closets and homes of unwanted items and put them to good use by donating them. “When you donate the items you no longer need to Goodwill, you are helping someone find a job, strengthening your community and perserving the planet,” said Joe Byrum, President and CEO of Ohio Valley Goodwill. “Your donations also help the environment by allowing other people to repurpose the items so that they can be diverted from landfills.”

In addition, Goodwill makes it easy for people to make room for that new computer or new electronic toy they received during the holidays. Through its new partnership with the Dell Reconnect program, Ohio Valley Goodwill is now able to accept outdated computers and unwanted electronic equipment at all 28 of its stores and attended donation sites.

So, this year, follow through on your resolution to simplify and de-clutter your life by donating to Goodwill. Donations are sold through our network of 16 stores in the Greater Cincinnati area and the income generated helps to support services for men and women with disabilities and our nation’s veterans. Each year, the organization serves more than 2600 individuals.

For a list of Ohio Valley Goodwill’s conveniently located donation sites throughout the Greater Cincinnati area, please visit www.cincinnatigoodwill.org/donate. Join Goodwill this year in our commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible recycling…you’ll be helping the planet and making your own life easier!

In a fitting start to a New Year, Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to receive a very positive testimonial from a satisfied donor regarding its new Dell Reconnect partnership. During the holidays, donor Keith Sutter was visiting Cincinnati and while here decided to clean out his closet and donate his unwanted electronic equipment. Following his computer donation experience at Goodwill, Keith was kind enough to post his own blog about what he learned about the Dell Reconnect partnership. In part, Keith indicated that the Goodwill drop off location was “extremely convenient” and that “after taking our donations and providing a receipt, we were in and out in less than 5 minutes and all for free.” He also noted some other very positive attributes about Goodwill which makes it a wonderful partner in the Dell Reconnect computer recycling effort.

• Goodwill has the infrastructure to handle direct consumer collections, refurbishment and resale,
• Goodwill has a large footprint with more than 2600 locations nationwide, while Dell is largely an on-line retailer, and
• The Reconnect program has created a significant impact by recycling more than 230 million pounds of end-of-life computer equipment since its inception in 2004.

To view Keith’s original blog post, please click here http://www.greenaroundtheglobe.com/2012/01/02/partner-enabled-recycling-programs.  

Ohio Valley Goodwill announced its new partnership with the Dell Reconnect program on December 14th and is one of the newest of the Dell Reconnect partners in the environmental recycling effort. The Dell and Goodwill partnership was formed because Goodwill has a long-standing reputation as an entrepreneurial leader, environmental pioneer and social innovator of the “reduce, reuse, repurpose” movement. The Goodwill/Dell Reconnect partnership offers donors FREE computer recycling at all Greater Cincinnati retail and donation locations and will help to raise awareness about the importance of responsibly recycling used computers. The Dell Reconnect program is a win-win for everyone. It benefits the environment, the community and the individuals that Goodwill serves.

For a list of Goodwill donation locations, please visit www.cincinnatigoodwill.org/donate. Ohio Valley Goodwill thanks Keith for his commitment to responsible recycling and for sharing his computer donation experience.

Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Consumer Advisory Committee celebrated the success of its annual food drive during an end-of-the-year pizza party held on Friday, December 30th. The long-standing Consumer Advisory Committee, CAC, is a self-advocacy group composed of more than 20 members of the organization’s Work Adjustment and CARE program participants. The Holiday Food Drive is now a yearly event that this year resulted in 2113 items being collected and donated to the Free Store Food Bank. The Consumer Advisory Committee, CAC,  held the drive from December 7th, 2011 through December 21st, 2011 and then, celebrated their mutual efforts by enjoying pizza together at the end-of-the-year celebration event.

Goodwill’s Consumer Advisory Committee was formed in 1993 and serves as a vehicle for individuals that participate in the organization’s programs to learn how to speak up for themselves and others as well as an opportunity to provide community outreach. The annual Food Drive is one of many activities that the group has chosen to undertake over the years. Other examples include fund-raising on behalf of Haiti, contributing to the levy campaign for Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services and the Valentine’s Day flower sale to benefit Ronald McDonald House.

CAC advisor, Summer McGriff, said that the pizza party celebration is not only an opportunity to recognize the group’s efforts but to celebrate the true spirit of giving back during the holiday season.

Ohio Valley Goodwill congratulates the Consumer Advisory Committee on their community commitment and the success of the 2011 Holiday Food Drive.

The last week in December is always one of the busiest times of the year for Ohio Valley Goodwill. Greater Cincinnati residents are hurriedly cleaning out their closets following the Christmas holiday in order to get their donations in before the end of the year. December 31st is the last day that donors can claim donations on their 2011 tax returns.

WCPO reporter John Matarese recently featured a story on his “Don’t Waste Your Money” segment that talked about the importance of donating wisely to legitimate charities at this time of year and Goodwill’s corporate headquarters served as the backdrop for the compelling story. Please take a moment to view the story on our www.facebook.com/cincigoodwill page.

During this busy year-end holiday time, Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries wishes to thank all of its many donors and to remind those that willl be donating during this final week of the year that contributions of household goods are very important to the organization. Goodwill President and CEO, Joe Byrum noted that “taking the extra time to ensure your donation goes to the right cause can make a difference to families in our community.”

Donations to Ohio Valley Goodwill are sold through its network of 16 stores and boutiques in the Greater Cincinnati area. The revenues generated then fund job training programs and support services that help people with workplace challenges and disabilities to achieve and maintain economic independence and an increased quality of life. By giving to Goodwill, donors are playing a vital role in helping people go to work. Locally, Ohio Valley Goodwill serves more than 2600 annually including people with disabilities and our nation’s veterans.

Thank you Greater Cincinnati for your on-going support of Goodwill’s important mission of service to the community. Our thanks to WCPO and John Matarese for his end of the year donation story. For a list of our 28 conveniently located donation sites, please visit www.cincinnatigoodwill.org/donate.

Ohio Valley Goodwill celebrated its official 95th Anniversary with a gala holiday luncheon on Friday, December 16th.  Sponsored by the organization’s Board of Directors, the annual event provides an opportunity for Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Board of Directors, Volunteer Service Guild , Executive team, referral partners, legislative and special guests to come together to celebrate the achievements of the past year in a relaxed, festive atmosphere. This year’s luncheon welcomed almost 200 friends and supporters of the organization and marked the official recognition of Goodwill’s 95 years of service in the community. The featured keynote speaker at this year’s event was Goodwill Industries International (GII) President and CEO Jim Gibbons, who spoke eloquently about Goodwill’s mission of service in the community.

The 95th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon was highlighted by special presentations of recognition to Goodwill by representatives from the United States Senate, the Ohio House of Representatives and the Hamilton County Commissioners office. Senator Sherrod Brown’s SW Divisional Liaison Brooke Hill presented Ohio Valley Goodwill President and CEO, Joe Byrum, with a proclamation from the Senate in celebration of the organization’s service over the past 95 years. Newly-elected Hamilton County Commissioner Chris Monzel followed Ms. Hill by presenting a certificate of recognition from the Commissioner’s office as well as proclaiming December 16th as “Ohio Valley Goodwill Day” in Cincinnati.

Topping off the official recognition part of the program was State Representative Connie Pillich from the 28th District, where the organization’s corporate headquarters are located. The Representative presented Goodwill President and CEO, Joe Byrum, with an official commendation from the Ohio House of Representatives and congratulated the organization on its service to the Greater Cincinnati community over the past 95 years.

In addition to the many tributes received from its honored guests, the organization was pleased to recognize the tenure of two of its long-time employees, Kim Masters and Arthur Johnson, both 20 year employees of Goodwill. In addition, three employees were singled out for recognition that have provided more than 35 years of service; Doug Ostholthoff, CFO, Anna Gabbard, IT, and Nancy Wooley, Rehabilitation Services. Following the tenure recognition, Volunteer Service Guild President, Nancy Horton, presented Goodwill President and CEO, Joe Byrum with a check for the funds raised by the Guild over the past year.

Following the Guild presentation of the $20,000 gift, Ohio Valley Goodwill President and CEO, Joe Byrum invited the esteemed keynote speaker for the 95th Anniversary Celebration event to the stage; Mr. Jim Gibbons, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International (GII). Mr. Gibbons remarks regarding the importance and relevance of the Goodwill mission in the community inspired the fascinated group of attendees. He spoke movingly about his own life experience as a person seeking employment with a visual disability and how his own experiences professionally over time, have influenced his unflagging commitment to Goodwill’s mission of helping people to experience personal success in their own lives. He encouraged the audience to think differently in the future regardless of their role in terms of helping people to have increased opportunities to become valued members of the community.

“Ohio Valley Goodwill is honored and very pleased that Mr. Jim Gibbons and so many of our close friends and partners were able to join us today to celebrate 95 years of service in the Greater Cincinnati community. We feel that the personal success of the thousands of men and women we serve every year are the true indicators of Goodwill’s mission in action,” said Joe Byrum, President and CEO.

The 95th Anniversary Celebration was capped off by a reflective video presentation produced by Goodwill Public Information Officer, Michael Flannery, which captured the Goodwill story over the past 95 years.

Ohio Valley Goodwill wishes all of you a very happy holiday season and peace and prosperity in the New Year!