Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

Ohio Valley Goodwill is delighted to announce that plans are underway for its 2009 Goodwill Golf Outing, which this year features a New Title Sponsor, the Dwyer Companies. Goodwill’s long-time partner, MVD Communications, will be the Presenting Sponsor for this year’s event.The 2009 outing will feature new games, exciting prizes and lots of celebrity guests. Thanks to the generous support of our players and sponsors, this annual event is sold out every year… so plan to register early to reserve your spot. You can register on-line at www.cincinnatigoodwill.org, 2009 Goodwill Golf Outing or ask to have a brochure emailed to you. Ohio Valley Goodwill Welcomes our new Title Sponsor, the Dwyer Companies, and thanks MVD Communications for their continued support. We are especially grateful to our Celebrity Chairman Joe Walter for his outstanding contributions over the past 9 years.

 Please plan to join us on Thursday, June 18^th for the 2009 Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing. Mark your calendars today! If you are interested in contributing to our silent auction and/or volunteering to help out with this year’s event, please email Sharon Hannon, Event Coordinator, at shannon@cincigoodwill.org. Thanks so much! See you in June! 

In the spirit of Spring and renewal, Goodwill is delighted to announce the Grand Re-Opening of its Cheviot store location. The morning of Monday, February 23rd, heralded the unveiling of the newly re-designed retail site. The celebration was kicked off by a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring luminaries like Joe Walter and Cheviot Safety Service Director, Steve Neal.

 The newly updated store features hardwood floors throughout, brand new displays, and is overflowing with Spring merchandise. More than a 100 eager shoppers braved frigid early morning temperatures to be the first to experience the brand new shopping environment. The Re-Opening celebration continues through the month of March with Goodwill’s friendly retail team proudly showing off the many exciting new treasures in stock.

 “We have Easter baskets, bunnies, and hats… Spring shoes, purses, and jewelry…  dishes, art, and just about anything you might need to get in the mood for the new season,” said Store Manager Patty Mertz.  “Our Cheviot store has been a landmark in the neighborhood for many years,” said Ann Walters, Retail Manager, “and we could not be happier to be sharing our new look with our shoppers.” So, stop in today with your valuable store coupon and enjoy Goodwill’s newly re-designed Cheviot store location.

 At Goodwill, we get you in the mood for Spring! Thank you Greater Cincinnati for your on-going support of Ohio Valley Goodwill and our mission of putting people to work!

(Pictured, above: L to R: Steve Neal, Cheviot, Ann Walters, GW, Joe Walter, Board Member, Gail Hana, GW VP, Heidi Rezabek, GW and Patty Mertz, Store Mgr.)

Goodwill Marketing Specialist Sharon Hannon was delighted to be part of the CARA-sponsored (Community Ambassador Resource Alliance), Fabulous Fur fund-raising event held on February 19th. The fashion-oriented evening soiree was held as a fund-raiser for Goodwill long-time partner, the Hamilton County Board of MR/DD and their upcoming levy campaign. The CARA group is a non-profit organization that works closely with the Board in support of the individuals that the Board and Goodwill mutually serve.

One of many upcoming events planned for 2009, the Fabulous Fur gala was a novel approach to raising funds for the Board’s important levy campaign effort.

Goodwill has also established a speaker’s bureau composed of teams of staff and self-advocates who are providing education and outreach to a variety of community groups. “Our hope is to inform the public about Goodwill’s long-time partnership with the Hamilton County Board of MR/DD and the individuals we mutually serve,” said Hannon. “The 2009 levy provides almost 71% of the funding needed to provide vital services to individuals with developmental disabilites,” added Hannon.

Look for more news about upcoming events and how you can support Goodwill and the Hamilton County Board of MR/DD.

Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries was pleased to welcome recently elected Hamilton County Commissioner, Greg Hartmann and his Chief of Staff, Susan Waidner, to the Goodwill facility on Monday, February 16, 2008. Goodwill President and CEO, Joseph Byrum provided the Commissioner with a comprehensive tour of the organization’s campus highlighting programs and services that are designed to serve the vocational needs of men and women with disabilities, homeless veterans, and others with barriers to employment.

Commissioner Hartmann was particularly interested in Goodwill’s program that serves the needs of homeless veterans through the organization’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP). Mr. Hartmann was pleased to meet several veterans who reside in Goodwill’s dormitory facility and was delighted to interact with them while on the tour.

Additionally, the Commissioner was able to receive a first hand look at how Goodwill prepares all of the donations the organization receives and how they are organized for sale in area retail stores. The Commissioner was impressed with how Ohio Valley Goodwill helps to contribute to the overall recycling process and how effective the organization is at utilizing all of the donations that are received.

At the end of the tour, Commissioner Hartmann indicated his support of Goodwill’s mission to put people to work and commented that his office is available as a resource as needed. “It is always a positive step when we can have our community leaders experience Goodwill on a personal basis and see first-hand the things we do to help people with disabilities to become self-sufficient,” said Joe Byrum.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is pleased to announce that it just received official confirmation from the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities that its recent provider compliance review resulted in no citations. This extensive review looks at all aspects of an organization’s operations and serves to confirm Goodwill’s adherence to the highest standard of service provision, staff development and ensuring a healthy and safe environment for individuals served.

Ohio Valley Goodwill has long worked in partnership with both the Hamilton and Butler County Boards of MR/DD to provide vocational training and job placement services to individuals with disabilities and is committed to excellence in the provision of those services. The recent review and positive outcome serves to reflect the organization’s on-going dedication to outstanding performance and adherence to the highest possible standards.

In the next few days, watch for News from Ohio Valley Goodwill about its exciting 2009 Celebrity Golf Tournament (and the chance to register on-line), community outreach opportunities, and many upcoming Special Events that will put the organization and its mission of service into the regional spotlight. Our hope is to keep you up-to-date with all of the latest in News from Ohio Valley Goodwill…Stay tuned for more details soon…

For the first time ever, Ohio Valley Goodwill is pleased to announce the posting of its latest television commercials on You Tube’s Non-Profit channel. Visit us at http://www.youtube.com/CinciGoodwill

Ohio Valley Goodwill has long been a member of the Ohio Association of Goodwill Industries (OAGI); a consortium of 16 Goodwill organizations throughout the state of Ohio. This year, 2009, marks the launch of the Association’s new state-wide website, www.ohiogoodwills.org. The purpose of the new site is to provide visitors with information about the important work of Goodwills throughout the state as well as to help link them with the Goodwill organization in their area.

 Goodwill organizations throughout the state offer services in employment and training as well as the more familiar retail and donation operations. This month’s launch is intended to educate legislators, the media and the general public about the many programs that Goodwill organizations provide across the state of Ohio.

For the 2nd year in a row, Ohio Valley Goodwill is delighted to be the host location for the 2009 Advocacy In Media (AIM) Awards Luncheon, in partnership with the Community Ambassadors Resource Alliance (CARA) group. This prestigious annual event is designed to recognize journalists who demonstrate outstanding use of “People First” language in their stories which involve individuals with disabilities. The use of “People First” language emphasizes the person first rather than their disability. While the inaugural event in 2008, targeted the print media specifically, this year’s luncheon will include nominees in both  the print and electronic media.

“Ohio Valley Goodwill is honored to be host location for this important Awards Luncheon event,” said Joe Byrum, President and CEO. “We appreciate the CARA group’s on-going commitment to working with the media in their coverage of individuals with disabilities,” added Byrum.

The Community Ambassadors Resource Alliance (CARA) is a consortium of not-for-profit organizations, dedicated to increasing the community inclusion of individuals with disabilities. CARA is currently solicting nominations for the 2009 Advocacy In Media (AIM) luncheon scheduled for Thursday, March 19th at Ohio Valley Goodwill’s corporate headquarters in the village of Woodlawn.

 For more information, click on the image to above (or here)  to learn about the nomination process, or contact Sharon Hannon, Marketing Specialist, at shannon@cincigoodwill.org.

Goodwill’s Cheviot retail store has shut its doors but only very temporarily…The store is busily under-going a complete re-modeling including new flooring, fresh paint and additional shelving which will allow for brand new displays and expanded inventory (16,500 new items of clothing, housewares, electronics and more)! The long-time store has been in the Cheviot community for 28 years and values the community support that it has always enjoyed. The store is looking forward to showing its newly re-designed space off during its Grand Re-Opening Celebration on Monday, February 23^rd.

See a flyer about the re-opening, and get a special coupon good only until Feb. 22nd.

Plan to visit the Cheviot store location for the
big Grand Re-Opening Celebration!