Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest days of the year for Ohio Valley Goodwill traditionally, as donors hurry to get their last-minute donations in before the cut-off date for next year’s tax deduction. In the midst of the seemingly endless parade of vehicles pulling up to the organization’s headquarters, WCPO TV took advantage of the opportunity to film the busy proceedings as part of their story on last-minute donations.

Retail Sales Manager, Ann Walters, explained that while New Year’s Eve is always a great day for donations to Goodwill, contributions are critically needed all year long.” We are extremely grateful to the residents of Greater Cincinnati for their generosity during the holiday season but we want everyone to know that donations are needed all of the time,” said Walters. The proceeds from items donated to Goodwill are sold in the organization’s network of 15 stores and go towards funding its important skill training and employment programs for individuals with disablities and our nation’s veterans. Last year alone, Goodwill served more than 2600 individuals with barriers to employment.

Tune in to Channel 9, WCPO, for their New Year’s Eve news story featuring Ohio Valley Goodwill at 5:30 and 6:00 pm. News segments can also be viewed on their website at www.wcpo.com, Local News. Thanks to WCPO for their coverage of this important holiday story.

Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to welcome dozens of eager shoppers to its brand new Montgomery boutique located at 9820 Montgomery Road. The new store has been much anticipated by its loyal shoppers and many were on hand to get the first peek. “We could not be more excited to open our newest boutique location in Montgomery,” said Ann Walters, Retail Sales Manager. “I think our customers will be very pleased by the variety, selection and quality of our fashions in this new store,” added Walters.

The new Montgomery store features a much expanded retail floor space compared to its previous location as well as a convenient drive-thru donation area, which should be very appealing to the organization’s donors. Goodwill’s boutique stores are known for their assortment of designer fashions, hand-bags, jewelry and shoes as well as home decor items.

The organization is also looking forward to the success of its new drive-thru donation center at the boutique location as it celebrates its on-going commitment to recycling and helping the Greater Cincinnati community to renew and re-use this New Year.  Please visit our “Store Specials” page on our website for your valuable store coupon and stop in today to experience first-hand Goodwill’s newest boutique location in Montgomery.

An official Grand Opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new store will take place on Saturday, January 9th, so plan to stop by for all the fun next weekend as well.

Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries celebrated the holiday season in style on Friday, December 18th at a gala holiday luncheon at the Sharonville Convention Center.  Over 165 special guests, board members, employees and other visitors attended the luncheon.  The annual luncheon is a yearly event that marks the season and observes the yearly milestones of the organization.  Helping to open the luncheon this year was an address from Senator Sherrod Brown’s office read by his aide, Ms. Courtney Hansman.  The Senator sent his best wishes to Ohio Valley Goodwill and congratulated the organization on its continued success.  Board Chairman, Charlie Wright spoke to the guests and highlighted some of the many achievements that Goodwill had accomplished during 2009.  Mr. Wright also detailed the many awards and commendations that Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries had achieved during the past year.

During the luncheon, Service Guild President Jane Kreps told the audience about the many achievements that the volunteer group had accomplished during 2009 on behalf of Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries.  Mrs. Kreps also awarded Goodwill President Joe Byrum with a check for $20,000 from the Service Guild to be used for programs and services for the organization’s mission.  “We are always so pleased to be able to support Ohio Valley Goodwill through our programs,” said Mrs. Kreps.

Another aspect of the annual luncheon has been the celebration of staff tenure recognition.  Again this year, Goodwill recognized the twenty year anniversary of five of its staff members including; Angie Grady of Personnel, Barb Obert and Becky Creech of the Production area, Steve Koons of the Rehabilitation Office, and Zachary Norman of the Janitorial Contracts division.  Other long-time staff were also recognized by Joe Byrum in his address to the guests.

A very special part of the luncheon was the recognition of Board of Directors member and organizational spokesperson, Joe Walter.  Joe was recognized for his long service to Goodwill as golf outing celebrity chairperson and auto auction personality.  A special video presentation was prepared for the occasion that showcased Joe’s service to Goodwill through the years.  The audience cheered as Joe took the stage to accept a plaque from President Joe Byrum.

Other notable guests in attendance at the event were, The Honorable Joseph W. Uecker of the Ohio House of Representatives, Katlin Graham, Staff for Senator George Voinovich, Clara Pugh, Councilwoman for the City of Forest Park, OH, Cheryl Phipps, Superintendent of Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services, and Dennis Burger, Program Services Administrator of Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Service Guild, a dedicated group of volunteers, gathered together once again to welcome more than 400 honored guests to the 2009 Holiday Luncheon. In partnership with the organization’s Food Services training program team, the Guild presented a fabulous pasta luncheon feast which was heartily enjoyed by the hungry participants. Entertainment was provided by musician Jim Swartwount, who has performed for past Goodwill seasonal celebrations. Program staff assisted will all aspects of the luncheon event from serving and clearing to clean up. “It’s always wonderful to have an opportunity to come together to celebrate the season,” said Joe Byrum, President and CEO. “We are grateful to the Guild and our Food Services team for their hard work in making this year’s holiday luncheon a success,” added Byrum.

On Wednesday, December 9th, Ohio Valley Goodwill welcomed more than 450 individuals and families to its 8th Annual Homeless Awareness Dinner. The annual event is hosted in partnership with the Sharonville Convention Center and Village Pantry Catering and this year’s dinner broke all records for attendance. The festive party provides a lavish holiday meal for guests as well as entertainment and the highlight of the evening, a visit from Santa for all of the children in attendance. The 2009 dinner was a memorable occasion for the more than 125 children that enjoyed a warm holiday meal and their special gifts from our visitor from the North.

The elaborate dinner is planned and organized by Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Special Projects team and requires hours of pre-event coordination. All needed supports for the dinner are provided by Goodwill specialists who sponsor transportation from area shelters, arrange for gifts for all attendees, secure the entertainment, and even confirm all of the very secret arrangements for the guest of honor, Mr. Claus. “Ohio Valley Goodwill is delighted to host this very special annual dinner which is not only a celebration of togetherness but also an opportunity to increase awareness in the community about those struggling with homelessness,” said Charlie Blythe, Event Chairperson and Goodwill Grants Director.

Ohio Valley Goodwill has a long-standing commitment to working with individuals challenged with homelessness and our nation’s veterans. In 2008, the organization served more than 550 military men and women and in total, more than 2600 individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment.

Goodwill thanks the community for its support of this important annual event as well as for its vital programs and services for all of the individuals it serves year-long.

L to R: Joe Byrum, OVGI Pres/CEO, Charlie Wright, OVGI Board Chair and Matt Byrum, OVGI Job Coach

Ohio Valley Goodwill’s President and CEO Joe Byrum was honored today by the Southwest Ohio Rehabilitation Association (SWORA). Presented with the 2009 Tomko Award for Outstanding Achievement, the prestigious award is presented to an individual whose lifetime achievement represents a major contribution to the rehabilitation of people with disabilities. Mr. Charles Wright, Goodwill’s Board Chairman, nominated and presented Byrum with the award during the 2009 SWORA Awards Luncheon event held Friday, December 4th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

During his remarks, Mr. Wright noted Byrum’s more than 30 years of service to Goodwill; the organization’s consistent economic growth as well as it’s on-going expansion of its service capacity. “Joe’s leadership and innovation has resulted in revenue increasing by 614% which has allowed the agency to continue to provide high quality services to individuals even when funding streams have been significantly reduced,” said Wright.

The annual SWORA Award Luncheon event is held to recognize the contributions of human service professionals to the field of rehabilitation. ”I am honored to be recognized by SWORA for my years of service to the field of rehabilitation but I am especially gratified by the achievements of the thousands of men and women with disabilities that Goodwill supports,” said Byrum, in his acceptance speech.

L to R: Goodwill staff team members: Gail Hana, Joe Byrum, Ann Walters, Michelle Ruschman, JoAnn Decker and Charlie Wright

Jen, STAR 64
Co-Host

“December 2nd marked the occasion for the filming of Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Holiday showcase with STAR 64, which will air this weekend, on Sunday, December 6th. Goodwill celebrity spokesperson and board member, Joe Walter, in partnership with co-hosts Storm and Jen explained in the 8 segment piece Goodwill’s donation cycle and how donations benefit the organization’s mission of service. The segments are featured during commercial breaks of the STAR 64 “At The Movies” program that airs each Sunday.

Storm, STAR 64
Co-Host

Walter along with show co-hosts, Storm and Jen, toured the organization’s headquarters and visually explained the cycle of donations from drop off to production to retail store sale to mission support. The showcase will air during a series of movies including a holiday special and Walter focused on not only the need for end of the year donations but thanking the Greater Cincinnati community for their support. While the team explained the need for support for all Goodwill’s important programs, the segment featured in particular, the organization’s services for our nation’s heroes, our military men

Joe Walter, OVGI
Board Member

and women. “We just thought it was important during this holiday season to highlight the special people that Goodwill serves and how vital donations are to that mission,” said Walter.

Tune in to STAR64 on Sunday, December 6th to watch “At The Movies” and see Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Holiday showcase.