Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

KISS-107 FM helped to make Friday, April 30th a very special day for Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries when they hosted a live radio remote from the organization’s drive-thru donation center at the Tri-County headquarters.  The station arrived early and helped to promote morning donations from 6 to 10 am for contributors on their way into work.  DJ’s Tim and George promoted the dontaion drive throughout the week and brought in free coffee and donuts for donors who arrived in the early morning hours.

Goodwill was pleased that both Tim and George were able to tour the organization’s facility prior to the radio remote and to see first-hand how the agency helps to meet the vocational and job support needs of men and women with disabilities, homeless veterans, and others with barriers to employment.  During their tour, both of the DJ’s had the opportunity to meet some of the individuals who are involved in the many training programs that Goodwill offers which help to put people to work.  “We were so amazed to see how Goodwill truly works and to become better aware of the programs and services that are available as a result of the donations that are collected,” said the DJ’s.

“Ohio Valley Goodwill was so pleased that KISS-107 FM decided to partner with us to sponsor this special donation drive especially since we are so very much in need of donations at this time of the year,” said George Palmer, Goodwill’s Public Relations and Marketing Director.  “Community donations are critical to our mission of providing services to the more than 2,600 individuals that we serve each year,” siad Palmer.  Donations are always accepted at any of Goodwill’s 29 locations throughout the Greater Cincinnati area.  It’s always easy to donate and contributors can find convenient locations and hours for the donation locations by going to the organization’s website at: www.cincinnatigoodwill.org.

Goodwill thanks the staff of KISS-107 FM for their support of Goodwill’s mission and for helping to promote the need for donations to the organization!

Friday, April 30th and Saturday, May 1st marked the occasion of the Annual Spring Mini-Fest held at Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Tri-County store location. The Mini-Fest is sponsored by the organization’s volunteer Guild group and is a long-standing tradition at Ohio Valley Goodwill. The 2-day event features homemade baked goods and candy, “Elegant Junque,”collectibles, books, tapes and even a plant sale by the Mt. Healthy Garden Club. At lunch time, a grill-out is a star attraction for hungry shoppers featuring hot dogs, chips and cool drinks.

The Spring Mini-Fest also offers an opportunity for patrons to get a quick health check-up with blood pressure screenings provided by the Woodlawn Fire Department and for kids fingerprinting provided by the Woodlawn Police Department. The annual event is designed as a fund-raiser by the Guild organization to support Goodwill’s mission of service to individuals with disabilities and our nation’s veterans.

“The Guild really enjoys putting on the Annual Spring Mini-Fest each year,” said Nancy Horton, Guild President. “Funds raised go towards Goodwill’s important mission of putting people to work,” added Horton.

Michael Flannery with Goodwill “actors”: L to R: Stephanie Mitchell, Samantha Woolery, Rear, John Hock, Michael Flannery, Kristine Agoston.

Thursday, April 29th marked the occasion for the filming of the 2010 Goodwill mission television commercials at Cincinnati State University. Annually, Goodwill’s team of “actors” participate in a full day filming session on the college campus helping to create the content for the series of Goodwill mission commercials that will be aired on network television throughout the year. The ads focus on the importance of donating to Goodwill’s car auction and the “actors” help to explain the benefits that they receive as a result of those donations.

Joe Walter with Goodwill “actors”: L to R: Kristine Agoston, Samantha Woolery, Stephanie Mitchell, Rear: John Nusekabel, John Hock, Jesse Walker, with Joe Walter.

Goodwill Public Information Officer Michael Flannery and long-time celebrity spokesperson Joe Walter along with Mike McConnell are featured in the ads alongside the various “actors” involved in this year’s campaign. The 2010 effort was noteworthy because the filming involved parents and family members for the first time. “Goodwill is so pleased that our participants and families feel so good about our programs and services that they are willing to share their thoughts with the Greater Cincinnati community,” said Leslie McCurley, Asst. DD Services Director.

The series of 2010 television commercials will begin airing mid-summer and continue through the holiday season. Stay tuned for future posting announcements regarding your chance to view the new spots on YouTube once they have debuted on TV.

L to R: James Harley, Samantha Woolery, Katie Wietmarschen, rear, Molly Swain, Loveland HS teacher

Monday, April 26th marked the occasion for members of Goodwill’s Community Outreach team to talk with graduating seniors at Loveland High School. Marketing Specialist, Sharon Hannon, along with Community Preparation Program Mgr, Katie Wietmarschen, and advocates, James Harley and Samantha Woolery spoke with 20 students and teachers about the many programs and services that Goodwill can provide to individuals with disabilities.

The members of Goodwill’s outreach team were impressed by the peer mentoring that is an integral part of the Loveland High School program. The program offers students with and without disabilities the opportunity to work together on learning new skills both in the classroom and in the community. The students and teachers seemed to enjoy the multi-faceted presentation provided by the Goodwill team, especially the personal stories shared by Samantha and James, advocates. Samantha and James are both officers in Goodwill’s Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) and shared with the students how that experience has helped them to become skilled spokespeople on behalf of individuals with disabilities.

“Ohio Valley Goodwill is committed to providing community outreach as much as possible and especially to students who are making the transition from school to work,” said Sharon Hannon, Marketing Specialist. For more information about Ohio Valley Goodwill’s transition planning services or to schedule a tour, please contact Sharon Hannon at (513) 771-4800, ext. 6364.

Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Mt. Washington store served as the headquarters for more than 400 volunteers involved in the 2010 Great American Clean Up event on Saturday, April 24th. The Clean Up event is held annually throughout the city in association with Earth Day, to encourage civic volunteerism and community pride. Organized by Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, Goodwill was honored to be selected as the headquarters for the 2010 East side event.

Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls served as the official city ambassador in charge of the kick-off ceremony to get the Clean-Up started. Goodwill’s retail team acted as greeters and hosts for the hundreds of volunteers involved in the 2010 event. “We were delighted to be asked to host this wonderful Clean Up event,” said Ann Walters, Goodwill Sales Manager. “It was a great way to show our commitment to the Mt. Washington community,” added Walters.

Organizers of the 2010 Clean Up were pleased with the volunteer involvement and were extremely complimentary regarding Goodwill’s participation as the headquarters site. “The Goodwill team were very gracious and hospitable in helping us out with this year’s event,” said Mark Macomber, President of Mt. Washington’s business association and co-organizer of the event.

Saturday, April 24th marked the celebration of the 5th Annual “Wheels for Wishes” fund-raiser in support of CARA (Community Ambassadors Resource Alliance) and Ohio Valley Goodwill was a proud sponsor of the 2010 event. CARA is a non-profit organization supported by Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services, whose mission is to raise awareness and funds for individuals with DD. Goodwill is an active member of the CARA group and has been involved since the inception of the annual fund-raising event 5 years ago.

The 2010 Wheels for Wishes event featured Goodwill Public Information Officer, Michael Flannery as Master of Ceremonies with the assistance of his daughter, Grace. Held at Beech Acres park, attendees enjoyed face-painting, cornhole, trips around the track and musical performances by the Summit Elementary Choir, local musician Mark Macomber as well as a demonstration by Maggie, the pet therapy dog.  

Despite the initial threat of rain, sunny skies and warm temperatures made the 2010 Wheels event a wonderful success. “I was very pleased with the participation and the support of everyone involved in the 2010 Wheels for Wishes event,” said Kate Hawkins, CARA Executive Director.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is proud to be a partner in the Community Ambassadors Resource Alliance (CARA) group and a sponsor of the 2010 Wheels for Wishes fund-raising event.

Team Members: L to R Melanie Brown, Candace Green, Neal Hutchinson and Claudette Crawford.

Friday, April 23rd marked the occasion of the 3rd Annual Stand Down event co-sponsored by Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) and hosted by Mercy Franciscan at St. John in Over the Rhine. The purpose of the event is to draw attention to the needs of homeless veterans and to offer a variety of services for these individuals including: housing assistance, job services, legal support, haircuts and medical attention. A hot lunch is served to all participants in addition to the distribution of clothing to individuals as needed.

The phrase “stand down” comes from an old military term relating to a time that military personnel could have their personal needs attended to. More than 20 service provider agencies were part of this year’s event and hundreds of individuals currently struggling with homelessness, participated in the 2010 Stand Down.

In addition to Ohio Valley Goodwill, other sponsors for the Stand Down include: Cincinnati Veteran’s Administration, Mercy Franciscan-St. John, the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition, Church of the Redeemer, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, and Bruegger’s.

Ohio Valley Goodwill has been offering services to individuals who are homeless and unemployed for many years. In 2009, the organization served more than 600 veterans and homeless individuals. For more information about Goodwill’s HVRP program, please contact Mick Fusco, Grants Manager at (513) 631-4500.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is grateful to Mercy Franciscan at St. John for their on-going support of this important annual community outreach event.

Lebanon dignitaries pictured with Goodwill team members for official ribbon cutting ceremony. Front row: L to R Ann Walters, Retail Sales Mgr, Gail Hana, Goodwill VP, Jim Armour, Board member, Vanessa Cornett, Lebanon Store Mgr, Amy Brewer, Lebanon Mayor, Scott Brunka, Deputy City Mgr, 2nd row, R to L: Maria Collins, Economic Development Coordinator, Joe Byrum, Goodwill CEO, and Jason Millard, City Planner with members of the Lebanon retail team

Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to launch its 2010 Earth Day celebration with the Grand Opening of its newest retail store in Lebanon. Excited customers were greeted with warm smiles, goodie bags and seed packets to commemorate not only the long awaited opening of the organization’s 16th store location but also in recognition of Earth Day 2010.

An official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held just prior to the opening of the doors featuring City of Lebanon dignitaries, Mayor Amy Brewer, Scott Brunka, Deputy City Manager, Jason Millard, City Planner and Maria Collins, Economic Development Coordinator. “The city of Lebanon is thrilled to welcome Ohio Valley Goodwill’s new store to our community and we know that it will contribute to the economic vitality of our area,” said Mayor Brewer in her remarks.

Shoppers enjoyed the colorful displays, fun fashions, assorted collectibles, electronic gear, wicker furniture and even children’s toys that filled every corner of the new store. “We are glad to be a part of the growing business environment in the City of Lebanon” said Joe Byrum, Goodwill President and CEO.

Goodwill Service Guild President Nancy Horton served as the official greeter for today’s event welcoming shoppers and handing out seed packets that emphasized the donation message in honor of Earth Day.

Goodwill Guild President Nancy Horton passing out seed packets to customers in honor of Earth Day.

The new Lebanon store has a convenient drive-thru donation area which provides an easy way for residents to contribute to the organization’s mission of putting people to work. “Donating gently used clothing and household goods to Goodwill is a great way to be green and serve the community at the same time,” said George Palmer, Director of PR and Marketing.

Ohio Valley Goodwill has been serving the Greater Cincinnati community for 94 years and annually helps more than 2300 individuals with disabilities and our nation’s veterans to receive skill training and employment services.

Ohio Valley Goodwill’s retail stores were delighted to be named “Best Thrift Stores” for the second year in a row by City Beat magazine in their “Best of Cincinnati” awards published in their annual edition of the magazine.  Winners in the Best of City category were announced in a gala “Best of Cincinnati” party hosted by the magazine on March 31st.   ”We were so excited to receive this wonderful attention from City Beat for the second time acknowledging what we do best,” said Ann Walters, Goodwill’s sales manager.  “The recognition also helps the community to realize our real mission of helping to put people to work,” added Walters.  Sales of donations in Goodwill’s retail stores helps to support vocational training and job support services for men and women with disabilities, homeless veterans and others with barriers to employment.

“Recognition from community publications like City Beat certainly helps the public to become much better acquainted with our services and the shopping value that we present to the community,” said Goodwill President and CEO Joe Byrum.  Goodwill strives to offer quality goods and pricing options in its network of 15 area retail stores in the Greater Cincinnati area.  The organization is always in need of donations of clothing, household goods, and other items to support its retail stores.  Goodwill is pleased that City Beat magazine has recognized the organization with it’s Best Thrift award again this year!

L to R: Dave Miller, teacher and host, Tim Wissel, advocate (rear), Katie Wietmarschen, Prog Mgr, Erin Riga, teacher, and LaShonda Brady, advocate(front)

On Tuesday, April 6th, members of Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Community Outreach team provided an overview of the organization’s programs and services to a group of students and teachers from West Side Montessori High School. Goodwill’s team was asked to visit the school to talk with students about the many programs and services that Goodwill can offer. Marketing Specialist, Sharon Hannon, along with Katie Wietmarschen, Community Preparation Program Manager and advocates Tim Wissel and LaShonda Brady explained how Goodwill can help individuals to learn about the world of work and to get jobs in the community.

The West Side Montessori students seemed to enjoy the multi-faceted presentation which included a discussion of the Community Preparation aspects of the program as well as personal testimonials about the quality of the program from Tim and LaShonda. All students were cordially invited to come to Ohio Valley Goodwill’s headquarters for a tour in the future.

“At Goodwill, we think it’s important to provide as much community outreach as possible about our programs and services and especially to students who are preparing to move into the world of work,” said Hannon, Goodwill Marketing Specialist. To find out more about community presentations, please contact Sharon Hannon at 771-4800, ext.6364.