Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

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.