Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

As the 2010 Thanksgiving Day Race gets closer, the enthusiasm for the event and Goodwill’s participation continues to grow. “Team Goodwill” is excited to announce that it has added another member, Vanessa Cornett, Lebanon Store Manager. In partnership with her other teammates, Ann Walters, Sales Mgr, Minerva Humita, Production Spvr, and Matt Fortner, Mt. Washington Store Mgr, the group is busily in training for the upcoming event. The runners are doing regular work-outs of 3 to 6 miles each depending on their experience and current stamina levels. One of the “Team Goodwill” members has already lost 16 pounds and attributes the achievement to involvement in the training effort.

“Goodwill is so excited to be the sponsor for the +ONE Challenge Donation Drive for the 2010 Thanksgiving Day Race,” said Ann Walters, team captain. “The +ONE Challenge encourages all 17,000 participants to bring just ONE donation to share the warmth of the holiday season,” added Walters. To register for the 2010 Thanksgiving Day Race, please visit www.thanksgivingdayrace.com. Join Goodwill in cheering on the members of “Team Goodwill” on November 25th and in supporting the +ONE Challenge Donation Drive. The warm gesture of giving to Goodwill is a healthy way to make ONE more meaningful impact on our community and to support the organization’s mission of helping people with disabilties and our nation’s veterans go to work in our community.

Ohio Valley Goodwill was one of the featured exhibitors for the 2010 Autism Expo held on Saturday, September 25th at the Live Oaks campus in Milford. Hundreds of families attended the 5th annual event to find out about the programs and services available to their children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Goodwill has a long history of working with transition students and young adults in helping them to prepare for the  world of work and Marketing Specialist, Sharon Hannon, spoke with parents about the many services that the organization is able to provide.

The Autism Expo was created to provide the thousands of families that support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with information that will help them to access needed services and programs. “Ohio Valley Goodwill has been an exhibitor at the annual Autism Expo since its beginnings, ” said Sharon Hannon, Marketing Specialist. “We are very happy to have the opportunity to talk with families and individuals about the many services we are able to provide,” added Hannon. It is estimated that currently 1 out of every 100 births results in a child being born with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Ohio Valley Goodwill was thrilled to be part of the first-ever “See Beyond Yourself” CARA fund-raising event held on Monday, September 20th at ChristopherMarcus Salon in Hyde Park Square.

Goodwill is a founding member of the Community Ambassadors Resource Alliance (CARA) whose mission is to raise awareness and funds to enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities. Supported by long-time Goodwill partner, Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services, CARA is composed of 15 community partner organizations who work collaboratively to support the group’s mission. Goodwill Marketing Specialist, Sharon Hannon, currently serves as Vice-President of the CARA group and worked in partnership with Debbie Baker, current President and salon owner, Mark Neff, to plan and organize the first-ever event.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to invite our friends and supporters to enjoy a lovely, relaxing evening out but also, to truly see beyond themselves in support of the CARA mission of enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities,” said Debbie Baker, CARA President. Salon owner, Mark Neff and his team, had previously sponsored the 2009 “What Matters Most” Fashion Show in support of Hamilton County DD Services and the CARA group and were enthusastic about this newest fund-raising project.

Guests were treated to complimentary skin treatments from the salon specialists, a buffet of delicious treats provided by Chef Alison McElfresh and the Goodwill Food Service team, musical entertainment by Mark Macomber, and the bartending expertise of Eric Redwine and Carrie Kline.

This is the first in a series of spa evening events that will be hosted by ChristopherMarcus Salon and the CARA group. The next is a holiday-themed event scheduled for Monday, December 6th which will feature even more fun surprises for its special guests.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is excited to have its own team in training for the 2010 Thanksgiving Day Run/Walk on November 25th, which will also serve as the occasion for the debut of the largest one-day donation drive in Cincinnati history, sponsored by the organization and race organizers. “Team Goodwill” members include Ann Walters, Sales Manager, Minerva Humita, Production Supervisor, and Matt Fortner, Store Manager. The team is taking its training very seriously and participated in the 2010 Tyler’s Run event in Miami Whitewater Park over the weekend. Team mates, Ann Walters and Minerva Humita, both came in second in their division for this first race of the Fall season.

“We are so excited about the upcoming Thanksgiving Day Race and Goodwill’s “Share The Warmth” donation campaign,” said Ann Walters, Sales Manager. “It’s going to be a wonderful event and I know our volunteers and supporters are looking forward to cheering on the 17,000 race participants and donors on Race Day morning,” added Walters.

The theme for this year’s 100+ONE Thanksgiving Day Race is Do ONE Better and organizers worked with Goodwill to launch the +ONE Challenge; the first-ever one-day coat and clothing drive to benefit the organization’s mission of service to the Greater Cincinnati community. To find out more about the +ONE Challenge, visit the www.thanksgivingdayrace.com or the link on our website.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is proud of the members of “Team Goodwill” and congratulates them on this initial training milestone.

L to R: Michael Flannery, OVGI, Charlie Wright, Board Chair, Jo Ann Decker, OVGI (front), Mick Fusco, OVGI, Senator Bill Seitz, State Representative Connie Pillich, State Representative Peter Stautberg, Jay Stolkin, Staff Asst for Congressman Steve Driehaus and Charlie Blythe, OVGI.

Ohio Valley Goodwill was pleased to welcome many of Ohio’s elected representatives to its corporate headquarters on Friday, September 17th for the organization’s 2010 Legislative Breakfast event. State Representatives and Senators and an aide from Congressman Steve Driehaus office attended the event which served as a means for the officials to talk with Goodwill’s management team and learn more about its mission of service and impact on the community.

L to R: Michael Flannery, Goodwill Public Information Officer, Senator Eric H. Kearney, Charlie Wright, Chairman, Goodwill Board of Directors

The honored guests enjoyed a lavish breakfast buffet prepared by Goodwill’s Food Services team led by Chef Alison McElfresh and listened to the organization’s team members as they described the various skill training and employment programs offered to individuals with disabilities and our nation’s veterans. The lively conversation was followed by the debut of a mission video produced by Goodwill Public Information Officer, Michael Flannery, which provided a compelling overview of Goodwill’s economic impact on the Greater Cincinnati community and its success in putting people to work. Tours for interested legislators followed the breakfast event which is designed to become an annual tradition that legislators can note on their calendars.

“Ohio Valley Goodwill was very happy to have the opportunity to welcome our elected representatives to visit the organization and learn more about the important mission of service as well as the economic impact that Goodwill provides in the Greater Cincinnati area,” said Charlie Wright, Board Chair and official host of the 2010 Legislative Breakfast event.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is partnering with The 101st Thanksgiving Day 10k Walk/Run to kick-off potentially the largest one-day coat and clothing drive ever in Cincinnati at 9 am on November 25th at Paul Brown Stadium.

The 101st Thanksgiving Day Race is celebrating its old age this year with the theme “100+ONE” and encouraging everyone to add one more healthy and meaningful activity to their life– lose ONE more pound, run ONE more mile, get ONE more friend to run the race.

The Do ONE Better campaign is also the impetus behind this year’s first ever coat and clothing drive on race day morning. Goodwill and the event are launching the ‘+ONE Challenge’ and encouraging the 17,000 walkers and runners to bring extra clothing to the 10k walk and run. Participants can wear items at the start to stay warm for an hour and then give the coat, sweatshirt or jacket to the Goodwill volunteers so someone else can stay warm for a lifetime. There will also be another Share Your Warmth station at mile two with Goodwill volunteers, music and fun.

The warm gesture is a healthy way to make ONE more meaningful impact on our community and to support Ohio Valley Goodwill’s mission during the holiday season.

So, join Ohio Valley Goodwill and the 101st Thanksgiving Day 10k Walk/Run on November 25th. Support Goodwill and its mission of serving others in our community by bringing your +ONE item to share lots of holiday warmth with thousands of others. For a list of suggested items to donate to share your warmth, please click here.

Watch for updates about the 100th + 1 Thanksgiving Day 10k and Goodwill’s partnership as well as news about “Team Goodwill” in training for this year’s great event on www.thanksgivingdayrace.com and www.cincinnatigoodwill.org.

Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to join with long-time partner, Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services, in marching in the 2010 Harvest Home Parade on Thursday, September 9th. Fourteen individuals from Goodwill’s Westwood Vocational Services Center and Veterans programs participated in this year’s parade to the cheers of thousands of on-lookers. It was a beautiful early Fall evening making it the perfect weather to join in the historic community-wide celebration.

Prior to the start, Goodwill marchers prepared for this year’s parade, by watching a group of cheerleaders practice their routines. “It made for an energizing way to get in the mood for our own performance,” said Michelle Ruschman, Westwood Supervisor. The Goodwill team enjoyed waving to all of the people lining the streets along the two mile route and having the opportunity to hang out with friends and colleagues from Hamilton County DD Services. “It’s always a wonderful community outreach event,” said Ruschman, “and I have more volunteers every  year.”

Ohio Valley Goodwill was pleased to be the host location for the initial planning meeting for the Regional Family Advisory Council with representatives from the Southwest Council of Governments in attendance. The Council of Governments (COG) includes Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Warren counties in Southwest Ohio. Lynne Calloway with Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS) who represents the Information Network for Families served as the greeter and moderator for today’s meeting.

The purpose of the planning meeting was to establish a vision for the Family Advisory Council, a mission statement and to identify next steps in getting organized. HCDDS Consultant, Jo Krippenstapel, led the group through the small group activities used to accomplish the identified goals for the planning session.

The highest hopes and guiding images of the Regional Family Advisory Council is to “create a community of family members that welcome families of all people with disabilities,” said Lynne Calloway, HCDDS. Leslie McCurley, Asst. Director of DD Services for Ohio Valley Goodwill has been involved with the Regional Family Advisory Council since its inception earlier this year. “As a long-time partner with HCDDS in serving individuals with disabilities, we welcome the opportunity to support their community outreach efforts in the Southwest Ohio region,” said McCurley.