Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries is excited to announce that it has partnered with COLLEGE HUNKS HAULING™ to provide a new, expedited home pickup service to area residents who wish to donate clothing and household goods to the organization. The new Priority Paid Pickup will allow residents to have their items removed and donated within a 48 hour timeframe by College Hunks Hauling. While the priority pickup option is a fee based service, it includes additional benefits such as the removal of items from anywhere inside the property, as well as the removal of junk and items Goodwill cannot accept. Donors will also receive a discount off the regular pricing of College Hunks Hauling and the donation to Goodwill is still fully tax-deductible. All donors will receive a receipt from Goodwill Industries at the time of their donation. The new pick-up service is the result of the high volume of requests Goodwill has received over the years for home pick-up. The benefits of College Hunks Hauling for donors include:

• Pick-up of unlimited items
• No restrictions on type of items
• Same day or next day service
• Items removed from anywhere on property
• Recycled or disposal of non-donated items
• Clean cut, professional workers
• Licensed, bonded insured company
• College Hunks Hauling bears all operating cost

By partnering with College Hunks Hauling, Goodwill is able to better service its generous donors by providing a quicker and more convenient donation home pickup option”, said George Palmer, Director of Public Relations and Marketing for Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries. Donors will benefit from a significant discount and can schedule their no-obligation priority service hauling and donation estimates online at www.CollegeHunksHauling.com or by calling 1-800-825-7819.

The generous donations received by Ohio Valley Goodwill help to fund the organization’s employment, training and personal development programs for more than 2500 individuals with disabilities and our nation’s veterans annually.

Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to be a sponsor of the 2010 Mt. Washington Holiday Walk this year which took place on Saturday, November 27th. The organization opened its 15th store in Mt. Washington in January 2010 and was excited to have the opportunity to help support the annual holiday event. Members of the store staff team opened their doors to holiday visitors as they went from business to business enjoying good tidings of the season. Goodwill’s Mt. Washington boutique served cider, egg nog and cookies to the excited guests who look forward to the annual holiday event.

The annual Mt. Washington Holiday Walk features free carriage rides, business open houses, musical entertainment, a special appearance by Santa, and this year, a Pooch Paws parade featuring favorite pets in the area and their proud owners. Goodwill’s Facilities Director, Keith Koerner, was resplendent in his elf-themed costume as a player in the holiday band which launched the festivities for the evening. The finale of the holiday event is the lighting of the Mt. Washington water tower.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is a proud member of the Mt. Washington business community and was honored to be part of this important annual holiday tradition. “It was a very nice experience for us to welcome so many residents to our new boutique,” said Matthew Fortner, Store Manager.

After months of planning, Ohio Valley Goodwill’s volunteer donation team and members of “Team Goodwill” arrived in downtown Cincinnati on Thanksgiving morning prepared for the first time, to participate in the 101st annual Thanksgiving Day 10k Race. The organization partnered with race officials to sponsor two “Share The Warmth” Donation Stations this year, where runners could donate +ONE item to share the warmth with others this holiday season. Local 12 reporter Joe Webb arrived soon after the Goodwill volunteers and covered the entire Race event and was particularly interested in the new Donation Station feature. Webb and his photographer, Eric Gerhart, interviewed Goodwill Public Information Officer, Michael Flannery about the effort and filmed the runners as they ran by, tossing donations of coats, gloves and hats as they went. Webb managed to get a few of the runners to pause briefly to explain why they donated to Goodwill and all stated that they wanted to support a good cause on Thanksgiving.

Despite pouring rain and dark skies, Goodwill volunteers and members of ”Team Goodwill” were all smiles during the morning-long event. More than 25 members of Goodwill’s organizational team contributed their time and energy to the Share The Warmth Donation effort which resulted in more than 1600 pounds of donated items. Community volunteer, Mark Macomber, provided entertainment for the determined racers as well as for the Goodwill volunteers, contributing his musical skills to the success of the first-time ever event.

“I was very impressed by the enthusasiam of our team throughout the planning for and participation in the 2010 Thanksgiving Day Race event,” said Sharon Hannon, Goodwill Marketing Specialist and event organizer. “It’s amazing how willing people are to give of their time for something they truly believe in,” added Hannon.

Ohio Valley Goodwill serves more than 2300 individuals with disabilities and our nation’s veterans annually, helping them to obtain job training and employment in the community. Proceeds from the sales of items donated to Goodwill help to make its mission of service possible. Ohio Valley Goodwill is grateful to its team of volunteers for their outstanding efforts to share the warmth with others this holiday season.

L to R: Jessica Brown, Cincinnati Enquirer and Allicia Chatman, CARE participant.

Tuesday, November 23rd started as a pretty remarkable day for Goodwill CARE program participant, Allicia Chatman, as she met with reporter, Jessica Brown, from the Cincinnati Enquirer for an interview. The reporter was meeting with Allicia to talk about the fact that she was selected as a 2010 Cincinnati Enquirer Wish List recipient. Allicia resides in a two story home and uses a walker and a wheelchair to get around both at home and in the community.

The Center for Advocacy, Recreation and Education (CARE) program staff team recognized Allicia’s need for increased accessibility in her home setting and decided to submit an appeal to the Wish List for Allicia. Part of the appeal letter stated “Allicia is a sweet, optimistic person with a smile that fills up a room. She has lived for many years in a foster care setting with Georgia, her beloved caretaker. Allicia lives in a comfortable home with one long staircase. She needs to climb those stairs to get to her room. She is requesting a stair lift which would take the stress out of having to negotiate that staircase several times daily.”

As a 2010 Wish List recipient, Allicia will receive the stair lift which when installed will help to make her home completely accessible so that she can safely and easily go up and down the stairs of her home. Allicia was thrilled to learned that she had been selected and is very much looking forward to having the new stair lift in her home. “I’m happy to be getting this and about being in the paper,” beamed Allicia at the end of her interview. The article will appear in an early December edition of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is grateful to the Greater Cincinnati community for their on-going support of the annual holiday Enquirer Wish List campaign.

“Team Goodwill” captain, Ann Walters, felt first-hand the excitement regarding the 2010 Thanksgiving Day Race when she visited Roncker’s Running Spot in O’Bryonville on Saturday, November 20th. Ann had dropped off posters for the first-ever “+ONE Challenge”Donation Drive on Friday, November 19th and was thrilled when she arrived at the Running Spot on Saturday morning to see all of the attention that the Drive and the Race were receiving from participants of this year’s event. Ann was delighted to see race organizer Julie Isphording and Goodwill Donation Drive supporter talking with all of the excited runners picking up their race packets for the annual Thanksgiving event. “Team Goodwill” has been preparing for participation in this year’s event since late summer and is ready to go.

Team Goodwill- L to R- Vanessa Cornett, Minerva Humita, Ann Walters, and Matt Fortner.

Ann along with team mates, Minerva Humita, Matthew Fortner, and Vanessa Cornett are representing Ohio Valley Goodwill in this year’s Race as well as 25 additional volunteers who are supporting the “Share The Warmth” Donation Stations at the start of the Race as well as at Mile 2 (Eggelston and Sentennial.)  Goodwill and the event are launching the +ONE Challenge this year and encouraging the 17,000 runners and walkers to bring extra clothing to the 10k walk and run. Participants can wear items at the start of the race 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.

“Team Goodwill” invites you to join them in making ONE more meaningful impact this holiday season. Join Ohio Valley Goodwill and 101st Thanksgiving Day Race in bringing ONE more donation to share your holiday warmth with thousands of others.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is grateful to the 2010 Thanksgiving Race organizers and chair Julie Isphording for their support as well as ”Team Goodwill” and the many volunteers that have chosen to give of their time and energy this Thanksgiving morning to”Share The Warmth” with the thousands of individuals that the organization serves.

Sharon Hannon, Marketing Specialist at 2010 HCDDS Provider Fair.

Saturday, November 20th marked the occasion of the 2010 Adult Day Provider Fair sponsored by long-time Goodwill partner, Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services. The 2010 Fair was held at the Conference Center at Cincinnati State University and Ohio Valley Goodwill was one of the many exhibitors present eager to talk with families about the variety of programs and services that the organization offers. More than 100 families attended the Fair and talked with the Goodwill representative about the interests of their respective family member. A number of families in attendance were looking for services for their son or daughter who are preparing for the move from the world of school to work.

“Ohio Valley Goodwill is always happy to have the opportunity to talk with families and individuals about the many employment, training and personal development programs that Goodwill can provide,” said Sharon Hannon, Marketing Specialist. “Goodwill works with students and families all of the time in developing an individualized plan to help make the transition process as successful as possible,” added Hannon.

Team Goodwill: Left to right: Vanessa Cornett, Minerva Humita, Ann Walters (Captain), and Matthew Fortner.

As the 2010 Thanksgiving Race day quickly approaches, members of “Team Goodwill” are gearing up their training efforts in preparation for this year’s big event. Led by team captain, Ann Walters, Goodwill Retail Sales Manager, the members of the 2010 team include Minerva Humita, Production Supervisor, Matthew Fortner, Store Manager and Vanessa Cornett, Store Manager. The group has been preparing for Goodwill’s first-ever participation in the annual Thanksgiving Day Race since late summer.

Team Goodwill in action!

This year marks the first time that Ohio Valley Goodwill has been a charitable partner organization with the Thanksgiving Day 10k Walk/Run  which is held in downtown Cincinnati beginning at Paul Brown Stadium. Goodwill and the event are launching the +ONE Challenge which encourages all 17,000 walkers and runners to bring extra clothing to the race to help share the warmth of the holiday season.  Participants can wear items at the start of the race 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. Racers can make their donations at the starting line at Paul Brown Stadium and also at the Goodwill “Share The Warmth” Donation Station at mile two which will feature more Goodwill volunteers, music and fun.

So, join “Team Goodwill” and our more than 25 volunteers this Thanksgiving morning to share the warmth this holiday season by doing ONE More Good Thing- Donating to Goodwill to support our mission of service to individuals with disabilities and our nation’s veterans.

Goodwill Service Guild Presents Veterans Day Luncheon (Pictured left to right): Jane Kreps, Goodwill Service Guild, Michael Thomas, JoAn Armour, Goodwill Service Guild, Terry Dawson, Nancy Horton, President, Goodwill Service Guild.

The Service Guild of Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries presented its annual Veterans Day Luncheon on Tuesday, November 9th.  Now in its third year, the luncheon has become a tradition at Goodwill Industries in recognition for the many veterans that are served by Goodwill Industries.  Twenty-two veterans and eight staff members participated in the special luncheon with food prepared by the volunteer members of the Service Guild.  Most of the veterans are employed at Ohio Valley Goodwill and are individuals enrolled in Goodwill’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP).  Service Guild volunteers were also joined by their spouses, many of whom are also retired veterans.  “It is always our pleasure to prepare this special luncheon as a way to thank our veterans for the service that they have given for our country,” said Nancy Horton, President of Goodwill’s Service Guild and event organizer.

Goodwill’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program has been serving the needs of veterans since the early 1990′s and last year (2009), provided service to more than 550 veterans.  The HVRP program offers temporary housing, vocational training, job placement services, life skill training and other services designed to assist veterans in their quest for independence.  The Goodwill Service Guild is a volunteer service organization that has been providing support for the organization for over 75 years.  The group is involved in a variety of fundraising activities and special events which help to support Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries and its mission to put people to work.   Goodwill thanks the Service Guild for its comittment to supporting and recognizing our nations veterans.