Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

During this time of New Year resolutions and preparing for the start of a brand new year, there is no better time to declutter and to try to simplify and organize your life. The great news is, Ohio Valley Goodwill can help! With more than 29 different donation sites throughout the Greater Cincinnati area, it’s easy to start the paring down and decluttering process. And when you think about it, isn’t a more organized way of living a better way to start the New Year? Join Better Homes and Gardens magazine in starting your de-cluttering campaign today. January’s issue of the magazine cites Goodwill as a place to declutter and take your excess “stuff.” The best part is, according to the article, the funds generated by donations sold in retail stores supports Goodwill’s mission of putting people to work. At Ohio Valley Goodwill, we’ve been using that winning formula for the past 95 years. So, get your New Year off to the best start possible- declutter today!

If you have more “stuff” than you can handle, Ohio Valley Goodwill has partnered with College Hunks Hauling Junk to make even your toughest resolutions come true. Contact www.CollegeHunksHauling.com today to schedule your at-home pick up.

Friday, December 17th marked the occasion of the annual Board of Directors sponsored Holiday Luncheon event for Ohio Valley Goodwill. The traditional event provides an opportunity for Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Board of Directors, Volunteer Service Guild, Executive team, employees, referral partners and special guests to get together to celebrate the holiday season and the achievements of the past year in a relaxed, festive atmosphere. Held at the Sharonville Convention Center, this year’s event welcomed more than 160 guests who enjoyed a holiday-themed meal, the musical entertainment of a chamber trio and the program which accompanied the luncheon.

Highlights of this year’s event included a check presentation to Goodwill President and CEO, Joe Byrum from Nancy Horton, President of the organization’s volunteer Service Guild as well as remarks from Board Chairman, Charlie Wright. The 2010 event also served as a tenure celebration ceremony for employees of the organization that have provided 20 years or more of service to Ohio Valley Goodwill. Included in this year’s recognition were: Kenneth Foster, Sharon Hannon, Fannie Hill, Linda Jordan, George Palmer, Richard Peak and Lisa Wohlman. Special Recognition was also given to Nancy Wooley who has been with Goodwill for 37 years.

The 2010 Board-sponsored Holiday Luncheon event was capped off by a seasonal video presentation produced by Goodwill Public Information Officer, Michael Flannery, which highlighted the many special events of the year. President and CEO, Joe Byrum completed the program by reading a portion of a poem entitled ”Desiderata” which perfectly captured the spirit of the holiday season.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Ohio Valley Goodwill wishes all of you a very, happy holiday season and peace and prosperity in the New Year!

For the 9th year in a row, Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to partner with the Sharonville Convention Center in hosting the Annual Homeless Awareness Dinner on Tuesday, December 14th. The annual tradition is planned and coordinated by staff  members of Goodwill’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project (HVRP) team. This year’s holiday celebration welcomed 446 individuals from area shelters including the Anna Louise Inn, Joseph House, City Gospel, Mt. Airy Shelter, Light House, Salvation Army, Interfaith & Urban A, Mercy-St. John’s, the YWCA and the VA DOM. This year’s special guests included 94 children under the age of seven. The youngest guest at this year’s event was only 4 weeks old.

For the past 9 years, Ohio Valley Goodwill has partnered with the Sharonville Convention Center, Village Pantry Catering and owner Tom Ward on this memorable event which provides a holiday meal with all the trimmings, entertainment, gifts for each guest, and an eagerly awaited visit from Santa for all of the little ones. While Ohio Valley Goodwill only provides direct services to a small percentage of each year’s guests, the organization sponsors the annual event to reach out to all those struggling with homelessness during the holiday season.

“We are thankful to have the opportunity to provide this important dinner during the holiday season for these families,” said Mick Fusco, HVRP Grants Manager. “We appreciate the generous sponsorship of the Sharonville Convention Center and Tom Ward in making the Homeless Awareness Dinner such a success every year.”

Each year, Ohio Valley Goodwill serves more than 1000 individuals challenged with homelessness in the Greater Cincinnati community. Community donations make it possible for the organization to provide skill training and employment services to help people to get jobs and permanent places to live. Goodwill is grateful for the on-going generosity of the Greater Cincinnati community which has allowed the organization to fulfill its important mission of service for the past 95 years.

Wednesday, December 8th was the date for the 2010 Guild-sponsored Holiday Luncheon event held at the organization’s corporate headquarters in the village of Woodlawn. More than 800 program participants, employees and volunteers took part in this year’s celebration which is catered by the organization’s Food Services Training Team led by Chef Alison McElfresh. The annual tradition is supported by Goodwill’s volunteer Service Guild whose members work hard to make the event as festive and entertaining as possible.

This year’s special musical guest was Mark Macomber, a long-time community volunteer and local musician. Attendees enjoyed singing along with traditional carols, updated seasonal hits as well as popular pop standards. “The annual holiday luncheon is an opportunity to get together to celebrate the season in an entertaining way that is enjoyed by all members of the Goodwill organization,” said Joe Byrum, President and CEO.

Ohio Valley Goodwill thanks its volunteer Service Guild for this important gift that marks the end of one year and celebrates the beginning of the coming New Year. The organization values the opportunity to share the spirit of the holiday season with all of its program members as well as its staff team and volunteers.

2010 SWORA Goodwill Award Recipients and Presenters: L to R: Andrea Langford, Kelly Manns, Kathie Kraemer, Emily Gillespie, Jay Kehoe, Nancy VanderWoude and Heather Baran.

Friday, December 3rd marked the occasion of the 2010 Southwest Ohio Rehabilitation Association (SWORA) Awards Luncheon which this year was hosted by Ohio Valley Goodwill. The annual Awards Luncheon is held to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of Rehabilitation each year. More than 60 people attended this year’s event which celebrates performance in a number of different categories including: Outstanding Achievement, Employer of the Year, Rehabilitation Practitioner, Rehabilitation Support Staff, Rehabilitation Manager, Rehabilitation Organization, Advocacy and Rehabilitation Program of the Year.

While the organization was delighted to host the 2010 SWORA Awards Luncheon event, Goodwill was even more elated to learn that its own Emily Gillespie, Work Evaluation Administrative Assistant, received the “Rehabilitation Support Staff of the Year” award and its Office Procedures and Computer Technology Training program was recognized as the “Rehabilitation Program of the Year.”

“Ohio Valley Goodwill was honored to be selected for this recognition of its Office Procedures and Computer Technology Training program,” said Kelly Manns, Asst. Director of Employment and Training. “It was especially poignant to be nominated by a former graduate,” added Manns. The 2010 SWORA Rehabilitation Support Staff award recipient, Emily Gillespie, is also affiliated with Goodwill’s award-winning Training Services division.

Ohio Valley Goodwill congratulates all of the 2010 SWORA Award honorees as well as all of those in attendance for their important contributions to the Rehabilitation field.