Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

On Wednesday, April 27th, Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to welcome more than 60 guests invited by long-time partner, Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS), to its corporate headquarters for a day-long focus group on best practices in service provision. Specifically, Hamilton County DD Services was chosen as one of 6 regions in the State to take part in a project to evaluate the working relationships, outcomes and functions of the County Service Facilitator and Provider Program Manager roles. Honored guests included parents, service recipients, Service Facilitators, Program Managers, and HCDDS leadership team members including Superintendent Cheryl Phipps.

The format used for the focus group included both large and small group activities to obtain feedback from participants as to their perceptions as to the quality of services they receive, ways to improve those services and evaluation of current training materials. HCDDS Director of Community Services, Alice Pavey served as the coordinator for the Hamilton County-based focus group, hosted by Ohio Valley Goodwill.

Focus group participants were treated to a delicious lunch prepared by Goodwill’s Food Services Training program team members under the direction of Chef Alison McElfresh. Ohio Valley Goodwill was very pleased to serve as the host location for this important community outreach event designed to promote best practices in service provision in Hamilton County.

Despite gray skies and rainy conditions, Ohio Valley Goodwill’s team members for this year’s version of “Team Goodwill” have been busy training and are more than ready for the 2011 Hope & Possibility Run taking place on Saturday, April 30th. In honor of its 95th Anniversary of service this year, “Team Goodwill” is the largest in the organization’s history boasting more than 30 members. Most notably, the team welcomes family members as well as staff members from its Retail division for the first time.

“It really is going to be a Hope & Possibility Race to remember,” said Leslie McCurley, Asst. Director of DD Services. “I know all of our participants are really looking forward to this year’s experience,” added McCurley.

The Hope & Possibility Race is part of the annual Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon and is designed to pair athletes with and without disabilities in a high profile showcase which highlights community involvement and focuses on personal success. Watch for the record-breaking times and other memorable moments from this year’s Race on our News Blog and Facebook page on Monday, May 2nd.

Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries has been working diligently for the past several months with Clear Channel Communications and WLWT – News 5 for the first-ever “Goodwill Spring Clean-Out Day” to take place on Saturday, May 7th at the organization’s corporate headquarters in Woodlawn. The donation event will bring together a host of radio stations including, 700 WLW, 55KRC, KISS 107, WEBN and WLWT-News 5 to help promote the special drive. Contributors will be encouraged to bring their gently used donations of clothing and household goods to the Goodwill drive-thru donation location from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and join in the fun and spirit of the day.

On hand during the event will be Gold Star Chili, Husman’s Potato Chip Company, and Pepsi – all pitching in to help promote the fun event and to lift the spirits of all those stopping by to make donations! “We are so delighted that so many of Greater Cincinnati’s landmark organizations and companies have joined together to help promote Goodwill’s need for donations and to help make this a special day for our donors,” said George Palmer, Goodwill’s Director of Public Relations and Marketing. It’s so easy to donate during the Spring Clean-Out day. Donors simply need to bring their contributions to Goodwill’s Tri-County location at 10600 Springfield Pike in Woodlawn anytime during the special event from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Goodwill staff will assist with the donation and provide the donor with a tax receipt while the contributor joins in the celebration! “We’ve planned a fun day for everyone to assist Goodwill with its mission of helping to put people to work,” said Palmer.

Donations to Ohio Valley Goodwill help to support programs and services for men and women with disabilities, homeless veterans, and others with barriers to employment. Goodwill has been providing service to the Greater Cincinnati community for 95 years. We thank the community for its continued support!

L to R: Matt Graves, DJ Turner, Katie Wietmarschen, Danny Crews and in front, Samantha Woolery, Summit Planning Committee Members.

Ohio Valley Goodwill and the members of its Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) are excited to announce that the organization is hosting the 2011 Advocacy and Leadership Summit at its corporate headquarters on Wednesday, May 25th. The Advocacy and Leadership Summit is designed to be an opportunity for program participants to learn about independence; to share stories of personal advocacy efforts; and to talk with other local advocacy groups about becoming involved in their organizations. This year’s event represents the second annual Advocacy and Leadership Summit hosted by Ohio Valley Goodwill, which last year welcomed hundreds of interested attendees.

The 2011 Advocacy and Leadership Summit will feature both a morning and afternoon session at its Springfield Pike location on May 25th and an additional session will be held on Thursday, May 26th at its Westwood Training Center for the convenience of interested participants. ”The 2011 Advocacy and Leadership Summit will be a great chance for people to learn about advocacy and how to speak up for themselves,” said Danny Crews, CAC President.

The theme for this year’s Summit is “Advocacy at Work: Real People, Real Stories.” The idea is to help people understand how making choices affect their lives. “The point of this event is to help individuals truly grasp what it means to be a self-advocate,” explained Katie Wietmarschen, Summit Planning Advisor. “This can be as simple as choosing your own outfit for the day all the way to buying your own home,” further explained Wietmarschen.

Goodwill’s Consumer Advisory Committee members are really looking forward to this year’s Summit and know that it will be a huge success. Stay tuned for updates about the 2011 Advocacy and Leadership Summit.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is proud to announce that in honor of Earth Day and it’s 95th Anniversary of service, the organization is joining with Goodwill Industries International in launching the “Donate Movement” in the Greater Cincinnati area. Goodwill Industries International has launched a new innovative public awareness movement to emphasize the positive impact that donating clothing and other household goods can have on communities and the planet. Through the “Donate Movement,” Goodwill is challenging people to rid their closets and homes of unwanted items and put them to good use by donating them.

Other partner organizations include Family Circle Magazine, Hanes, Levi Strauss and Co. and the Planet Green channel along with spokesperson Lorie Marrero, who is the creator of www.clutterdiet.com and author of The Clutter Diet: The Skinny on Organizing Your Home and Taking Control of Your Life.

“When you donate the items you no longer need to Goodwill, you are helping someone find a job, strengthening your community and perserving the planet,” said Joe Byrum, President and CEO of Ohio Valley Goodwill. “Your donations also help the environment by allowing other people to repurpose the items so that they can be diverted from landfills.”

Last year, 67 million donors gave items to Goodwill. These donors helped Goodwill agencies provide critical services to nearly 2 million people. Goodwill provides job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based services to people with disabilities, those who lack education or job experience and others facing challenges to finding employment. Goodwill’s mission is fulfilled through the collection and sale of donated goods, which fund these critical programs.

Goodwill is also unveiling a new “D” donation icon with the goal that it will become a universally recognized symbol stamped on donatable items. Businesses have partnered with Goodwill to show their support of the “Donate Movement” and impact positive social change and environmental sustainability in communities everywhere. As an environmental pioneer for more than 105 years, Goodwill hopes that this movement will encourage people to reduce, reuse and repurpose items they no longer need.

“The Donate Movement starts with all of us,” said Joe Byrum, President and CEO of Ohio Valley Goodwill. “Donations are the lifeblood of Goodwill’s mission and, at a time when Goodwill’s services are in great demand, it is crucial that we grow our mission by increasing donations.”

Join Goodwill in donating responsibly at www.cincinnatigoodwill.org. The NEW calculator app on our News Blog page allows you to determine the impact of your donations on providing services to the individuals that Ohio Valley Goodwill serves. Check it out today and join Ohio Valley Goodwill in supporting the Donate Movement!

You can also learn more about how donations help Goodwill’s mission nationally at http://donate.goodwill.org

Senator Sherrod Brown	OVGI President and CEO, Joe Byrum

Ohio Valley Goodwill was honored to receive a letter of recognition from Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown regarding its recent selection as the 2011 “Provider of the Year” from the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities. In addition, the Senator noted the organization’s on-going community involvement including support and participation in the 1st annual Autism All Stars Celebration. Please view the letter in its entirety by clicking here.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is delighted that Ohio’s elected representatives have chosen to single out the organization for recognition during this, its 95th year of service in the Greater Cincinnati community. “We could not be more pleased by the public commendation we have received of late from our referral partners and legislative friends regarding the quality of our programs and services for individuals with disabilities,” said Joe Byrum, President and CEO.

Celebrity Host, Joe Walter with Outing Coordinator, Doug Ostholthoff

Ohio Valley Goodwill is abuzz with excitement as the date for its first-ever Helicopter Golf Ball Drop approaches. Less than two months from now, the organization will host the “Spectacular Helicopter Ball Drop” event at its 2011 Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing on June 9th as part of its 95th Anniversary Celebration. Golf Outing Coordinator, Doug Ostholthoff and Celebrity Host, Joe Walter, can hardly wait for the big day.  The pair will be featured in a series of Facebook and YouTube videos beginning in May promoting the Helicopter Drop.

“The really cool part about the Spectacular Helicopter Ball Drop is that everyone can be part of it,” said Ostholthoff. “You can either actually be there when it happens as a player or a volunteer or you can just get your golf ball to be part of the big drop by registering at www.cincinnatigoodwill.org. Golf balls are only $5.00 each and not only help to make the drop truly Spectacular, but also give you the chance to win a large cash prize,” explained Ostholthoff.

Celebrity Host Joe Walter has been part of the Goodwill Golf Outing since its beginnings in 2001 and could not be more excited about this year’s event. “This year’s outing will not only include hanging out with my celebrity friends at a beautiful golf course as well as fantastic food sponsored by Lother’s but also, this amazing Helicopter Ball Drop that I think will truly be unforgettable!” said Walter.

The organization will be posting regular updates regarding the golf ball sales for the Spectacular Helicopter Ball Drop on its Facebook page as well as a link to the latest YouTube video starring Doug and Joe, so stay tuned. Please join Ohio Valley Goodwill in celebrating 95 Years of Service in the Greater Cincinnati area by being part of our 2011 Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing on June 9th. Purchase your golf ball today for your chance to win a large cash prize at www.cincinnatigoodwill.org!

L to R: front- Michael Goforth, Lisa Schneider, Aimee Rittner, Lois Kramer, Ranaye Hampton, rear (L to R) Mike Sweetin, Leslie McCurley, Michael Johnson, Katie Weitmarschen, Joe Byrum, CEO, Jim Jones, Steve Koons, Michael Flannery.

Ohio Valley Goodwill was honored to receive a proclamation from the Ohio Senate for “Remarkable Attainment” commending the organization for being selected as the 2011 Agency Provider of the Year by the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The proclamation, signed by Senator Tom Niehaus, President of the Ohio Senate and Senator Gary Cates, 4th Senatorial District, noted “Ohio Valley Goodwill is deserving of high praise for its exemplary business practices. The accomplishments of the agency are a justifiable source of pride and an outstanding reflection not only of the organization itself but also on its hard-working management and staff, on its dedicated volunteers, and on the community.”

The Senate proclamation noted additionally that “Ohio Valley Goodwill has enhanced the quality of life within the surrounding area, and its generous contributions have earned it the gratitude and respect of many. We are certain that as this worthy agency maintains its dedication to service, it will continue in the tradition of excellence that has become its hallmark.”

Ohio Valley Goodwill is honored to have been selected for recognition by the Ohio Senate and by its partner, the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities. “We are so delighted that Ohio Senate has chosen Ohio Valley Goodwill for this special commendation,” said Joe Byrum, President and CEO. “It is certainly a tribute to our entire Goodwill team recognizing the outstanding quality of our programs and services,” added Byrum. The Senate proclamation will be framed and proudly displayed in the organization’s corporate headquarters.

Sharon Hannon, Marketing Specialist, OVGI at Autism All Stars event.

Ohio Valley Goodwill was proud of be one of the exhibitors and sponsors of the 1st annual “Autism All Stars” event held Sunday, April 10th at Great American Ball Park. The inaugural celebration was hosted by the Autism Society of Greater Cincinnati and welcomed more than 200 guests to honor 18 students for their outstanding achievements.

As the excited attendees entered the Champions Club, they walked past the exhibit area and Ohio Valley Goodwill’s booth. Marketing Specialist, Sharon Hannon handed out 95th Anniversary gift bags filled with informational materials to the award recipients, family members and many teachers participating in the first-ever event. The awards ceremony was paired with video of the honorees engaged in many of their school-related activities including band, sports and theatrical productions. As each excited honoree was presented to the attentive audience by a teacher from their respective school, they received not only their personalized award but the opportunity to make an acceptance speech. All of the students not only thanked the teachers that supported them but also, poignantly, their parents and family members.

“It was a lovely event and Ohio Valley Goodwill was honored to be part of the first-ever “Autism All Stars” celebration,” said Sharon Hannon, Marketing Specialist. The award recipients will also be recognized during a special Reds pre-game ceremony on April 20th.

This year marks the 5th anniversary of the Hope & Possibility Race; a feature of the annual Flying Pig Marathon. The Hope & Possibility Race pairs athletes with and without disabilities in a high profile athletic event which focuses on positive relationships and community involvement. For Ohio Valley Goodwill,  this year marks the debut of the largest number of participants involved in “Team Goodwill” since the group started more than 5 years ago. 30 athletes are in training for the 2011 Hope and Possibility Race which will be held on Saturday, April 30th this year.

Veteran “Team Goodwill” members are back again from the organization’s Work Adjustment and CARE programs but for the first time, the team is welcoming athletes from its Retail division as well as family members.

“We are very excited about “Team Goodwill” this year because it really marks a collaborative partnership between all members of the Goodwill family,” said Leslie McCurley, Asst. Director of DD Services.

Watch for upcoming Facebook postings about Team Goodwill’s performance in this year’s inspiring Hope and Possibility Run!