Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

June 28th marks the 1 year anniversary of the official launch of the Goodwill Industries International initiated Donate Movement. On Earth Day 2011, Ohio Valley Goodwill announced its endorsement of the “Donate Movement” on the occasion of its 95th Anniversary of service in the Greater Cincinnati area. The innovative public awareness movement is designed 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.

“When you donate the items you no longer need to Goodwill, you are helping someone find a job, strengthening your community and preserving 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, more than 660,000 donors gave items to Ohio Valley Goodwill. These donors helped Goodwill provide critical services to more than 2,600 individuals with disabilities as well as hundreds of our nation’s veterans in the Greater Cincinnati area. For the past 95 years, Ohio Valley Goodwill has been providing job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based supports 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.

Nationally, the “Donate Movement” has been integral in expanding Goodwill’s reach. In 2010, Goodwill Industries diverted more than 2 billion pounds of used goods from landfills. In turn, Goodwill was able to serve 2.4 million people nationally, a 26% increase over 2009. The number of people donating to Goodwill also increased; from 56 million in 2009 to 74 million in 2010 and Goodwill agencies added more than 6,000 jobs last year, further fueling their local economies.

“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 how donations help Goodwill’s mission nationally at http://donate.goodwill.org

From L to R: Stephanie Mitchell, 2010 Co-Chair, Doug Ostholthoff, CFO and 2011 Golf Outing Coordinator and 2011 Co-Host and Joe Walter, Celebrity Host

Ohio Valley Goodwill is excited to announce the availability of its 2011 Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing Photo Gallery for public viewing. Annually, the organization posts a Photo Gallery following the Celebrity Golf Outing and the 2011 version is spectacular! The captivating images were captured by talented photographer Kevin Lawson during this year’s 95th Anniversary Celebration event. In addition to the wonderful still shots of the day’s events, Goodwill’s own Michael Flannery, Public Information Officer, managed to get compelling video of the 1st-ever Helicopter Ball Drop, which was quite the spectacle of the day. Please take a moment to enjoy the highlights of this year’s Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing by viewing our Photo Gallery and watching the YouTube video of the unforgettable Ball Drop.

The 95th Anniversary Celebration event was made possible by our very generous sponsors, friends and supporters of this year’s Goodwill Golf Outing. Ohio Valley Goodwill is grateful to:

Celebrity Host: Joe Walter

 Presenting Sponsors: Hubbard Interactive, MVD Communications, US Bank

Beverage Sponsor: Palmer Leasing

CART Sponsor: Rumpke

Gold Sponsors: Dwyer Companies, Frost Brown Todd, Riverpoint Capital Management, TAPE Products and Wells Fargo

Hole-in-One Sponsor: McCluskey Chevrolet

Signage Sponsor: Holthaus Signs 

Dinner Sponsor: Lother’s Catering

Grill Station Sponsors: Chef Alison and Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Food Service Training Program, Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper/Snapple Group, Ellenbee-Leggett, Premiere Vending, Reinhart Foodservice, Sara Lee and The Kroger Company 

Photographer: Kevin Lawson, Photographer Extraordinaire 

Volunteers: CARE Program Participants, Goodwill Service Guild, Stephanie Mitchell, friends of Ohio Valley Goodwill

and staff from all Goodwill business divisions

The annual Ohio Valley Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing is the single fund-raising event that the organization hosts each year. The proceeds of which are used to support the critical skill training and employment programs that the organization provides to men and women with disabilities as well as our nation’s veterans. “Ohio Valley Goodwill could not be more pleased with the success of the 2011 Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing, ” said Coordinator Doug Ostholthoff. “We look forward to next year’s event and making it even more fun for everyone involved,” added Ostholthoff.

L to R: Michael Flannery, OVGI, George Palmer, OVGI, State Representative Alicia Reece and Leslie McCurley, OVGI.

Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to welcome State Representative Alicia Reece of the 33rd Ohio House District to its corporate facility for a tour on Friday, June 1oth.   During the tour, Representative Reece had the opportunity to see many of the vocational training programs in action including Goodwill’s computer training, janitorial and food service programs. In addition, the Representative was pleased to learn about the organization’s award-winning Center for Advocacy, Education and Recreation (CARE) as well as its many services for individuals with developmental disabilities.  Goodwill’s Job Placement, Coaching support and GoodGuides youth programs were also of interest to the Representative who has not had the opportunity to tour the facility for several years.

Assisting with the tour of the facility and introducing the services to the Representative were Michael Flannery, Goodwill’s Public Information Officer and Leslie McCurley, Assistant Director of Developmental Disabilities Services.  The Representative was impressed with the broad array of programs that Goodwill offers to men and women with disabilities and the support services that are available to individuals that are transitioning into community employment.

A highlight of the tour was a visit to Goodwill’s dormitory that provides temporary housing for veterans through the organization’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP).  The HVRP program has been providing service to veterans since the early 1990′s and last year, over 650 veteran’s were served through this program.  Representative Reece was impressed with the services that this program is offering for our nation’s veterans and the successes that Goodwill has had with its veterans programs through the years.

Sunny skies, a scenic view, and smiling faces were all part of the winning formula for the celebration of the 2011 Ohio Valley Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing held on Thursday, June 9th at the historic Glenview Golf Club. This year’s event was made even more memorable by the Spectacular Helicopter Ball Drop that took place at the end of play, commemorating the organization’s 95th Anniversary of service in the Greater Cincinnati area. Golfers, celebrities and committee members all gathered at 4:00 pm to view the first-ever Golf Ball Drop which involved more than 1400 golf balls being released in a cascade from the hovering helicopter to the driving range below. The ball closest to the pin won the large cash prize for this year’s special event.

Other highlights of the day included the host of celebrity guests that participated in the 2011 Goodwill Golf Outing including such notables as Bengal alumni Anthony Munoz, Robert Jackson, Jim Breech, Eric Thomas and of course, Celebrity Chairperson Joe Walter. Celebrities as well as arriving players loved the now-annual enthusiastic welcome that they received upon arriving at the course. Goodwill’s CARE program participants along with 2010 co-host Stephanie Mitchell warmly welcomed each player with cheers, hugs and handshakes. This year’s golfers also appreciated the mouth-watering meal prepared by Dinner Sponsor, Lother’s Catering, at the end of the day and enjoyed the Silent Auction and Contest Winner presentations following the delicious meal.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is grateful to its wonderful 2011 Sponsors for their support of this year’s 95th Anniversary Celebration event including Presenting Sponsors: Hubbard Interactive, MVD Communications, US Bank; Beverage Sponsor: Palmer Leasing; CART Sponsor: Rumpke; Gold Sponsors: Dwyer Companies, Frost Brown Todd, Riverpoint Capital and Wells Fargo; Hole-in-One Sponsor: McCluskey Chevrolet; Signage Sponsor: Holthaus Signs; and Dinner Sponsor: Lother’s Catering.

2011 Golf Outing Coordinator Doug Ostholthoff remarked during the dinner program that this year’s event really marked the celebration of not only Goodwill’s 95th Anniversary of service but also the important partnerships that make it possible for us to provide the services that are so vital to the Greater Cincinnati community.

Watch for an upcoming announcement about the availability the 2011 Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing Photo Gallery for your viewing pleasure.

Saturday, June 4th marked the 6th Annual CARA “Wheels for Wishes” celebration held at Beech Acres Park in Anderson Township. As a “Big Wheel” sponsor for the event, Ohio Valley Goodwill’s team was out in force as exhibitors, participants, entertainers, and even serving as Master of Ceremonies. Goodwill’s Public Information Officer, Michael Flannery and daughter Grace reprised their roles as co-hosts of the annual party which is designed to raise funds to enrich the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.

More  than 200 guests attended the 2011 Wheels for Wishes party which featured face painting, bike decorating, intriquing raffle baskets, exhibitor displays, and most importantly, fun and inspiring entertainment. The Wheels event showcased the talents of the following very special performers: Circus Mojo, Catholic Residential Services (CRS) Choir, A-Marika Dance Company, and the legendary Mark Macomber, local musician and Eastside resident.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is a founding member of CARA (Community Ambassadors Resource Alliance) which is a non-profit organization affiliated with long-time partner Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS). Goodwill Marketing Specialist, Sharon Hannon, is the current Vice-President of the CARA group, along with Debbie Baker, President (LADD) and Kate Hawkins, Executive Director (HCDDS).

The CARA group is proud of its efforts to enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities and will soon be launching its new website, www.caragroup.org to spread the word about its initiatives and successful outcomes. Watch for an announcement coming soon about the new website.

Ohio Valley Goodwill congratulates CARA on the wonderful success of the 2011 Wheels for Wishes event.

L to R: Frank Lengel, (SODC), Paula Smith, OVGI, Leslie McCurley, OVGI, Kevin Brown, OVGI and Troy McCollister, (ODDD)

Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to welcome Asst. Deputy Director Troy McCollister from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities to its brand new Eastside Rehabilitation Services Center on Thursday, June 2nd. Accompanied by Frank Lengel, Program Director from SODC (Southwest Ohio Developmental Center), the Asst. Deputy Director was excited to tour Goodwill’s newest program offering in Clermont County which currently serves 14 individuals from the Developmental Center.Ohio Valley Goodwill’s welcoming committee and tour guides included Leslie McCurley, Asst. Director of DD Services, Paula Smith, Eastside Supervisor, and Kevin Brown, Program Participant. The tour which lasted for approximately 45 minutes allowed the Asst. Deputy Director to meet and speak with all 14 of the program participants as well as the members of the staff support team. Mr. McCollister commented at the end of the tour that he was impressed with how individuals were engaged in the program and the work opportunities provided as well as the interaction between the workers and the staff team members.The new Ohio Valley Goodwill Rehabilitation Services East is located at 4247 Grissom Drive in Batavia, Ohio and represents a precedent-setting cooperative agreement between the Clermont and Hamilton County Boards of Developmental Disabilities to serve eligible individuals from both counties. The new Eastside program offers paid work training opportunities which are both facility and community-based; door-to-door Goodwill van transportation service as well as a recreational option. The community-based work opportunity aspect of the new program includes retail merchandizing at Goodwill’s Beechmont store. The Beechmont store option will include tasks such as display assembly, clothes hanging and price tagging as well as customer service skill training.For a tour of the new Ohio Valley Goodwill Rehabilitation Services East program, please contact Sharon Hannon, Marketing Specialist at (513) 771-4800, ext. 6364 or email: shannon@cincigoodwill.orgOhio Valley Goodwill is grateful to Asst. Deputy Director McCollister for his recent visit to its new program and to both the Clermont and Hamilton County Boards of Developmental Disabilities for their support of the new Eastside Center.