Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

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.