Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

The last week in December is always one of the busiest times of the year for Ohio Valley Goodwill. Greater Cincinnati residents are hurriedly cleaning out their closets following the Christmas holiday in order to get their donations in before the end of the year. December 31st is the last day that donors can claim donations on their 2011 tax returns.

WCPO reporter John Matarese recently featured a story on his “Don’t Waste Your Money” segment that talked about the importance of donating wisely to legitimate charities at this time of year and Goodwill’s corporate headquarters served as the backdrop for the compelling story. Please take a moment to view the story on our www.facebook.com/cincigoodwill page.

During this busy year-end holiday time, Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries wishes to thank all of its many donors and to remind those that willl be donating during this final week of the year that contributions of household goods are very important to the organization. Goodwill President and CEO, Joe Byrum noted that “taking the extra time to ensure your donation goes to the right cause can make a difference to families in our community.”

Donations to Ohio Valley Goodwill are sold through its network of 16 stores and boutiques in the Greater Cincinnati area. The revenues generated then fund job training programs and support services that help people with workplace challenges and disabilities to achieve and maintain economic independence and an increased quality of life. By giving to Goodwill, donors are playing a vital role in helping people go to work. Locally, Ohio Valley Goodwill serves more than 2600 annually including people with disabilities and our nation’s veterans.

Thank you Greater Cincinnati for your on-going support of Goodwill’s important mission of service to the community. Our thanks to WCPO and John Matarese for his end of the year donation story. For a list of our 28 conveniently located donation sites, please visit www.cincinnatigoodwill.org/donate.

Ohio Valley Goodwill celebrated its official 95th Anniversary with a gala holiday luncheon on Friday, December 16th.  Sponsored by the organization’s Board of Directors, the annual event provides an opportunity for Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Board of Directors, Volunteer Service Guild , Executive team, referral partners, legislative and special guests to come together to celebrate the achievements of the past year in a relaxed, festive atmosphere. This year’s luncheon welcomed almost 200 friends and supporters of the organization and marked the official recognition of Goodwill’s 95 years of service in the community. The featured keynote speaker at this year’s event was Goodwill Industries International (GII) President and CEO Jim Gibbons, who spoke eloquently about Goodwill’s mission of service in the community.

The 95th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon was highlighted by special presentations of recognition to Goodwill by representatives from the United States Senate, the Ohio House of Representatives and the Hamilton County Commissioners office. Senator Sherrod Brown’s SW Divisional Liaison Brooke Hill presented Ohio Valley Goodwill President and CEO, Joe Byrum, with a proclamation from the Senate in celebration of the organization’s service over the past 95 years. Newly-elected Hamilton County Commissioner Chris Monzel followed Ms. Hill by presenting a certificate of recognition from the Commissioner’s office as well as proclaiming December 16th as “Ohio Valley Goodwill Day” in Cincinnati.

Topping off the official recognition part of the program was State Representative Connie Pillich from the 28th District, where the organization’s corporate headquarters are located. The Representative presented Goodwill President and CEO, Joe Byrum, with an official commendation from the Ohio House of Representatives and congratulated the organization on its service to the Greater Cincinnati community over the past 95 years.

In addition to the many tributes received from its honored guests, the organization was pleased to recognize the tenure of two of its long-time employees, Kim Masters and Arthur Johnson, both 20 year employees of Goodwill. In addition, three employees were singled out for recognition that have provided more than 35 years of service; Doug Ostholthoff, CFO, Anna Gabbard, IT, and Nancy Wooley, Rehabilitation Services. Following the tenure recognition, Volunteer Service Guild President, Nancy Horton, presented Goodwill President and CEO, Joe Byrum with a check for the funds raised by the Guild over the past year.

Following the Guild presentation of the $20,000 gift, Ohio Valley Goodwill President and CEO, Joe Byrum invited the esteemed keynote speaker for the 95th Anniversary Celebration event to the stage; Mr. Jim Gibbons, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International (GII). Mr. Gibbons remarks regarding the importance and relevance of the Goodwill mission in the community inspired the fascinated group of attendees. He spoke movingly about his own life experience as a person seeking employment with a visual disability and how his own experiences professionally over time, have influenced his unflagging commitment to Goodwill’s mission of helping people to experience personal success in their own lives. He encouraged the audience to think differently in the future regardless of their role in terms of helping people to have increased opportunities to become valued members of the community.

“Ohio Valley Goodwill is honored and very pleased that Mr. Jim Gibbons and so many of our close friends and partners were able to join us today to celebrate 95 years of service in the Greater Cincinnati community. We feel that the personal success of the thousands of men and women we serve every year are the true indicators of Goodwill’s mission in action,” said Joe Byrum, President and CEO.

The 95th Anniversary Celebration was capped off by a reflective video presentation produced by Goodwill Public Information Officer, Michael Flannery, which captured the Goodwill story over the past 95 years.

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

Ohio Valley Goodwill’s staff team along with President and CEO, Joe Byrum, were thrilled to welcome visiting Goodwill Industries International (GII) President and CEO Jim Gibbons to the Greater Cincinnati area on Thursday, December 15th. Mr. Gibbons is in town to help celebrate Ohio Valley Goodwill’s 95th Anniversary of service to the Greater Cincinnati community. While the formal Anniversary celebration luncheon will take place on Friday, December 16th at the Sharonville Convention Center, Mr. Gibbons scheduled his arrival early in order to tour the Goodwill’s corporate headquarters and meet with the local media.

Ohio Valley Goodwill President and CEO, Joe Byrum, conducted the tour in partnership with members of the organization’s marketing, rehabilitation, and operations team members all of whom provided a detailed overview of the agency’s programs and services as well as donation processing procedures. The tour included individual presentations by managers in the organization’s award-winning skill training and employment services areas as well as within its Work Adjustment and CARE programs (Center for Advocacy, Recreation and Education). In addition, Mr. Gibbons was intrigued to find out more about the organization’s Veterans services and tour the transitional dormitory housed in its corporate headquarters.

One of the highlights of Mr. Gibbons morning visit was the opportunity to speak with Goodwill supervisor, Jesse Walker, during the tour of the Production building where donated items are sorted and prepared for sale in the stores. Gibbons was fascinated by Walker’s story of personal success following his military service as a Marine in Viet Nam. After overcoming a series of overwhelming life challenges, Walker is now a supervisor at Ohio Valley Goodwill and is responsible for a team of more than 30 workers.

Mr. Gibbons tour was documented by WLWT-News 5 as the Goodwill team conducted the extensive orientation and took advantage of the opportunity to ask Mr. Gibbons for his comments about the organization’s mission in the community. “The reason Goodwill exists is to help people with disabilities and our nation’s veterans go to work in our community. Goodwill is a job creator and is proud of its on-going record of success during these challenging economic times, ” said Gibbons.

Mr. Gibbons tour was followed by an appearance on WCPO Channel 9 News at noon and then, a formal welcome reception at Goodwill’s corporate headquarters. At the reception, Mr. Gibbons had the opportunity to interact more closely with the organization’s Executive and management staff teams and learn more about its local success. WXIX- Channel 19 also stopped by to catch a few moments of the festivities and speak with Mr. Gibbons about his visit to Ohio Valley Goodwill.

Friday, December 16th will feature Mr. Gibbons as the keynote speaker at the organization’s 95th Anniversary Holiday Luncheon which will take place at the Sharonville Convention Center. In addition, Gibbons will be featured on Local 12 Newsmakers with Dan Hurley. Please stay tuned for video links to all of these media stories in the coming days.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is grateful to Mr. Gibbons for visiting the Greater Cincinnati area and committing so much of his time towards spreading the message of Goodwill during the holiday season. “We certainly appreciate Jim’s time with us at Ohio Valley Goodwill and his participation in our 95th Anniversary Celebration,” said Joe Byrum, President and CEO.

For the 10th year in a row, Ohio Valley Goodwill was pleased to partner with the Sharonville Convention Center in hosting the annual Homeless Awareness dinner on Wednesday, 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 over 400 individuals from area shelters including the YMCA, Tom Geiger House, Anna Louise Inn, Salvation Army, Joseph House, First Step Inn, Inter Faith, Drop Inn Center, Mt. Airy Shelter, VA Dom, and Goodwill Dorm.  This year’s special guests included 65 children under the age of eight and a total of 95 children.

For the past 10 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 trimings, entertainment and gifts for each guest.  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 homelessnes during the holiday season.

“We are thankful to have the opportunity to provide this wonderful dinner during the holiday season for these families,” said Charlie Blythe, HVRP Grants Director.  “We appreciate the generous sponsorship of the Sharonville Convention Center and Tom Ward in making the Homeless Awareness Dinner the success that it has been for the past ten years.”

Each year, Ohio Valley Goodwill serves more than 500 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.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is excited to be one of the newest members of the Dell Reconnect program in the Greater Cincinnati area. The Dell and Goodwill partnership was formed because Goodwill has a long-standing reputation as an entrepreneurial leader, environmental pioneer and social innovator of the “reduce, reuse, repurpose” movement. In addition to Goodwill’s efforts to preserve the environment, what makes the organization’s work meaningful to Dell is its mission to provide job training, employment and placement services for men and women with disabilities as well as our nation’s veterans.

The Goodwill/Dell Reconnect partnership will offer donors FREE computer recycling at all Greater Cincinnati retail and donation locations as well as help to raise consumer awareness about the importance of responsibly recycling used computers. Donors may request a receipt at the time of their donation to receive a tax deduction. The Dell Reconnect program is a win-win for everyone. It benefits the environment, the community and the individuals that Goodwill serves.

For more information about the Dell Reconnect program, please visit www.dellreconnect.com or www.cincinnatigoodwill.org/donate for a list of donation locations.

Ohio Valley Goodwill thanks Dell and the Greater Cincinnati community for their support of the new Dell Reconnect program which will allow technology to be recycled responsibly.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is delighted to announce that Sea of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is sponsoring a Children’s Coat Drive beginning Wednesday, December 14th and continuing through January 31st, 2012. Sea of Smiles is located at 1319 Nagel Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45255 and will accept donations of gently used children’s coats Monday-Thursday from 8:00 am-4:00 pm. All donations will be given to Ohio Valley Goodwill and proceeds raised will go towards the organization’s mission of providing skill training and employment services for men and women with disabilities as well as our nation’s veterans.

Sea of Smiles is also working with a number of other community organizations to promote the Children’s Coats Drive including local school districts, parent groups and even through radio spots on Rewind 94.9, B105, Q102, and The Wolf 97.3. Ohio Valley Goodwill is grateful to Sea of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry for their support during the busy holiday season. Please drop off your gently worn children’s coat donation beginning Wednesday, December 14th through Tuesday, January 31st at Sea of Smiles, 1319 Nagel Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45255. Thank you Greater Cincinnati for your generous donations that help put people to work in our community. Happy Holiday Wishes to All!

Click here to listen to the radio spots regarding the Sea of Smiles Donation Drive!

Ohio Valley Goodwill was honored to be selected as one of the beneficiaries of the 2011 Employee

Giving Campaign of The Standard Insurance Company which is headquartered in Portland, Oregon. For the past several years, employees of The Standard have been given the opportunity to wear jeans every Friday in exchange for a donation to a nonprofit partner organization. This year Goodwill organizations located in Oregon, Cincinnati as well as Goodwill Industries International were selected as the beneficiaries of the 2012 Program.

The Standard employees can participate in the program by making a donation during the quarterly jeans sales or were given the opportunity to make a donation during the 2011 Employee Giving Campaign. Employee donations through the Employee Giving Campaign totaled $144,000 which was divided amongst the identified Goodwill organizations.

Ohio Valley Goodwill thanks The Standard and their employees for their generous contributions during the Holiday season towards the organization’s mission of service to the Greater Cincinnati community and the men and women it supports. The Employee Giving Campaign effort of The Standard is a wonderful example of how easy it is to give this holiday season and throughout the year.

Ohio Valley Goodwill celebrated the holiday season in style with its annual luncheon event on Wednesday, December 7th sponsored by the Goodwill Service Guild.  Held at the corporate facility in the Village of Woodlawn, the annual event serves over 800 program participants, employees and volunteers and is catered by the organization’s Food Services Training team under the direction of Chef Alison McElfresh.  Helping with the preparation and presentation are the many Service Guild volunteers who work hard to serve and make the event a festive and fun occasion each year.

Providing entertainment again this year was local musician Mark Macomber, a long-time community volunteer and supporter of Goodwill.  Guests enjoyed singing along with traditional carols and sounds of the season during the lunchtime program.  “The annual holiday luncheon has become a tradition at Goodwill for all of us and we appreciate the Service Guild for their support of this event,” remarked Joe Byrum, President and CEO.

Ohio Valley Goodwill thanks the Service Guild for their sponsorship of the annual luncheon and their ongoing support of the programs and services at the organization.

Ohio Valley Goodwill and its staff team were delighted to be selected for recognition at the 2011 Southwest Ohio Rehabilitation Association (SWORA) Awards event held on Friday, December 2nd.  Goodwill was selected as the 2011 Rehabilitation Organization of the Year as a result of its outstanding record of service to people with disabilities during the year. Presented by Goodwill Board member Charlie Wright, the organization was honored by the esteemed recognition provided by an organization like SWORA that represents rehabilitation excellence.

In addition, Ohio Valley Goodwill was very pleased that long-time Work Evaluation Senior Case Manager Stephanie Eppley was selected for recognition as the “Rehabilitation Practitioner of the Year.”  This award is presented to an individual whose energy and expertise have inspired professionals and others in the field of rehabilitation.  Eppley has served as a well-respected Work Evaluator for more than 20 years for Goodwill.

The organization was further honored to be selected for recognition as offering the “Rehabilitation Program of the Year,” which is given to an innovative program serving individuals with disabilities which has helped the community.  Goodwill’s Job Placement Services under the leadership of Manager Marty Caffery was singled out for the award.

“Ohio Valley Goodwill is very proud of its record of outstanding services to individuals with disabilities in the Greater Cincinnati community,” said President and CEO Joe Byrum.  “We are very honored to receive this important recognition from SWORA and are delighted that our Job Placement and Work Evaluation staff were recognized as well,” added Byrum.

Tha annual Awards Luncheon is held to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of rehabilitation each year.  More than 60 attendees participated in this year’s event which was held at the Clovernook Country Club and 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.

Ohio Valley Goodwill congratulates all of the 2011 SWORA Award honorees as as all of those in attendance for their important contributions to the Rehabilitation field.