Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

Ohio Valley Goodwill’s corporate headquarters in Woodlawn served as the host location for a 2-day Self-Defense seminar on June 18 and 20th, in partnership with the Woodlawn Police department. The organization’s Human Resources team coordinated the event which welcomed 20 guests to the series. Each 3 hour seminar included an informative overview of possible self-defense scenarios followed by a hands-on session of defensive moves designed to help students get away from an attacker.

The organization was pleased to welcome Grand Master Calvin Campbell from the Screaming Eagle Martial Arts Academy (Trotwood, Ohio) and Detective Chris Pitsch from the Woodlawn Police force to Goodwill for the important seminar. “It really was an informative and interesting way to learn about ways to protect yourself in a variety of situations,” said Amber King, HR Manager. Ohio Valley Goodwill has a long-standing positive cooperative working relationship with the Woodlawn Police Department as well as with Detective Pitsch and his team.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is proud of its community outreach and educational efforts in partnership with its civic partners. Our thanks to the Woodlawn Police Department, Officer Pitsch and Grand Master Calvin Campbell and the Screaming Eagle Martial Arts Academy for their sponsorship of this important event.

L to R: Sharon Hannon, CARA President, presenting I-Pad3 to the Aspinall family, Ann, Dave and Eric.

As a founding member of the Community Ambassadors Resource Alliance or CARA, Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to be part of the formal presentation of a brand new iPad 3 to the Aspinall family; winners of the 2012 “Wheels for Wishes” raffle which took place on June 2nd. The 7th annual celebration is the signature fund-raising event for CARA whose mission is to enrich the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. The formal presentation took place at Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS) headquarters; a long-time Goodwill partner and the county agency affiliated with the CARA group.

Current CARA President, Sharon Hannon, Goodwill Marketing Specialist, had the honor of presenting the iPad 3 to the Aspinall family, who were very pleased and surprised to have been selected as the winner. “We love to support CARA and their mission but we never win anything so we were shocked when Kate called us,” said Ann Aspinall, mother. Son Eric is a student at Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services Fairfax School. Also, in attendance at the presentation were proud father, Dave Aspinall, Kathy Johnson, CARA partner, and Kate Hawkins, CARA Executive Director.

CARA is a non-profit group composed of 15 partner organizations all dedicated to fund-raising efforts to enrich the lives of people with developmental disabilities. Ohio Valley Goodwill is proud to be an active partner of the CARA group and a supporter of its community outreach efforts. For more information about CARA, please visit www.caragroup.org

L to R: Kathy Johnson, CARA partner, Ann Aspinall, Parent, Dave Aspinall, Parent, Kate Hawkins, CARA Exec Director, Sharon Hannon, CARA President and Eric Aspinall (front).

Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to welcome hundreds of friends, sponsors, and supporters to its 2012 Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing held on Thursday, June 14th at the beautiful Glenview Golf Club. Players began the event-filled day being greeted enthusiastically by CARE volunteers who cheered each new arrival and posed with celebrity guests. For the past several years, participants in the organization’s Center for Advocacy, Recreation and Education program (CARE), have served as the official greeters for the annual Goodwill Golf Outing and are much looked forward to by celebrity guests as well as players. After collecting this year’s goodie bags which included a new pair of Nike golf shoes, players gathered to hear remarks from Honorary Chairman, Joe Walter before starting their round of play. “We want to thank our 2012 Title Sponsor Hubbard Interactive as well as Presenting Sponsors MVD Communications and US Bank for their support of the 2012 Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing,” said Walter. “It is through their support as well as that of our generous friends that we are able to make this outing such a great success,” added Walter.

This year’s golfers enjoyed the beautiful weather, sunny skies and challenge of the well-maintained and scenic course. This year’s Grill Station sponsor, Village Pantry Catering, offered hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, fruit and even delicious brownies for the hungry golfers at the Club House and on all 9 holes. They also welcomed the occasional chance for CARE volunteers to finish their putts for them and pose for photos. Long-time Hole-in-One sponsor, McCluskey Chevrolet once again provided the beautiful Corvette, Camaro and this year, Chevy Volt parked at strategic locations along the course.

Following the completion of play, golfers gathered around the site of the 2012 version of the Spectacular Helicopter Ball Drop and watched with fascination as the helicopter piloted by Stratus dropped hundreds of golf balls in preparation for the official selection of the $2500 Grand Prize winner. Honorary Chairman Joe Walter, Co-host Stephanie Mitchell and Coordinator Doug Ostholthoff picked out the winning golf ball in preparation for the big announcement at dinner.

Golfers were then treated to a wonderful feast prepared by Dinner Sponsor, Lother’s Catering, which featured carved Steamboat Round, Pork Tenderloin and Grilled Chicken Breast with green beans, gourmet macaroni and cheese, red skin potatoes as well as mashed potatoes and was presented in appealing fashion on two different buffet tables. While enjoying their dinner, guests were able to watch a 2012 mission video produced by Goodwill Public Information Officer, Michael Flannery, which talked about the organization’s impact in the community when people are put to work. “The idea for this year’s video was to tailor it specifically for our audience and to make it relevant in today’s business environment,” explained Flannery.

The debut of the 2012 video was followed by the announcement of the silent auction winners and awards presentation facilitated by Honorary Chairman Joe Walter aided by Ms. Stephanie Mitchell, Co-host and Advocate.  In addition, Walter cordially thanked his celebrity guests for their participation in the Goodwill outing. This year’s luminaries included Dave Lapham, Byron Larkin, Jim Breech, David Fulcher, Robert Jackson, Brad Johansen, Bruce Kozerski, George Vogel and Ickey Woods among other local celebrities. This year’s Goodwill outing was also graced by the participation of several members of long-time partner Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS) team who served as volunteers for the annual event.

Ohio Valley Goodwill wishes to thank 2012 Presenting Sponsors Hubbard Interactive, MVD Communications and US Bank for their support of the 2012 Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing as well as Gold Sponsors Frost Brown Todd, JOB Trailer, Riverpoint Capitol, Superior Automotive Group, Tape Products, WCPO and Wells Fargo. In addition, Goodwill is grateful to Beverage Sponsor Palmer Leasing, Cart Sponsor Rumpke, Grill Station Sponsor Village Pantry Catering, Dinner Sponsor Lother’s Catering, Signage Sponsor Holthaus Lackner Signs, Hole-in-One Sponsor McCluskey Chevrolet and of course, Celebrity Host Joe Walter and co-host Ms. Stephanie Mitchell.

L to R: Doug Ostholthoff, CFO, Aimee Rittner, Supervisor, Donna Stollings, Advocate and Congressman Steve Chabot.

L to R: Aimee Rittner, Supervisor, Donna Stollings, Advocate, Congresswoman Jean Schmidt and Doug Ostholthoff, CFO.

Ohio Valley Goodwill team members, Doug Ostholthoff, CFO, Aimee Rittner, Supervisor, and Donna Stollings, Advocate, were excited to be part of the 2012 AbilityOne Grassroots Advocacy Conference held in Washington, DC on June 4-7th. As part of the four day event, Goodwill’s team had the opportunity to meet with elected representatives in an effort to educate key members of congress about the AbilityOne program and its importance in employing people with disabilities.

Ohio Valley Goodwill has been an AbilityOne partner agency for more than 20 years and currently performs janitorial work at the John Weld Peck Building, the IRS mailroom and two NIOSH locations in Greater Cincinnati. As a result of this partnership, more than 40 individuals with severe disabilities are currently employed in a variety of positions earning a competitive wage.

Historically, the AbilityOne program was created in 1938 by Congress in order to provide work opportunities for individuals with a variety of disabilities through the Wagner-O’Day act. Known today as the Javits-Wagner-O’Day act, the AbilityOne program is designed to offer employment to individuals with the most significant disabilities.

During the 2012 Grassroots Advocacy Conference, Ohio Valley Goodwill’s team members had the opportunity to meet directly with Senator Sherrod Brown, Representatives Chabot and Schmidt and with an aide from Senator Rob Portman’s office. The purpose of these meetings was to educate the legislators regarding the AbilityOne program; to invite them to tour local AbilityOne partner organizations; and to recruit Members of Congress as AbilityOne Congressional Champions.

“Meeting with our elected representatives was a very beneficial part of the Grassroots Advocacy Conference,” said Aimee Rittner, Goodwill team member. “I was particularly impressed by the close attention they paid to Donna Stollings, who as an advocate was representing all people with disabilities,” added Rittner. The representatives pledged support of legislation that will enable people with the most significant disabilities to continue to be employed through the AbilityOne program. “Overall, Ohio Valley Goodwill’s team felt very positive about the Conference and especially about the success of our meetings with our elected representatives,” said Doug Ostholthoff, CFO.

Organizationally, Ohio Valley Goodwill is committed to on-going legislative advocacy efforts on behalf of the individuals with disabilities it serves.

Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to be a major sponsor of the 7th annual CARA Wheels for Wishes fund-raising event held Saturday, June 2, at Beech Acres Park. The annual family-oriented celebration is the signature event in support of CARA’s (Community Ambassadors Resource Alliance), mission of raising funds to enrich the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. Composed of 15 human service organizations, CARA is affiliated with long-time Goodwill partner, Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS). As a “Big Wheel” sponsor for the past 7 years, Ohio Valley Goodwill is a major co-sponsor of the yearly celebration.

Beautiful blue skies and warm temperatures helped to make the 2012 Wheels for Wishes party a spectacular success, attracting hundreds of friends and supporters. Participants enjoyed the entertainment provided by Melodic Connections, the Catholic Residential Services Choir and Dance Team as well as special featured guest, Jake Ryan, who dazzled the audience with his Michael Jackson-inspired performance. This year’s Wheels for Wishes event welcomed local musician and CARA friend, Mark Macomber as entertainer and emcee who delighted the crowd with his many talents.

Among the many highlights of the day was a special bike decorating booth sponsored by CARA partner, RHC, as well as the Raffle drawing. The 2012 raffle featured 15 themed baskets donated by CARA partners along with special grand prizes including Reds Champion Box seats, a new bicycle and an I-PAD 3. The lovely day, enjoyable musical entertainment and family-oriented fun helped to make this year’s Wheels for Wishes one of the best CARA events ever and Ohio Valley Goodwill is delighted to have been a co-sponsor of the 2012 celebration.