"Ohio Valley Goodwill Joins In Celebrating One Year Anniversary of Donate Movement!"

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