2015 Thanksgiving Day Race Lives Up to Goal of Giving 100% to Goodwill!
For the sixth year in a row, Ohio Valley Goodwill was pleased to be a featured partner at the annual Thanksgiving Day Race in downtown Cincinnati. This year’s race lived up to all expectations as more than 15,000 runners gathered for this year’s race at Paul Brown Stadium. Ohio Valley Goodwill was there to greet them at the Start where the organization was hosting one of two donation stations for this year’s event. Positioned at both the Stadium and Mile 2, Team Goodwill cheerleaders were enthusiastically applauding runners and encouraging donations while showing off their blue and white scarves, fleece and gloves, all donned in honor of the organization’s 100th anniversary celebration taking place in 2016. Thanks to the generosity of this year’s race participants, Goodwill collected lots of coats, scarves, hats and other cold weather gear.
As in previous years, Thanksgiving race participants had the chance to enjoy the performance of Michael Flannery and Mark Macomber who entertained the crowd with their musical talents. This is also the sixth year that the duo has volunteered their time to be part of the Goodwill donation drive effort. “We love being part of the Thanksgiving Day race and the Goodwill donation drive,” said Michael Flannery, Public Information Officer. “It’s an opportunity for everyone in Cincinnati to give 100% in support of Goodwill’s mission of putting people to work in our community,” added Flannery. Goodwill’s enthusiastic group of volunteer cheerleaders also helped to inspire the runners as they ran past, tossing donations into the Goodwill barrels along the way. ” We could not be more grateful for the support and generosity of the wonderful runners and walkers during this important holiday time of the year,” said Sharon Hannon, Goodwill Marketing Manager and event coordinator.
This year’s Thanksgiving Day race was especially meaningful as it serves as the prelude for the occasion of Ohio Valley Goodwill’s celebration of its 100th anniversary of service in Greater Cincinnati. Over its almost 100 year history, the organization has helped thousands of people with disabilities and our nation’s veterans to get jobs and achieve personal success. The start of the New Year will serve as the official launch of the centennial celebration. Goodwill’s on-going partnership with the annual Thanksgiving Day race not only helps to build community awareness of the public’s ability to actively contribute towards helping the people that the organization serves but also, reminds them about choosing to recycle responsibly. Recognized by Hamilton County Recycling for “Excellence in Re-Use,” Goodwill is responsible for helping to recycle and divert more than 45,000,000 pounds of donated items from area landfills annually.
Team Goodwill was pleased by all the generous donations of participants. Proceeds from the sale of these generously donated items are used to support the organization’s mission of putting people with disabilities and our nation’s veterans to work in our community. Last year, Goodwill helped more than 3,400 people through its programs and services and almost 1000 individuals to obtain jobs.
Our thanks to the 106th Western and Southern Thanksgiving Day Race and the 15,000 runners and walkers for their support of Ohio Valley Goodwill. We are grateful that you gave 100% to the race and to Goodwill! Happy Thanksgiving Wishes to all!
To donate to Goodwill, visit www.cincinnatigoodwill.org/donate. You’ll be glad you did!
