Ohio Valley Goodwill Salutes Veterans on Veterans Day and Every Day!
Wednesday, November 11th marked the official celebration of Veteran’s Day but at Ohio Valley Goodwill, every day is an occasion to celebrate our military service members. For the past twenty-five years, Goodwill has proudly offered employment, skill training, housing and case management assistance to thousands of veterans as they successfully re-integrate into our local community. The organization’s volunteer Service Guild were the planners and charming hosts for this year’s Veteran’s Day luncheon event. A special highlight of the 2015 luncheon was the presentation of an award of honor to long-time Goodwill employee and former Marine, Jesse Walker. One of Goodwill’s living success stories, Walker has been a part of the Goodwill family for more than twenty years. To find out more about Jesse’s story of personal success, http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2015/11/10/once-homeless-veteran-now-helps-others/75552840/ here.
In addition, the Guild was very pleased to welcome Commissioner Greg Hartmann and State Representative Jonathan Dever from the 28th district to this year’s Veteran’s Day luncheon event. Commissioner Hartmann presented Walker with the Distinguished Veteran Alumni Award remarking that this was just a small way to thank a veteran for his service to our country but also, to recognize his story of personal success.
Following Commissioner Hartmann’s presentation, Guild President, Sue Burreson, made a special award presentation in honor of long-time Guild member, Jane Kreps, who served the Goodwill organization for more than 35 years. A past Guild president for two terms, manager of the Guild’s Treasure Island Gift Shop, and the catalyst for the Guild-sponsored Veteran Luncheon events, Jane was an inspiration to all of the Guild members and to the Goodwill organization. A financial gift was presented to Jesse Walter in honor of Jane Kreps legacy of service to Goodwill. Four of Jane’s children were in attendance at today’s luncheon event.
Jesse Walker with Goodwill Distinguished Veteran Alumni Award
During the luncheon, Representative Dever made an appearance and joined in celebrating Goodwill’s mission of service to our nation’s veterans. The Representative has been a supporter of the organization’s mission of service since his first visit to the organization. “I was happy to be able to attend this year’s Veteran’s Day event sponsored by the Goodwill Service Guild,” said Representative Dever. “It is a very appropriate recognition of the outstanding service of our military veterans,” added the Representative.
In the Greater Cincinnati area, Ohio Valley Goodwill has helped thousands of veterans, build their civilian careers. Locally, last year, Ohio Valley Goodwill served more than 800 veterans and their families. Since the early 1990″²s, the organization has helped more than 5000 veterans to receive assistance with transitional and permanent housing, skill training, job placement assistance as well as case management support. ” We are very proud of the quality services that we have been providing for the past twenty-five years for the hundreds of men and women that we have served at Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries,” said Charlie Blythe, Goodwill’s Grants Director.
On this Veteran’s Day and every day, Ohio Valley Goodwill salutes our military heroes; our nation’s veterans. This year, the organization is delighted to congratulate former Marine, Jesse Walker, on his proud service to our country. Our thanks to the Goodwill Service Guild volunteers on their hard work on this year’s Veteran’s Day luncheon in honor of our Veterans.
Commissioner Hartmann with Jesse Walker, Veteran and Michael Flannery
Jesse Walker with Kreps family
Jan Runkle, Chris Buchert, Sue Boas and Cindy Chamlis
Sate Representative Jonathan Dever
Joe Byrum, CEO with Jesse and Commissioner Hartmann
