Goodwill Volunteer Service Guild Honors Veterans at Annual Luncheon Event

Annually, Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Volunteer Service Guild hosts a special Veterans Day luncheon event to honor our military heroes. Held at the organization’s headquarters, the festive event is an opportunity to formally thank our military men and women for their service to our country. Another highlight of the Veterans Day luncheon is the presentation of the “Distinguished Veterans Award” to a pre-selected recipient who has achieved personal success. This year’s recipient, Mr. Ron Combs, was not able to attend the luncheon for medical reasons but was presented with his well deserved honor during a ceremony held at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center on November 2nd. City of Cincinnati Councilmember, Kevin Flynn was on hand to make the formal award presentation.

The presentation was filmed for the purpose of sharing at the Guild’s Veterans Day Luncheon event and the remarks of Cincinnati Councilmember Flynn and honoree, Ron Combs were just as poignant as when they were originally delivered. Councilmember Flynn noted Goodwill’s more than a century of service to people with disabilities and our nation’s veterans. He also talked about the importance and dignity of work for all people facing challenges to employment. He then described Ron’s story of personal success and presented him with the 2017 “Distinguished Veterans Award.”

In turn, Ron’s comments in accepting the award were heart-felt and compelling. He shared his personal story and credited Ohio Valley Goodwill with helping him to get the help he needed to now celebrate almost ten years of employment. He indicated that through his own journey, he learned about his true calling- serving people with developmental disabilities. He also encouraged veterans to seek help when they need it and find their own personal story of success.

After the sharing of the video, Sue Burreson, Guild President, explained that a past member of the Volunteer Service Guild, Jane Kreps, had created the idea for the annual Veterans Day Luncheon. The Jane Kreps Memorial Fund also provides a check for the chosen honoree each year.

As always, today’s Veterans luncheon event was truly memorable not only for the Veterans in attendance but also, because of the celebration of human triumph. As part of its mission of helping people with disabilities and our nation’s veterans to get jobs, Goodwill proudly offers employment, skill training, housing and case management assistance to thousands of veterans as they successfully re-integrate into the local community.

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 900 veterans and their families. Since the early 1990″²s, the organization has helped more than 7000 veterans to receive assistance with transitional and permanent housing, skill training, job placement assistance as well as case management support.
On this Veterans Day and every day, Ohio Valley Goodwill salutes our military heroes; our nation’s veterans. This year, the organization is delighted to congratulate 2017 honoree, Ron Combs, on his proud service to our country and personal success. Our most sincere thanks to the Goodwill Service Guild volunteers on their sponsorship and hosting of this year’s Veterans Day luncheon in honor of our Veterans.