Ohio Valley Goodwill Presents the 2023 Community Homeless Awareness Dinner!
For the first time in three years, Ohio Valley Goodwill was pleased to have the opportunity to present the 2023 Community Homeless Awareness Dinner at the Sharonville Convention Center. Held during the evening of December 12th, this year’s event welcomed almost 300 guests from area homeless shelters along with Goodwill team members. Held for almost 20 years prior to the pandemic, the annual dinner brings together individuals and families for a fabulous holiday dinner and special activities including a visit from Santa Claus. The Sharonville Convention Center and Spectra Food Services work very hard in partnership with Goodwill to organize this important evening which includes volunteers from the staff of the two organizations.
Local news stations were on hand to cover the 2023 Community Homeless Awareness Dinner including WLWT News 5 and WCPO Channel 9. Goodwill Public Information Officer, Michael Flannery was interviewed about the importance of the 2023 event. “Ohio Valley Goodwill is so pleased that we were able to sponsor the Community Homeless Awareness Dinner event this year- after three years of not being able to do so. Community outreach and enhancing awareness is part of our mission of service.” For more than a century, Goodwill’s mission has been to assist our nation’s veterans as well as others challenged with homelessness to find permanent housing and attain economic self-sufficiency through the power of work. Last year alone, Ohio Valley Goodwill served almost 400 veterans in helping them to achieve independence and overall, more than 2000 people through its employment, training and community integration programs.
The annual community celebration offers a traditional holiday meal with all the trimmings, a DJ spinning tunes, a special appearance by Santa’s Goody Bag Band and an extra special visit from Santa for all of the many children in attendance. Ohio Valley Goodwill is so pleased to be able to present this holiday tradition held in support of individuals and families faced with the challenge of homelessness again this year. Transportation to the Sharonville Convention Center for participants is coordinated by Goodwill’s Veterans team which helps to bring individuals and families to the center. Busses were provided by Petermann Transportation and help individuals from local homeless shelters to attend this special event.
An important part of this wonderful evening is always the many volunteers who help to serve the dinner and make participants feel welcome for the holiday celebration. Volunteers for the 2023 event included Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Leadership team, Board Chairman Bill Courtney and his wife, Dr. Manning as well as the organization’s Veteran Services team.
The attendees currently receive support from the following organizations including: Anna Louise Inn, Bethany House, Talbert House, Joseph House, Shelterhouse-Barron Center and Marie Hatton, Lighthouse Youth, Volunteers of America and Goodwill’s Transitional Dormitory.
Ohio Valley Goodwill is grateful to the Sharonville Convention Center, Spectra Food Services, Santa’s Goody Bag Band and all of the many partners who assist with the Community Homeless Awareness Dinner to support individuals and families facing the challenge of homelessness. To find out more about Ohio Valley Goodwill’s programs and services for individuals challenged with homelessness, please visit our website at www.cincinnatigoodwill/services
