"Team Goodwill" and Star Matt Graves Train for 2011 Thanksgiving Day Race!"

  Team Goodwill with Star Matt Graves! This year’s version of “Team Goodwill” is composed of 10 Goodwill runners and the 2011 Star of the team is Matt Graves, who is a participant in the organization’s Westwood Training program. This is the second year that Ohio Valley Goodwill has been a featured partner in the annual Thanksgiving Day Race which this year again, will involve the sponsorship of two donation stations; one at the start of the race and one at mile two. Matt and the other members of “Team Goodwill” led by captain, Ann Walters have been training for months for the 6.2 mile race which will take place early on Thanksgiving morning. Matt was interviewed by Goodwill Public Information Officer, Michael Flannery on video regarding his training and his story can be viewed on Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cincigoodwill. The theme for this year’s event is “I Really Can” and no one demonstrates that passion more than Matt does. Goodwill felt that the theme this year really reflected what the organization is all about- helping individuals with disabilities discover that they really can- each and every day. Goodwill also has 34 volunteers that will man the two Donation Stations, one at the start of the race and one at Mile 2. The donation stations will be lined with “I Really Can Cans” where racers can drop off their unwanted coats, hats, gloves and other items as they warm up during the Race. “Goodwill’s team is so excited about this year’s Thanksgiving Day Race,” said Ann Walters, Team Captain. “We’re going to have people out there cheering on the runners with banners made by our CARE program participants, music and everything else we can think of to show our support of the runners  as they race by and toss things into the “I Really Can Cans,” added Walters. Ohio Valley Goodwill is very proud of all the members of “Team Goodwill” as they prepare for this year’s Thanksgiving Day Race and invites everyone in Greater Cincinnati to show they really can on Thanksgiving Day morning by doing their best and by giving to Goodwill.