"CARA Celebrates Leadership of Retiring Executive Director"

As a founding member of the Community Ambassadors Resource Alliance (CARA), Ohio Valley Goodwill’s representative, Marketing Specialist, Sharon Hannon, joined with other current and past partners to recognize the extraordinary leadership of Executive Director, Kate Hawkins, who is retiring on November 30th. The CARA group is affiliated with long-time Goodwill partner, Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS) and is a non-profit group composed of 15 agencies all dedicated towards raising funds to enrich the lives of people with developmental disabilities. Hawkins has been President and Executive Director since the group began in 2004. The CARA group has helped hundreds of people by providing funds for life-enriching activities that they would otherwise not be able to experience like trips to the Zoo or attending dance classes. The CARA group plans and hosts a series of fund-raising events throughout the year in order to make its mission possible. The annual events include Salon Nights Out, Fabulous Faux Furs, Wheels for Wishes and more. During Levy campaign years, all of CARA’s efforts go towards raising funds to support the Levy which provides the essential funding for individuals served by Hamilton County DD Services and its partner agencies. “Kate is a wonderful person and has been an inspiring leader for the CARA group,” said Sharon Hannon, Marketing Specialist. “We will miss her but will continue to support CARA’s important mission,” added Hannon. HCDDS Family Liaison, Lynne Calloway, will now serve as the official CARA Board Director and will work collaboratively with current President Debbie Moorehous and Vice-President Niel Hartman along with the other partner members. Ohio Valley Goodwill thanks retiring Executive Director Kate Hawkins for her service to CARA and the hundreds of individuals whose lives she has helped to enrich. To find out more information about CARA, please visit www.caragroup.org.