Goodwill Board Member Receives 2016 Pillar Award for Community Service!

At an elaborate ceremony held at the Duke Energy Convention Center on  the evening of January 14th, Ohio Valley Goodwill Board of Directors member, Joe Walter received The 2016 Medical Mutual Pillar Awards for Community Service. Walter was nominated by Goodwill President and CEO, Joe Byrum.

Charlie Wright, Goodwill Board Chairman with Joe Walter, Pillar Honoree and Joe Byrum, CEO.

The Medical Mutual Pillar Award for Community Service, presented by Smart Business, honors businesses of all types and sizes that make outstanding contributions to their community. Its purpose is to encourage a charitable environment, recognize creative efforts that make a difference and demonstrate the ties between the for-profit and nonprofit worlds.

Walter has served as a member of the Goodwill Board of Directors for 15 years. As a former Cincinnati Bengal, Walter acts as the organizational spokesperson in support of the organization’s weekly Auto Auction program on its television commercials as well as the chair of the annual celebrity golf outing which has raised almost $400,000 in support of the organization’s mission of putting people with disabilities and our nation’s veterans to work.

“While we appreciate all of Joe’s contributions to Ohio Valley Goodwill and our mission of service in the Greater Cincinnati community, it is especially  important  to us that he receive this honor during the kick-off of our 100th anniversary celebration,” said Joe Byrum, President and CEO. “We honor Joe not only for his dedication to the Goodwill mission, we also appreciate his personal commitment to the individuals with disabilities that the organization serves,” added Byrum.

During his remarks, Joe Walter commented that he was grateful to Goodwill for the opportunity to be the celebrity spokesman for an organization that he believes in so much. “It may sound strange that just by getting rid of your old car, you can actually help someone get a job in our community but at Goodwill, that is the real story. I am proud to be a member of the organization’s board of directors and excited about the celebration of 100 years of helping people go to work. It is thanks to community support and generous donations that Goodwill is able to do its important work,” said Walter.

Each year, Goodwill provides more than 3400 people with training and employment services and last year, helped almost 1000 to get jobs in the Greater Cincinnati. During the celebration of our 100th anniversary of service, we salute Joe Walter on being recognized with the 2016 Nonprofit Board Executive of the Year award. We also  thank SmartBusiness Magazine and Medical Mutual for their sponsorship of the Community Pillar Awards.

To find out more about Ohio Valley Goodwill’s 100th anniversary of service, visit www.cincinnatigoodwill.org/about.

To congratulate Joe in person, please join us for our 100th anniversary version of the Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing on June 9th! Walter will be reprising his role as Honorary Chairman for the 16th time this year! To find out more visit www.cincinnatigoodwill.org/event and mark your calendars for June 9th!

Joe Walter with wife Shelly at Pillar Awards.

Shelly Walter, Joe Walter and Joe Byrum, at Pillar Awards.