Ohio Valley Goodwill Celebrates 100th Anniversary and 2016 Partnership with Thanksgiving Day Race!
On the occasion of Ohio Valley Goodwill’s 100th anniversary of service in the Greater Cincinnati community, it seems only fitting that the organization be front and center once again for the annual Thanksgiving Day Race taking place on November 24th. For the past six years, Ohio Valley Goodwill has been the official donation partner for the annual Thanksgiving Day Race with donation stations set up at the start of the race at Paul Brown Stadium as well as at Mile 2. In addition, Goodwill has provided a team of enthusiastic cheerleaders during the race and entertainment by musical volunteers, Mark Macomber and Michael Flannery.
The year’s Thanksgiving Day Race will be especially significant as 2016 marks the official 100th anniversary celebration of Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries. The donation partnership between Goodwill and the annual race has helped to build a reputation as the largest coat donation drive in the country. Thanksgiving Day race enthusiasts are encouraged to bring a cold weather clothing item to donate. In many cases, families that have made the annual Thanksgiving Day Race a tradition will all bring and donate items to support the cause. The total amount of donations collected over the past six years is more than 26,000 pounds of donations which are then used to support Goodwill’s mission of providing employment and training services to people with disabilities and our nation’s veterans in the Greater Cincinnati community.
” We are very excited about our donation partnership this year in particular because it will give us an opportunity to showcase our historic 100th anniversary during this important holiday time of the year,” said Sharon Hannon, Goodwill Marketing Manager and event coordinator. ” The items collected at the race are then sold in our network of Goodwill stores and help to support our mission of putting people to work,” added Hannon.
In honor of the Goodwill centennial celebration, the theme for the donation stations will be ” giving 100%” both in terms of commitment to the race and fitness but also, to our community. Goodwill’s donation trailers will proudly display banners proclaiming the 100th anniversary celebration and Goodwill cheerleaders will model 100th anniversary cold weather gear.
” The best part? It’s the people of Greater Cincinnati who are responsible for changing all those lives,” said Michael Flannery, Goodwill Public Information Officer and long-time race volunteer. “It’s their donations over the past 100 years that have it all possible. And now, the Thanksgiving Day Race is another chance to continue helping our homeless veterans and people with disabilities to get jobs,” added Flannery.
To join Ohio Valley Goodwill for this year’s Thanksgiving Day Race, visit www.thanksgivingdayrace.com and sign up today! Don’t forget to bring a donation in celebration of Goodwill’s 100th anniversary and give this year’s race your 100% effort!
