"Ohio Valley Goodwill Celebrates Cincinnati's Giving Spirit at Thanksgiving Day Race!"

The morning of Thursday, November 22nd not only marked the traditional celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday, it also marked the 3rd year that Ohio Valley Goodwill has been a Donation Sponsor for the annual Thanksgiving Day Race. Held in downtown Cincinnati, Goodwill sponsors two Donation Stations at both the start and Mile 2 along the race course. This year’s theme of Celebrating Cincinnati was expanded by “Team Goodwill” to include “our Spirit of Giving” as thousands of runners gladly donated jackets, coats, scarves and more to the Goodwill cause. More than 40 enthusiastic Goodwill volunteers greeted race participants with spirit signs, noise-makers, cheers and more as they passed by each Donation Station. This year’s “Team Goodwill” participants included volunteers from the organization’s Retail, Donation, Marketing and Veterans Services teams as well as several community volunteers and family members. Racers especially enjoyed the musical inspiration provided by local artist Mark Macomber, long-time Goodwill volunteer, accompanied by Michael Flannery, Public Information Officer. Along with Donation Station volunteers, Ohio Valley Goodwill is proud of its own running team which this year included Ann Walters, Minerva Humita, Tommy Phelan, Nancy Crow, Matthew Fortner, Tammy Case and Cecile. These dynamic runners are members of the organization’s Retail division and also, consistently part of Goodwill’s outreach events. Congratulations on your fabulous achievement again this year!

The Goodwill Donation Drive efforts were this year made even more exciting sparked by an early donation of almost 400 lbs of Eddie Bauer coats three weeks before the event. “Goodwill is thrilled to be part of this great Cincinnati tradition on Thanksgiving morning,” said Sharon Hannon, Marketing Specialist. “We are delighted to join in celebrating Cincinnati and of course, our spirit of giving this year,” added Hannon. As a non-profit organization, Ohio Valley Goodwill’s mission is to help people with disabilities and our nation’s veterans to receive skill training and obtain employment in the Greater Cincinnati area. It is only through the generous donations of the Greater Cincinnati community that the organization is able to serve thousands of individuals each year. In 2011, Goodwill served more than 3100 people and helped 818 to get jobs and attain personal success.

Goodwill Race Volunteer Coordinator Krysta Ryan noted that this year’s Race participants were more generous than ever. “I think people are starting to understand more about the Goodwill partnership and the donation effort,” said Krysta. ” We are so grateful to the runners as well as our volunteers for their wonderful support,” added Ryan. Ohio Valley Goodwill is grateful to its team of volunteers for their outstanding efforts in Celebrating Cincinnati and sharing their spirit of giving on this important holiday. Donations from this year’s Thanksgiving Day Race event totaled 3,440 lbs and will be used to support Ohio Valley Goodwill’s mission of service in the community. Goodwill is grateful to Julie Isphording, Race Organizer and her team, for their on-going support as well as to the Greater Cincinnati community for their generosity this holiday season.