"Ohio Valley Goodwill Hosts 10th Annual Homeless Awareness Dinner"

For the 10th year in a row, Ohio Valley Goodwill was pleased to partner with the Sharonville Convention Center in hosting the annual Homeless Awareness dinner on Wednesday, December 14th.   The annual tradition is planned and coordinated by staff members of Goodwill’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project (HVRP) team.   This year’s holiday celebration welcomed over 400 individuals from area shelters including the YMCA, Tom Geiger House, Anna Louise Inn, Salvation Army, Joseph House, First Step Inn, Inter Faith, Drop Inn Center, Mt. Airy Shelter, VA Dom, and Goodwill Dorm.   This year’s special guests included  65 children under the age of eight and a total of 95 children. For the past 10 years, Ohio Valley Goodwill has partnered with the Sharonville Convention Center, Village Pantry Catering and owner Tom Ward on this memorable event which provides a holiday meal with all the trimings, entertainment and gifts for each guest.    While Ohio Valley Goodwill only provides direct services to a small percentage of each year’s guests, the organization sponsors the annual event to reach out to all those struggling with homelessnes during the holiday season. “We are thankful to have the opportunity to provide this wonderful dinner during the holiday season for these families,” said Charlie Blythe, HVRP Grants Director.   “We appreciate the generous sponsorship of the Sharonville Convention Center and Tom Ward in making the Homeless Awareness Dinner the success that it has been for the past ten years.” Each year, Ohio Valley Goodwill serves more than  500 individuals challenged with homelessness in the Greater Cincinnati community.   Community donations make it possible for the organization to provide skill training and employment services to help people to get jobs and permanent places to live.   Goodwill is grateful for the on-going generosity of the Greater Cincinnati community which has allowed the organization to fulfill its important mission of service for the past 95 years.