Goodwill Industries Akron - Celebration of Champions

Photos from the
2009 Celebration
of Champions

Kevin Kaufman, Samaritan Care Center; Bonnie Abel; Kayla Shields; Nan McClenaghan, Goodwill.

Pedro Barnes, Goodwill; Jennifer Cales, Automated Packaging Systems; Ohio Rep. Kathleen Chander.

Nan McClenaghan, Goodwill; Gloria Nelson; Phil Stauffer, Goodwill.

Rich Fein, Sierra Club; Nan McClenaghan, Goodwill; Jeff Sibley, Goodwill.

Nan McClenaghan, Goodwill; Dave Sabo; Ohio Rep. Kathleen Chandler; Jaime Nichols, Goodwill.

Nan McClenaghan, Goodwill; Jeff Jones; Melissa Fite, Goodwill.

Nan McClenaghan, Goodwill; Scott Speer, Repair Products Unlimited; Joe Jordan, Goodwill.

Nan McClenaghan, Goodwill; Carol Crabtree, FedEx Custom Critical; Tysha Ross, Goodwill; John Matuza, FedEx Custom Critical.

Nan McClenaghan, Goodwill; John Steger; Joe Jordan, Goodwill.

Nan McClenaghan, Goodwill; Phillip Jackson, Coleman Data Solutions; Marianne Riggenbach, Goodwill.

Each year, Goodwill Industries recognizes true employment champions during Goodwill Week. Successful program participants, as well as employers from across the region and community partners, are honored for their exemplary efforts which turned possibilities into reality.

2010 Celebration of Champions Recognition Ceremony

In 2010, Goodwill will present awards to honor these "employment champions" at a “Celebration of Champions” recognition ceremony at its Akron facility on Waterloo Road. Details are coming soon!

2009 Celebration of Champions Recognition Ceremonies

In 2009, Goodwill presented awards to honor these "employment champions" at numerous “Celebration of Champions” recognition ceremonies in Summit County, Medina County, and Portage County.

Summit County Celebration of Champions - May 6 & 14, 2009

On May 6, the Fairlawn Rotary Club hosted Goodwill's recognition ceremony during its regular breakfast meeting where Goodwill honored the following Summit County Employer and Community Partner:

• Repair Products Unlimited (based in Akron)

• Sierra Club, Portage Trail Group

On May 14, the Downtown Akron Kiwanis hosted Goodwill’s recognition ceremony during its regular lunch meeting where Goodwill honored the following Summit County Program Participants and Employers:

• Jeff Jones of Akron

• Gloria Nelson of Akron

• John Steger of Akron

• Coleman Data Solutions (based in Akron)

• FedEx Custom Critical (based in Uniontown)

Goodwill Industries President & CEO Nancy Ellis McClenaghan was the featured speaker for each Celebration of Champions recognition ceremony, where she highlighted the agency’s 2008 record-setting service numbers and shared information about Goodwill and services that the agency provides to residents of its five-county region (including Summit, Portage, Medina, Ashland, and Richland). During the ceremony, each honoree “champion” was presented with a medal after the speaker read the honorees’ success stories.

Medina County Celebration of Champions - June 2, 2009

On June 2, the Medina Sunrise Rotary hosted Goodwill’s recognition ceremony during its regular breakfast meeting where Goodwill honored the following Medina County Program Participants and Employers:

• Bonnie Abel of Medina

• Kayla Shields of Medina

• Samaritan Care Center (based in Medina)

• Streetside Cafe (based in Medina)

Portage County Celebration of Champions - May 5 & 21, 2009

On May 5, Goodwill hosted a breakfast-before-business recognition ceremony at the Streetsboro Goodwill Store where the agency honored the following Portage County Community Partner:

• Automated Packaging Systems (based in Streetsboro)

On May 21, the Kent Kiwanis hosted Goodwill’s recognition ceremony during its regular evening meeting where Goodwill honored the following Portage County Program Participant:

• Dave Sabo of Ravenna

Other Celebration of Champions Ceremonies in 2009

On May 1, Goodwill hosted a recognition ceremony with Goodwill employees at both the Akron Goodwill Store and the Ashland Goodwill Store to honor two youth program participants for their achievements.

On May 15, Goodwill team members including President and CEO Nancy Ellis McClenaghan and Employer Relations Representative Jacquie Walker presented Celebration of Champion Program Participant Honoree James Williams from Ashland, with a medal commemorating his achievements.

Special Thank You to 2009 Celebration of Champions Hosts and Sponsors

Goodwill would like to thank the Fairlawn Rotary Club, the Downtown Akron Kiwanis, the Kent Kiwanis, and the Medina Sunrise Rotary for their hospitality in hosting the Celebration of Champions events. In addition, Goodwill would like to thank its annual sponsors, which include Silver-level - McNemer Realty Holding LLC; National City; and OMNOVA Solutions, Inc. / Bronze-level – Bober, Markey, Fedorovich; Brockman, Coats, Gedelian & Co.; Fifth Third Bank; Meaden & Moore; Roetzel & Andress; and Welty Building Company, Ltd / In-kind – The Civic Theatre; Shulan’s Jewelers; and The Tangier / Media Partner – Rubber City Radio Group

Goodwill Industries of Akron’s mission is to help individuals prepare for, find, and retain employment.