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When you contribute to Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio, your dollars, donations and volunteer time support Goodwill's mission to help disabled people and those with barriers to employment find work.
 The Ability To Work Again
Having the ability to work again and make a living is something that John Dillon treasures. "I like the people I'm working with and being able to keep busy," said Dillon recently about his job at Goodwill.
John was originally referred to Goodwill by the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR). After completing a Community Based Assessment he worked a short time in Janitorial Services doing clean-up at festivals and also a slight time in the Goodwill's computer recycling program, Reconnect. But John has found a home reconditioning vacuum cleaners in Goodwill's Vaccraft program where he has worked since May of this year.
Say's John, "I'm really handy with my hands and this has been a good thing. I enjoy it."
Prior to coming to Goodwill, John had worked as maintenance and lawn care for a Toledo area trailer park, and also as a custodian for a local café. But now, on his feet and making ends meet, John sees a future with Goodwill as the Vaccraft program expands.
The best part says John, "everyone here is friendly and helps you if you need it."
Goodwill Auto Auction’s Dynamic Duo
Since it began in 2006, Goodwill’s Auto Auction has enjoyed much success, but that’s especially true this year. Over the last 12 months, the auction has benefited by the hard work of two long-time Goodwill employees--regional operations and auto auction manager, Casey Holmes, and receptionist/communications specialist, Sandy Harcourt.
Beginning last fall, Sandy has operated as the auction’s front-line of communications, handling as many as 10 inquires each day regarding possible donations. She takes the initial calls; answering questions, taking information and working with the donor through all the steps necessary for title transfer. Goodwill has a towing company pick-up all the cars that are donated, so Sandy also coordinates the towing between the donor and tow company.
Once the vehicle’s keys are in hand, Sandy delivers them, and the title work, to Casey, the other part of the equation for success. Casey logs and tracks all the information in the agencies information system, and works with the title office on completing the transfers. She then coordinates the auction itself and contacts the vehicle’s donor via mail regarding the sale price the car brought at auction. This is the amount the donor can claim as a tax deduction.
 "I really enjoy doing this," says Casey. "I get to hear comments from people like, I'm glad I no longer have to take the bus to work." or, "Now I finally have a van to transport my children around in."
Casey also credits Jet's Towing Service for helping with the auction's success. They have done a great job and donate so much of their time and help. We are really thankful for what they do for us."
The latest auto auction in March had the highest attendance to date, raising more than $23,500 for Goodwill's job training and placement programs.
When asked if she has anything she wants the public to know, Casey replied, "If you need a good work car, come to the auction. We'll be happy to help you!"
And, if you're interesting in donating, just call Sandy at 419-255-0070. She'd love to talk to you.
 Stanley Page
When Stanley Page was young, many people believed his developmental delays would leave him incapable of learning. But in the late 1970s, after a referral from the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR), Stanley completed Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio’s vocational evaluation and, then, successfully completed Job Seeking Skills Training. He furthered his skills through training in Goodwill’s former cafeteria kitchen, janitorial program and industrial contracts department.
In 1980, Stanley got his first job, working on various “piece” projects for Goodwill’s industrial contracts program; and, soon after, he became the department’s material handler. All the while, Stanley kept furthering himself by learning how to read from a tutor that visited Goodwill on a weekly basis.
The industrial contracts department declined over the years, eventually closing in 2005. Stanley accepted the challenge and made a successful transition to employment in Goodwill’s janitorial contracts program. He now works in janitorial at Toledo, Ohio’s U.S. Customs and Courthouse and for Schrader Tire and Oil, also in Toledo.
Having overcome many obstacles in his life, Stanley lives independently and was married a few years ago. He has been with Goodwill for 27 years, over a third of the agency’s existence.
 Stephanie Westfall
Goodwill is Stephanie’s world,” according to one of her past supervisors. In 1984, when Stephanie Westfall’s developmental delays first brought her to Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio for a work evaluation, she lived at home with her parents. In her first job as a processor for one of Goodwill’s retail stores, she learned to sort donations and prepare them for the sales floor.
Stephanie then was hired into Goodwill’s industrial contracts department, where she did a variety of hands-on projects such as packaging pudding packs. But, Stephanie’s real expertise was working in retail as a processor. As the industrial contract jobs wound down, she transferred back into retail to work at the Reynolds Road store in Toledo, Ohio.
Over the years, her job has given Stephanie the ability to become independent. She now lives in and maintains her own apartment and each day takes a one-and-one-half hour bus ride to and from work. She looks forward to and attends all of Goodwill’s special events and employee functions.
 Brian Fitch
In 1979, Brian Fitch was struck by a car while riding his bicycle to work. The accident left him with a spinal fracture and unable to walk. For the next decade, Brian focused on rebuilding his physical strength, while living on Social Security.
His determination to be self-sufficient brought him to Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio in 1995. He received training in accounting and other business skills and was helped by the agency’s community employment program.
In 1997 Brian was hired as a compliance specialist for Sky Financial Group in Bowling Green, Ohio. He has held this position through the Sky Financial’s merger with Huntington Bank and still serves in that capacity.
Since first becoming involved with Goodwill, Brian has married and has volunteered many times to give Goodwill testimonials and appear in television commercials.
 Billy Ball
This highly decorated special Olympian has been just as successful in the world of work as he has been in competitive athletics. Billy Ball is developmentally delayed but received a strong foundation for success from Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio.
In 1989, the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) referred Billy to Goodwill’s janitorial training program. Upon his graduation, he went to work for Foodtown Supermarkets. After five years with Foodtown, Billy went to work for Lott Industries’ grounds-keeping crew; a job he held until eventually being hired as grounds-keeping assistant by Sylvania’s Flower Hospital.
Over the years, Billy has been active in the life of Flower Hospital, donating and helping with blood drives and many other programs. He has been Flower’s Employee of the Month and is often featured in the hospital’s newsletter because of his success in Special Olympics, in which he has won many gold medals as well as played on the United States National Softball Team.
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