Jr. Group of Goodwill Auction Tickets on Sale

The Annual Junior Group of Goodwill Antique and Collectible

Auction will be held Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5,

2016. The two-day event will be held at Stambaugh Auditorium.

The Junior Group of Goodwill volunteers have been preparing

for months for the auction and are currently accepting donations.

The Friday evening gala begins at 6:30 pm and includes a live

auction of new items donated by area businesses, silent auction,

Chinese auction, basket raffle, jewelry sale, 50/50 raffle, vintage

clothing sale, gift card tree raffle, hors d’oeuvres and cash bar.

Any business, organization or individual is welcome to donate

to the auction. Suggested donations include gift baskets, sports

memorabilia or tickets, concert tickets, hotel or trip opportuni-

ties, jewelry, your company’s products and/or services, collecti-

bles or cash in any amount. Donations valued at $125 or more

entitle the donor to two complimentary tickets to the Friday

evening event. Donors also have the option of giving cash and

having the Junior Group members buy something on their be-

half.

Tickets for the Friday gala are $25.00 each and must be pur-

chased in advance. The deadline for tickets is Monday, February

29. Any tickets, if still available, sold after the deadline are

$30.00. Tickets can be purchased at the eight Youngstown Area

Goodwill stores, online at www.goodwillyoungstown.org or at

the Goodwill offices on Belmont Avenue.

Admission for the Saturday auction is $2.00 at the door, or

free with a ticket stub from the Friday event. Preview of items

on Saturday is at 10am, with bidding to begin at 11am. Last

year, over 500 guests attended Friday and more than 250 attend-

ed Saturday to raise over $65,000 for Goodwill.

All proceeds from the auction go towards supporting Good-

will’s mission of providing job training and employment ser-

vices to people with disabilities and other barriers to employ-

ment such as homelessness, welfare, lack of education or lack

of work experience. Last year, Goodwill assisted over 6,000

people in vocational services, amblyopia screening, social ser-

vices to the visually impaired and Radio Reading services.

Sponsors of this year’s auction include Aim NationaLease,

Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley, Austintown Plaza,

Farmers Trust Company, Gasser Chair Company, Hill Barth &

King, Huntington Bank, Packer Thomas, PNC Bank, Republic

Services, Beard Pension Services, Simon Roofing, Vallourec

Star and VEC, Inc.

If you are interested in making a donation for the auction or

need additional information, please contact Goodwill’s market-

ing department at 330.759.7921, ext. 1207.

A preview of items are on display during last year’s Junior Group of Goodwill Auction at Stambaugh Auditorium. Tickets are now on sale for this year’s event

on March 4 and 5. The two-day event begins on Friday with a gala party that

includes a live auction of new items, a jewelry sale, basket raffle, silent auction and much more. The Saturday event features a live auction of collectible and

antique items collected throughout the year from the eight area Goodwill dona-

tion centers.

Junior Group of Goodwill members Diana Strudwick (left) and Pat Nelms are busy sorting, cleaning and pricing jewelry as they prepare for this year’s Jun-

ior Group of Goodwill Auction. Several thousand unique, vintage and collecti-

ble pieces of jewelry are priced and sold during the two-day event. The jewelry sale portion of the event begins on Friday evening and continues with the re-

maining jewelry pieces on Saturday.

1893 - 2015 Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries, Inc. Volume 32, Number 4

Winter 2015

(continued on page 3)

Make Room for Your New Holiday Gifts

2016 Goodwill Store

50% Off Schedule

The last Friday and Saturday (together)

of every month (note December’s sale

includes Thursday because of the holi-

day) the eight area Goodwill stores

(Austintown, Boardman, Calcutta, Her-

mitage, Liberty, New Castle, Salem

and Warren) hold a 50% off all donat-

ed merchandise sale. Below are the

2016 dates:

January Friday, January 29

Saturday, January 30

February Friday, February 26

Saturday, February 27

March Friday, March 25

Saturday, March 26

April Friday, April 29

Saturday, April 30

May Friday, May 27

Saturday, May 28

June Friday, June 24

Saturday, June 25

July Friday, July 29

Saturday, July 30

August Friday, August 26

Saturday, August 27

September Friday, September 23

Saturday, September 24

October Friday, October 28

Saturday, October 29

November Friday, November 25

Saturday, November 26

December Thursday, December 29

Friday, December 30

Saturday, December 31

If you’re looking to get rid of those holiday gifts that didn’t fit quite right, aren’t

really your style or you simply don’t need, try donating them to Goodwill. Goodwill

will even take those gently used items that you are getting rid of to make room for

those holiday gifts you are keeping.

The winter season is typically a slow period for donations for Goodwill. “People

simply don’t do ‘spring cleaning’ or venture out in the cold weather to drop off dona-

tions. As a result, Goodwill sees a drastic decline in donations over the winter

months,” states, Mike McBride, executive director. It becomes a critical time for

Goodwill Employee Spotlight….Kathy Vlkojan

You hear about personal “rags

to riches” stories all of the time

on TV or in the news. People like

to hear those inspirational tales

of how people go from poverty to

wealth, however this isn’t one of

those. As Kathy recalls her story,

“I tell people I went from riches

to rags. I hit rock bottom, but I’m

ok with that, I will get to where I

need to be in God’s time.”

For years Kathy had been liv-

ing an idyllic life in Pennsylva-

nia. She had a career as a thera-

peutic and emotional support

paraprofessional and was married

with two daughters, Angela and

Krista. “I was at a point in my

life and marriage where I wanted

for nothing,” she says. All of that

changed when her marriage of

thirty-two years ended. “You make plans and life happens,” says Kathy.

After her divorce, Kathy relocated to Niles, Ohio and began renting a duplex. “I was

living next to a family who I became friends with,” explains Kathy. During this time

period, Kathy had been having grand mal seizures and couldn’t live alone, so she

moved in with her new “friends.” “They took advantage of me and my finances and

left me broke,” says Kathy. “I left there and ended up at The Rescue Mission in Octo-

ber of 2014.”

Kathy spent the next 11 months at The Rescue Mission. “It was a blessing,” she says.

“It changed my whole life.” In March of 2015, while staying at The Rescue Mission,

Kathy was referred to Goodwill for their job training and employment programs. She

began in evaluation and entered Goodwill’s work adjustment program where she spent

time meeting with Goodwill’s rehabilitation staff and reintroducing herself into the

workforce. On June 5, 2015, Kathy was hired in Goodwill’s textiles department. “I

was very adamant and kept pushing to get hired,” says Kathy. “I have a passion for

special needs, but had never worked with adults with disabilities, that’s what I like

about Goodwill. It’s amazing where I am at right now, I feel extremely productive.”

Within the last few months, things have started to turn around for Kathy. She in-

creased her hours and now works five days a week, moved out of The Rescue Mission

and into her own apartment and has been in a serious relationship. She is also looking

forward to becoming a first time grandmother this summer and spending time with her

daughters and new grandchild. “It’s very exciting,” she smiles.

In spite of everything Kathy has gone through, she remains extremely positive. She

doesn’t look back on the things she lost or ask, "Why me?” Her attitude is really quite

remarkable. “Especially last year, I felt like I had blessings every day, one right after

another. I appreciate everything a lot more this time around,” says Kathy. “The people

at Goodwill have been so helpful and supportive,” continues Kathy. “I’m thankful for

the opportunity they have given me and just like with the people from Then Rescue

Mission, I could never repay everyone who has helped me. I’m truly blessed.”

Donors: Thanks for Believing in the Power of Work

Benefactors – $1,000+

Byzantine, Inc.

Citizens for Gerberry

Citizens for Gerberry - In Support of

YRRS

Fibus Family Foundation

James and Carol Bacon Charitable Gift

Fund

Jib Jab Inc.

The Rhiel Supply Co.

Remmel Foundation through The PNC

Charitable Trust Grant Review

Committee

Walter E. and Caroline H. Watson

Foundation

Warren P. Williamson, Jr. Fund of The

Youngstown Foundation

Sustainers – $500+

John C. Botch - In Support of YRRS

Patrons – $250+

Jeanne Tyler - In Memory of Clark

Hammitt

Paul & Rebecca Stabile

Supporters – $100+

Mr. & Mrs. James Barry - In Memory of

Joann Barry & In support of YRRS

George & Teresa Bosela - In Memory of

Joann Barry & In Support of YRRS

Michael Bosela - In Memory of Joann

Barry & In Support of YRRS

Community Corrections Association

Ryerson W. Dalton - In Memory of

Joann Barry & In Support of YRRS

D. Joseph & Maryellen Fleming

Peggy A. Heintzelman

Melissa A. Pearce - In Memory of Dick

Diamond & In Memory of Helen

Tumbri

Susan & William Phillips

Elyn Summers

Betsy Wells

Contributors – $50+

The Allen Family - In Memory of Joann

Barry & In Support of YRRS

Becker Funeral Homes

Buckeye Beauty Landscaping &

Excavating

Julianne Burnett - In Memory of

Leonard Ganchar & In Support of

YRRS

Norman & JoAnn Deckant - In Memory

of Leonard Ganchar & In Support

of YRRS

Elizabeth Farbman

Margaret Ford - In Memory of Leonard

Ganchar & In Support of YRRS

Elizabeth Haustovich - In Memory of

Paul Haustovich

Frederick Krolopp

Ilona Labusch - In Memory of Gerda

Labusch

Dr. Anthony L. Mehle

Millcreek Ladies Golf Association - In

Memory of Leonard Ganchar & In

Support of YRRS

Albert Peake Sr.

Cynthia Reardon - In Memory of

Leonard Ganchar & In Support of

YRRS

Connie Robinson - In Memory of

Leonard Ganchar & In Support of

YRRS

Mary Catherine Sanders - In Memory of

Len Ganchar

Betty L. Serich

Elias Vujovich

Rick & Mark Wilson

Friends – Up to $50

Marjorie Allen - In Memory of Joann

Barry & In Support of YRRS

Cathleen Anderson

Mr. & Mrs. James Baron - In Memory of

Joann Barry & In Support of YRRS

Michael Bosela - In Memory of Leonard

Ganchar & In Support of YRRS

Mr. & Mrs. Ed Bury - In Memory of

Joann Barry & In Support of YRRS

Vivian Clifton - In Memory of Joann

Barry & In Support of YRRS

Barbara Coleman - In Memory of

Leonard Ganchar & In Support of

YRRS

Patricia Daubenspeck

Tricia & Walter DeBald - In Memory of

Joann Barry & In Support of YRRS

Tricia & Walter DeBald - In Memory of

Leonard Ganchar & In Support of

YRRS

Jennifer Dederich - In Memory of Joann

Barry & In Support of YRRS

Patrick & Linda DeToro

Jennifer Farah

Patricia Fehr - In Memory of Leonard

Ganchar & In Support of YRRS

Mary E. Feicht - In Memory of Leonard

Ganchar

Diane Gittlin - In Memory of Joann

Barry & In Support of YRRS

Cor & Joyce Kester

Elizabeth Karner - In Memory of Joann

Barry & In Support of YRRS

Ronald L. Lipp DDS

M. Losoncy - In Memory of Joann Barry

& In Support of YRRS

Mary Ann and Bill Lyden - In Memory

of Joann Barry & In Support of

YRRS

Don McKenzie

June Martin - In Memory of Joann Barry

& In Support of YRRS

Evelyn Moser - In Memory of Leonard

Ganchar & In Support of YRRS

Susan Mostov - In Memory of Leonard

Ganchar & In Support of YRRS

William Peyko - In Support of YRRS

Mary Frances Pipino & In Support

of YRRS

Jane Radaj - In Memory of Joann Barry

& In Support of YRRS

Elaine Ramhoff Rosecrans - In Memory

of Joann Barry & In Support of

YRRS

Ethel Sheridan

Dorothy Tesner - In Memory of Leonard

Ganchar & In Support of YRRS

Jim & Dee Tripp and Pete Draia - In

Memory of Leonard Ganchar & In

Support of YRRS

Margaret Varley - In Memory of John

Varley

Robert Webber

Gifts In Kind

Insta Copy

*donations received as of December 23, 2015

(continued from page 2)

Goodwill and makes stocking the Goodwill retail stores to their full capacity difficult.

The items that the community donates to Goodwill are sold in the eight local Goodwill stores in Austintown, Boardman, Calcutta,

Liberty, Salem, Warren, Hermitage and New Castle. The revenue generated by the sale of merchandise in the stores is used to fund

Goodwill’s job training and employment programs. Over 70% of Goodwill’s funding comes from store sales.

Donors interested in claiming tax dedications should keep itemized lists of their donations. The Internal Revenue Service allows a

deduction for each item, but the donor determines each item’s value. Goodwill provides receipts to donors at its drop-off sites, and

attendants can validate itemized lists when they are presented. Although, the donation attendants are not able to put a monetary value

on donation receipts. For general guidelines, visit www.goodwill.org and www.irs.gov.

Employees Enjoy Junior Group Holiday Jewelry Sale, Festivities

2747 Belmont Avenue

Youngstown, Ohio 44505-1864

Address Service Requested

Non-Profit

Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

Youngstown, Ohio

Permit No. 738

Left: Nanette Gasser browses the selection of Christmas pins for sale in the Goodwill cafeteria during the holiday jewelry sale that The Junior Group of

Goodwill volunteer ladies hosted for Goodwill employees. Above: (L. to R.)

Ramona Thomas, Gasser and Mary Tucker pose for a photo opportunity while looking over jewelry. The Junior Group of Goodwill ladies sold jewelry, handed

out treats and distributed handmade knit scarves to Goodwill employees during

their morning break and lunch time on Wednesday, December 9. The ladies have turned the holiday jewelry sale into an annual event, creating a festive

atmosphere for all of the employees to enjoy.

Note: Thank you to the Knit Whitters knitting group for donating and making all of the lovely scarves for employees.