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Rockville, MD – Raising funds to augment services at their local Goodwill Industries agency has earned the Goodwill Service Board of Columbus, OH, the 2007 Volunteer Group of the Year Award from Goodwill Industries International.

The Goodwill Service Board, comprised of 38 dedicated volunteers, understands that many nonprofits work within limited budgets. Their goal then was to raise money throughout the year to cover projects or activities that did not fall within Goodwill Columbus’ annual budget but would be particularly meaningful to Goodwill program participants.

These special activities included hosting two graduation ceremonies for Goodwill Columbus’ vocational training program, providing holiday gifts and necessities to low-income individuals, providing room makeovers to participants in the Goodwill Columbus Residential Program, and facilitating family visits and community outings for participants with mental retardation or developmental disabilities.

“Volunteer groups like the Goodwill Service Board in Columbus are often the unsung, and unseen, heroes in the Goodwill network,” says George W. Kessinger, President and CEO, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Their talents are an asset that can only be measured by the gifts they give to those we serve.”

Caroline Markworth, Manager of Volunteer Programs and Communications, Goodwill Columbus, notes that these volunteers share the same passion that Goodwill staff possesses. “The Goodwill Service Board makes it their goal to ensure that all individuals with disabilities and other barriers are embraced as valued and dignified members of our community. These volunteers are passionate about Goodwill Columbus and the people who are served each and every day through our programs and services, and they work diligently to provide the funds and resources needed to continue these programs.”


The Volunteer Group of the Year Award honors an outstanding Goodwill Industries volunteer group that works in support of a member Goodwill organization.