AWARDS Goodwill honors employees, supporters

Goodwill offers much to the community, its director says.
BOARDMAN -- Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries is fortunate to be in a generous community that cares, Michael W. McBride, the organization's executive director, told guests at a recognition banquet earlier this month.
About 250 guests attended as area Goodwill officials honored employees and community supporters of Goodwill's mission at Mr. Anthony's Banquet Center on South Avenue.
McBride said Goodwill's primary focus is to rehabilitate and teach job skills to those with social and physical disabilities.
Goodwill is a lot of things to a lot of different people in our community, McBride said.
He reminded guests that Goodwill stores offer quality merchandise at reasonable prices, which help to raise money for Goodwill's services.
He said that Goodwill offers quality vocational rehabilitation services to clients who are disabled or have other barriers to employment and that Goodwill offers vision screening, radio reading and other services.
McBride also added that Goodwill offers people a place where they can feel confident that their donations are safe and properly used.
He emphasized that with around 300 employees in five counties, Goodwill offers employment and opportunities for people.
Who was honored
Those receiving awards given annually and other special recognition were:
City Machine Technologies Inc., special service; Jeff 0'Houlette, special recognition; Fred Pilgrim, amblyopia volunteer of the year; Roger Guglucello, past president's award; Bob and Kathy Vogt, Youngstown Radio Reading Service volunteers of the year; Deborah Duffy, junior group volunteer of the year; Austintown Perkins Restaurant, employer of the year; Steel City Corporation, business provider of the year; Hermitage Goodwill, store of the year; Joyce Boncyk and Christa Hugley, Goodwill graduates of the year; Susan Greenwalt, Goodwill supervisor of the year; Matthew Hynes, Goodwill employee of the Year; Michelle Clark, Susan Below, Antoinette Franco, Susan Sokol, Samuel Jackson, Lynda Spence, Christopher Kolley, David Priddy, Christine Toth, Robert Townsend and Michael Pause, exceptional performance awards.