Summer 2013 - Goodwill Southwestern Pennsylvania

Peopleof GoodwillCelebrating with Clara Brown(second from left) at herbirthday/retirement party areJamia Cinelli, Coordinatorof Autism Services (left);Jen Hemme, Supervisor-Vocational Evaluation; andLeanne Trdinich, PASSAGESJob Developer.tCongratulations to Dion Carter on beingnamed Employee of the Month by AMCLoews Waterfront 22 Theatre. Dion washired there last August after participatingin retail training at Goodwill’s ConsumerOperated Training Store in Lawrenceville.His manager at the theatre said Dion haseasily adapted to the busy environment andhas improved both the guest experience andthe quality of those with whom he works.Dion is featured in a Goodwill video called“Faces of Work” that tells the stories ofseveral successful clients.Congratulations and best wishes to longtimeGoodwill employee Clara Brownwho celebrated her 90th birthday and retiredon March 1. Clara received her GED ® certificationthrough Goodwill when she was inher 40s and became a Goodwill employeewhen she was 71. When asked what shewants to do after retiring, Clara said “I’mgoing to sleep in for a minute, but not watchTV, and then I’ll find someplace where I canvolunteer and help people.” tMichele Benasutti and her award-winning artwork.Congratulations to Michele Benasutti,a participant in Goodwill’s ElderberryJunction center for adults with developmentaldisabilities, who recently won anaward for a painting she created. Micheleand Lynn Tucibat, Elderberry JunctionCoordinator, accepted the award at aGoodwill Industries International AdvocacyConference in Washington, D.C.tCongratulations to Gibsonia store managerRose Paris and her staff on receivingthe 2013 Readers’ Choice Gold Award ofExcellence for Resale/Consignment storesby readers of Trib Total Media.An employee of the Morgantown Goodwillstore, Tommy Newbraugh was surprisedduring a West Virginia University basketballgame in March when he was called outonto the court at halftime. Then the crowdrose and cheered as he was recognized asthe Big 12 Conference Special OlympicsMale Athlete of the Year. Tommy, who hasan intellectual disability, has participated inSpecial Olympics since the 1960s, playingbasketball, football and track. l6