Goodwill awards businesses, individuals

Goodwill of the Heartland recognized five area businesses and twelve individuals with barriers to independence during its annual banquet and awards ceremony on Friday, April 27.

Among those businesses honored were, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel in Coralville, Elly's Tea and Coffee House in Muscatine, Hiawatha Care Center of Hiawatha and DES Staffing of Moline, Ill.

Employer of the Year Awards recognize businesses for their 2011 partnership with Goodwill in providing employment opportunities for individuals facing barriers to independence.

Procter & Gamble of Iowa City was named the 2011 Contract Partner for its efforts in engaging Goodwill and clients to complete light industrial manufacturing and assembly work for the business, ultimately creating dozens of jobs for Goodwill workers.

Individual Achievement Awards were presented to Goodwill clients who made significant strides toward their individual goals during 2011.

Ashley Courtney of Cedar Rapids was recognized for her growth at the Goodwill store and for her successful efforts to change her former work habits.

Jarrod Hootman of Marion was honored for his work ethic in holding multiple jobs and for his willingness to fill in at other Goodwill job sites on short notice.

Kyle Mulherin of Cedar Rapids was honored for his goal-setting skills and accomplishment of multiple goals as he works toward greater independence.

Mitchell Lukins of Washington was recognized for the many skills he has gained while in training at the Washington Store for more than two years, with the hope of one day being hired for a staff position.

Stephanie Nail of Iowa City was acknowledged for her tenacity in working to overcome long-term barriers to employment and her recent success in holding a job.

Jamie Sir of Iowa City was recognized for becoming self-supporting and living independently in her own apartment.

Cub Blocker of Muscatine was recognized for efforts to overcome barriers and to become a contributing member of the work crew at Allsteel in Muscatine.

Angela Collins of Muscatine was honored for her efforts to gain cooking skills and learn about restaurant operations while training at Snackers2 Restaurant in Muscatine.

Mandy Kirtley of Muscatine was recognized for her efforts to overcome heath issues and to work successfully at the Muscatine Goodwill Store.

Kathryn Rickertsen of Bryant was honored for the leadership she demonstrates at the Clinton Store where she has trained during the last year.

Two individuals were recipients of special awards recognizing their successful steps to surmount challenges.

Cynthia Holcomb of North Liberty, a senior at West High School in Iowa City, was presented the 2012 Emily Helms Award. Holcomb is successfully living with autism and intellectual disability. Given in memory of Emily Helms, the great-granddaughter of Rev. Edgar J. Helms who founded the first Goodwill Industries in Boston in 1902, the award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding strength of character in coping with or overcoming a significant disability

Troy Wilkinson of East Moline, Ill., was named as the 2012 Townsend Graduate of the Year, an award presented to a former Goodwill client who has overcome barriers, graduated from Goodwill services, and is living independently. The award is given in honor of Mike Townsend, a long-time vice president of programs who retired in 2010.

About Goodwill of the Heartland

Goodwill of the Heartland advances the well-being of thousands of people with barriers to independence. Funded in part by 14 Goodwill Stores in southeast Iowa, and western Illinois, including the Quad Cities, Goodwill of the Heartland provides vocational and other programming including job training, transitional job experience and soft skill development.

The organization served more than 6,000 people in 2011. For more information about Goodwill, including retail and donation locations, please visit

www.goodwillheartland.org or call (319) 337-4158.