THE BEACON ISSUE 1, 2007 A PUBLICATION OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED (ABVI)- GOODWILL BROCKPORT GOODWILL: THE FIRST OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF GOODWILL STORES After months of planning, the next generation of local Goodwill stores has become a reality. The racks are filled, the shelves are stocked and the team is in place — the BRAND NEW 25,000 square foot Brockport Goodwill store is now open! The Brockport Goodwill store is the first in a plan that includes opening at least one new Goodwill store in each of the next five years. Brockport will serve as the model as our Goodwill presence reaches out to other communities throughout Greater Rochester, the Finger Lakes region and the Southern Tier. Our goals are not only to offer a unique and affordable shopping experience and create jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired or have other barriers to employment or independence, but to be a community partner and enhance the broad array of programs and services available in these communities. The Brockport team members were busy filling the racks, shelves and hangers with brand new and gently-used merchandise for the store opening. In Brockport, the moment you enter through the front doors into the bright, clean and expansive store, you step into the future of Goodwill. Thousands of items of new and gently-used brand name merchandise fill the racks. Unique items for your home, a well-stocked children’s section, a furniture department, books and CDs to meet everyone’s interests and a wide variety of household items are all waiting for the value-conscious bargain shopper. Of course, shopping at the Brockport Goodwill store, or any of our other four convenient locations throughout the region, not only offers quality merchandise at affordable prices, it also creates jobs and provides programs and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. The Brockport Goodwill store also has a large Community Room which is an opportunity for ABVI-Goodwill to give back to the community. The Community Room is available free of charge for use by area non-profits and small groups who need a location for meetings or other events. The Community Room will also provide a site for Project Eye Care, our outreach program that offers free routine eye exams for adults and children of all ages who are uninsured or underserved, providing another opportunity for ABVI-Goodwill to extend its mission into new communities. Goodwill. Good clothes. Good prices. Good cause. And now Good for Brockport! The NEW Brockport Goodwill is located off Transit Way. 1807 Nathanial Poole Trail Brockport, NY 14420 Phone: (585) 637-5610 NEW PARTNERSHIP BRINGS AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks recently joined with representatives of ABVI-Goodwill, Conifer Realty LLC, and the Village of Honeoye Falls to announce an exciting new joint venture to create Seneca Place Apartments, a 40-unit affordable family apartment development to be located in Honeoye Falls. Seneca Place will be composed of one 32-unit building and one 8-unit building. The development will serve low and very-low income families who have annual incomes below 50% of the area median income, helping to address the need for quality affordable family rental housing in Monroe County. “Affordable housing is critical to the economic vitality and quality of life in our community,” said County Executive Brooks. “In addition to providing affordable housing, this development will create construction jobs and benefit working families.” ABVI-Goodwill will provide counsel to Conifer Realty in constructing the apartments to ensure that they are accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired. The agency will also offer on and off-site support services to the residents of the apartments who may need low vision or rehabilitation services. A preference in tenant selection for people who are blind or visually impaired or have other disabilities will be given for 15% of the units. “This project serves as another example of what can be accomplished with private sector and governmental collaboration,” said Gidget Hopf, President and CEO of ABVI-Goodwill. “It provides us the opportunity to partner with a premiere housing corporation to expand and improve housing opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired, and we look forward to this as the start of a unique collaborative relationship.” Seneca Place is funded through the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal’s (DCHR) 2006 Unified Funding Round. Through the New York State Housing Trust Fund, DCHR also awarded the project a low interest loan, and additional funding was provided through the Monroe County HOME program and from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. The development is expected to be completed in the spring of 2008. FROM THE PRESIDENT… Empowerment. Opportunity. Partnership. World class leadership. These are the exciting outcomes that we expect as ABVI-Goodwill transforms itself and prepares to move into a new century of service. As we highlighted in the last edition of The Beacon, the agency’s Board of Directors and leadership team have developed a new vision, mission and strategic plan to guide the organization towards its Centennial Celebration in 2011. Creating that new vision required a look into the future. It required us to look ahead and imagine what ABVI-Goodwill will be in a few short years. Visualizing the future has been exciting and has created a sense of renewal; a sense of transformation. At ABVI-Goodwill, we believe our best days are still ahead of us! We see a future in which ABVI-Goodwill will be viewed as a world class leader in low vision and vision rehabilitation services. By proactively seeking out new technologies, partnering with medical and commercial partners and conducting valuable research, ABVI-Goodwill will be a sought after collaborator and provider. We see a future in which ABVI-Goodwill empowers people who are blind or visually impaired to be actively engaged with their families and their communities. We see a future where people who are blind or visually impaired will be positioned and empowered to use their newly gained skills to lead and to serve in their communities. And by identifying and designing breakthrough technologies and approaches, we see a future in which individuals of all ages who are blind will have greater opportunities for an enhanced quality of life. Much of this is already happening at ABVI-Goodwill in so many ways. People who are blind or visually impaired are giving back to the community and touching thousands of lives by being trained as telecounselors in our 2-1-1/LIFE LINE program. Jobs are being created and the technology is being deployed in our new Goodwill stores for people who are blind or visually impaired to work and grow and develop. New programs and services are being offered through our Vision Rehabilitation Department to enhance the skills and abilities and create opportunities for people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired. Our vision for the future is clear, and the path that will take us there has been established in our strategic plan. We are confident in our plan, but also in our ability to correct the course when needed, overcome any obstacles and stay focused on the horizon. The transformation of ABVI-Goodwill into its new century of service promises to be dynamic, energizing and ripe with our expected outcomes of empowerment, opportunity, partnership and world-class leadership. We know we can count on you to join us along the path into our new century of service and be a part of ABVI-Goodwill’s new vision. FROM THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR… March is AMD Awareness Month Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of low vision in Americans over the age of fifty. Macular degeneration is a progressive, painless disease that attacks the macula, the area in the back of the eye that is responsible for central vision. Because peripheral vision is spared, AMD does not cause total blindness. Approximately 90 percent of patients with AMD have the “dry” form. The Age Related Eye Disease Study has shown that antioxidant and mineral supplements of vitamin C, beta carotene, zinc oxide, and cupric oxide are effective in slowing the progression of macular degeneration in the intermediate and more advanced stage. The “wet” form occurs in only 10 percent of patients with AMD, but is responsible for 90 percent of cases of severe visual loss. Fortunately, the past few years have seen major advances in our ability to treat the “wet” form of AMD. In “wet” AMD, new, abnormal, fragile blood vessels grow beneath the macula, leading to bleeding and scarring. Laser treatments can obliterate the abnormal vessels and, recently, drugs have been developed that can block the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor, the molecule that stimulates blood vessel growth. Everyone over the age of 50 should be screened for age related vision problems with regular eye exams. Patients with high blood pressure, people who smoke and those with a family history of AMD have the highest risk of developing AMD. Symptoms that should send you to an eye doctor immediately include a wavy appearance to straight lines, difficulty seeing at a distance, difficulty distinguishing between colors, inability to see details like faces or words, or dark or empty spots in the center of your vision. ABVI-Goodwill is here to help people with vision loss, to improve their independence and quality of life. But our hope is that with new treatments and better screening, fewer people with AMD will need us. HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR LOW VISION Dr. Katherine White is familiar with ABVI-Goodwill and the low vision services we provide— she has been one of our valued Low Vision Specialists for many years. Recently, Dr. White was appointed as Managing Director of Low Vision Services at ABVI-Goodwill. Dr. White began her time at ABVI-Goodwill 28 years ago as an optometry resident. As the years passed, she remained a resource to the Low Vision Center as one of its Low Vision Specialists. Her experience working in private practice and a primary care setting gives her a unique insight into the highly individualized needs of patients, especially those with low vision. She is using this knowledge and experience at ABVI-Goodwill to provide overall direction and ongoing development of the Low Vision Center. Dr. White has already been a part of the growth of the Low Vision Center and the vision rehabilitation department, but she has a further vision for the facility. Some of her short-term and long-term goals include creating additional resources for doctors to refer patients to ABVI-Goodwill, investing in state of the art equipment and technology, enhancing research opportunities, remodeling the Low Vision Center and increasing collaborative efforts in the community. “The Low Vision Center is staffed by professionals with years of experience who have great ideas, but many are only at ABVI-Goodwill for one day or half a day each week,” said Dr. White. “Because there isn’t a luxury of extra time, it is difficult to follow through on these valuable ideas. I can concentrate my efforts on helping bring these ideas to fruition.” Dr. White has high aspirations for the future of ABVI-Goodwill’s Low Vision Center and we value her energy, insight and experience. Under her direction, ABVI-Goodwill is well positioned to become a world class leader in low vision and vision rehabilitation services. NEW RESEARCH OFFERS SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH AMD Vision loss can be a difficult challenge to overcome, often requiring unexpected lifestyle changes and learning new ways of doing familiar tasks. A new study on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) being conducted in partnership with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, is exploring the ways in which education and support and planning for the future can help people adjust to vision loss as a result of AMD. The purpose of the study is to determine whether a structured program of education and training for people with macular degeneration will improve their quality of life and the ability to adjust to the changes brought on by their loss of vision. The study will provide a series of four vision education classes offered through ABVI-Goodwill, individual interviews and eight weekly sessions of preventive problem solving training in the participant’s home. The education classes at ABVI-Goodwill will provide general information on AMD, how emotional and interpersonal relationships are affected by AMD, adjusting to one’s environment and how to adapt the home. Dr. Silvia Sörensen is the principal researcher for this study. “The basis for this effort is an interest I have in better understanding how people cope with a diagnosis of macular degeneration, and then how they manage their future needs,” she said. “While there are a number of programs that focus on some of the first steps one can take after initial diagnosis, there is little study about the long-term planning for one’s future. I’d like this study to educate people and help them plan for the changes in their lives in order to make the transition easier.” If you are interested in participating in this study on AMD, Dr. Sörensen can be contacted directly at (585) 273-2952. PARTNERSHIP PROVIDES A CLEARER WORLD Many of the people who use the free services of ABVI-Goodwill’s Project Eye Care learn how a simple pair of glasses can enhance daily living and help to see the world more clearly. In fact, 99% of patients examined by Project Eye Care need a pair of glasses. It is through strong partnerships with local optical shops that Project Eye Care patients are provided with a new pair of glasses, at no cost regardless of insurance. Most recently, Sears Optical has become a partner in the Project Eye Care program. Sears Optical has locations in the Eastview, Marketplace and Greece Ridge malls and Irondequoit’s Medley Centre. With four convenient locations and a variety of frames to choose from, Sears Optical is helping to improve the quality of life for patients of Project Eye Care. HELP PEOPLE IN NEED BY DONATING TO THE 2007 SCOUTING FOR FOOD AND CLOTHING DRIVE On Saturday, March 24th eager Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will travel door-to-door to hundreds of thousands of homes in the Monroe County area delivering the 2007 Scouting for Food and Clothing bags. When you receive these bags at your homes, fill them full with nonperishable food and gently used clothing and leave them on your doorstep one week later on Saturday, March 31st for the scouts to pick up. All clothing donations collected during Scouting for Food and Clothing go directly to ABVI-Goodwill and provide funds for programs, services and jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired living in the Greater Rochester area and Finger Lakes region. Your non-perishable food donations will go to local food cupboards, shelters and kitchens that will meet the needs of people throughout the Greater Rochester area. If no one picks up your donation bag on Saturday, March 31st please bring your clothing and food donations to any Rochester-area Wendy’s location, Family First Federal Credit Union or the Goodwill store nearest you and place it in the collection barrels from April 1-8, 2007. For more information on Scouting for Food and Clothing please call (585) 232-1111. BONTON AND GOODWILL: SAVINGS AND DONATIONS GO HAND-IN-HAND There is another opportunity to donate your clothing to ABVI-Goodwill and receive big savings at BonTon through the BonTon Spring Goodwill Sale. Six area BonTon stores are partnering with ABVI-Goodwill this March to collect clothing donations to support the mission of ABVI-Goodwill. From Thursday, March 15 through Monday, March 26, BonTon customers who donate clean, gently-used clothing at participating stores will receive 20% off coupons toward the purchase of new merchandise. All donations support programs, services, job training and employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired. The more items of clothing you donate, the more coupons you receive– donate ten items and receive ten 20% off coupons! And the discount coupons can be used to buy almost all new merchandise, including rarely discounted products such as cosmetics, perfumes and name-brand items. Participating BonTon Locations: Marketplace Mall- 15 Miracle Mile Drive, Rochester NY Medley Centre- 101 Irondequoit Drive, Rochester NY Greece Ridge Center- 98 Greece Ridge Center, Rochester NY East View Mall- 7979 Pittsford-Victor Road, Victor NY Carousel Center- 9570 Carousel Center Drive, Syracuse NY Camillus Mall- 5300 W. Genesee, Camillus NY Donations are also accepted at all Goodwill Locations: Webster Penfield Store- 1217 Bay Road, Webster NY Henrietta Store- 376 Jefferson Road, Rochester NY Greece Store- 1516 West Ridge Road, Rochester NY Downtown Store- 451 South Clinton Avenue, Rochester NY Brockport Store- 1807 Nathanial Poole Trail, Brockport NY 2007 DIRECT LABOR EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR ABVI-Goodwill is pleased to announce Ron Harris as the 2007 Direct Labor Employee of the Year. Ron will also be the agency’s nominee for the Peter J. Salmon Award, sponsored by National Industries for the Blind. Ron Harris began working for ABVI-Goodwill more than five years ago, joining the agency in its tubing manufacturing department in September 2001. In 2002, he was one of the original employees that helped launch the agency’s successful venture into CD ROM replication, and has been working in that area ever since. Because Ron lost his sight so late in life, and because the eye condition he suffered from was not prolonged but took his sight very quickly, the challenges he faced in adjusting to life without sight were, in his words, “a huge deal.” All of the things he took for granted – driving, cooking, home repair, watching television, etc. – quite suddenly became near-impossible to do. But a strong spirit and self-determination, a caring and loving family and an eagerness to regain his independence, all helped Ron overcome those challenges. He now believes, without question, that he leads as productive and enjoyable a life as he did before his vision loss. Ron is a vital and outstanding member of the ABVI-Goodwill team and an exemplary role model for his fellow employees. His strength and perseverance, his ability to maintain a genuinely positive outlook in the face of significant personal challenges, and his willingness to extend himself to other employees as a mentor and friend, all combine to make him an exceptional choice as the 2007 Direct Labor Employee of the Year and ABVI-Goodwill’s nominee for the Peter J. Salmon Award. 2007 EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR ABVI-Goodwill is pleased to announce Joan Haber as Department 11’s 2007 Employee of the Year. With more than 40 years of service to ABVI-Goodwill, Joan’s dedication, hard work and pleasant attitude combined to make her a valuable resource to her department and to the organization. Joan had that unique combination of a dedicated work ethic, a positive attitude and a fun-loving personality with a great sense of humor. She brought all of that to her work on a daily basis and was a role model for others. Joan’s visual impairment hasn’t stopped her from enjoying the things that she likes to do. Joan plays the harmonica, enjoys music, likes to sing and was a member of ABVI-Goodwill’s Morning Star Choir. Joan also collects Furbies and can often be found talking about her amazing collection. Joan recently retired after 42 years with the agency. She will be deeply missed but always remembered. Congratulations to Department 11’s 2007 Employee of the Year, Joan Haber, for her outstanding commitment to her department and her exceptional service to ABVI-Goodwill. AN OLD CAFETERIA GETS A NEW LOOK AND NAME Employees of ABVI-Goodwill patiently waited while six weeks of drilling, pounding and painting took place to transform the old cafeteria into a new, state-of-the-art café. The result of these weeks of construction is a larger, more inviting, accessible and low vision friendly café. Not only did the café get a completely new look, it was also redesigned to be more accessible for guide dogs and people with low vision. Some of the changes include a darker tile pathway identifying the traffic flow through the new facility and places alongside the seating for guide dogs to rest. The walls are painted with warm earth tones, a bar-height island counter has been installed and an artistic wrought iron railing adds style and functionality, giving people a solid guide toward the exit. Cherry wood booths replaced metal tables and soft amber-colored lighting fixtures took the place of the fluorescent bulbs. The result is a cozy atmosphere perfect to enjoy a hot lunch or to hold a casual business meeting. A naming contest was held among the employees to name the newly transformed café and, after hundreds of selections were reviewed, the winning entry was submitted by Kimberly Lawrence, Project Eye Care Coordinator in Vision Rehabilitation with the name “The Inner Loop Café,” nicknamed The Loop. With the tie to Rochester and the actual traffic pattern of the café being in a loop, the name fit perfectly. The Inner Loop Café was generously funded by a number of donors including Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation, B. Thomas Golisano Foundation, Alvin F. and Ruth K. Thiem Foundation, Shirley Skinner, and the Empire State Development Corporation, with the support of Senator Joseph Robach. Debbie Furlong has joined the ABVI-Goodwill team as the new Call Center Manager. Debbie is responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of all aspects of the agency’s Clinton Avenue Call Center. She is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology and holds a certificate in Project Management from George Washington University. Prior to joining ABVI-Goodwill, she worked as a scheduler and human resources assistant with Home Depot and also held management positions with Nortel Networks, Frontier Communications and First Federal Savings & Loan. Phil Haberek was recently promoted to Senior Network Administrator in the Information Technology Department at ABVI-Goodwill. Phil has been the agency’s Network Administrator for just over two years. During that time, he has been a strong leader and has increased the scope and complexity of his duties, and his role has been critical to ABVI-Goodwill’s technological support and growth. He has also been instrumental in the Brockport Goodwill technology installations and coordinating the project completion. B.E.A.T. IS BACK! ABVI-Goodwill and the Hochstein School of Music and Dance are happy to announce the return of the music therapy based program, B.E.A.T. Body awareness, Exploring your environment, Auditory development, Through music. For the past three years, B.E.A.T. has provided a program to enhance vision related skills through a fun and musical experience. The B.E.A.T program is held at the Hochstein School of Music and Dance in Rochester and is provided at no cost to children who are blind or visually impaired and their siblings. There are two different age groups: one for children 2 to 5 years old and one for children 5 to 8 years old. Although the groups have already started the program, participants can join at any time. Call Sarah Favro at (585) 697-5746 or email her at sfavro@abvi-goodwill.com for more information. Children ages 2 to 5 years old meet Fridays, 4:30 - 5:15 PM through June 1 Please note that this session is a combined family oriented class for children with special needs Children ages 5 to 8 years old meet Mondays from 5:30 - 6:15 PM through June 4 Excluding April 9 and May 28 Adaptive Technology Classes Teach the Basics Adaptive Technology training provides hands-on instruction on the use of computers and specially designed software for people who are blind or visually impaired. Comprehensive training in computers and adaptive technology is provided through a series of classes at the Adaptive Technology Center at ABVI-Goodwill. The Adaptive Technology Center houses the latest in adaptive equipment, such as voice synthesizers, computers that produce screen text in Braille and screen magnification that enhances computer text and images. Adaptive computer skills allow participants to learn keyboarding techniques, email, understand software programs and computer technology, and utilize the Internet to their advantage. The training is designed to enhance a person’s ability to succeed at school, work or home. Listed below are three introductory classes provided at ABVI-Goodwill’s Adaptive Technology Center which will give participants a strong start to learning how technology can assist people with vision loss. Take a Byte... Introduction to Computers This class is designed to help new users learn about computers and what they can do to enhance your life and daily activities. Participants learn about computer terminology and software in this class. Time- 8 hours total, 2 hours per session Cost- $80 Tuesdays and Thursdays (4/17, 4/19, 4/24, 4/26) See it, Hear it... Introduction to Adaptive Technology Do you wonder what technology would help you use a computer? Want to see and hear the different devices and software that may help you use a computer? This class is designed to show you technologies available in today’s market and how you can use the devices and software to enhance your life and independence. Time- 6 hours total, 2 hours per session Cost- $80 Monday, Wednesday, Friday (5/21, 5/23, 5/25) Get in Check... Assessing Your Needs This is a two-hour assessment that will allow ABVI-Goodwill’s instructors to determine what the most appropriate adaptive technology is for you. You will be exposed to different technology programs that will allow you to access a computer using enlargement, speech or Braille. You will be provided with a time limited demonstration version of the software that best suits your goals to take home. It is suggested that Introduction to Adaptive Technology be taken prior to this assessment. Time- 2 hours Cost- $50 Offered by appointment only To take part in any of the above mentioned classes, or to learn about the many other programs offered on Adaptive Technology, call Jenn Mohr at (585) 697-5754 or email her at jmohr@abvi-goodwill.com. When a Deal is Not a Deal by Kim Kline If you are shopping for a new computer, the popular notion is that computers cost much less than they used to, and to a degree, that is true. But you have to look at the fine details of what is included, and that process can be daunting, even for the experienced computer user. Basically, the $500 machines are inexpensive because everything is extra. If you want a reasonable amount of memory, the price will be higher. If you want a bigger hard drive, it will cost you, and if you want the nice fast Intel Dual Core processors, be prepared to dig deep. What you need depends largely upon how you plan to use the computer. If you are planning to write a few letters and exchange e-mail, you can get away with just upgrading the memory—the hard disk size and the processor shouldn’t matter. On the other hand, if recording music or composing music is your goal, then bigger is much better. Go big on every thing—hard disk size, memory size, processor speed, and even the video card and the sound cards matter. Be prepared to spend $850 to $1,300 for such a system. From an adaptive technology standpoint, memory is the main issue, although a good sound card may be worth pursuing. The rule of thumb is to look at the minimum memory requirements for the operating system and double it for adaptive technology. For example, Windows Vista requires 1 Gigabyte of memory, so if you are going to run a speech package like Window-Eyes, get 2 Gigabytes of memory. Also, be aware that we are in a transition time. Not all of the screen readers are fully supporting Windows Vista yet, so if you have the latitude of buying a Windows XP machine, you might be better off to do so for the next six months or so. But you should buy the hardware as if you were going to run Windows Vista, so that when you do the upgrade you do not end up with a machine that is constantly crashing or one that runs very slowly. It is fairly easy to tell whether or not the sound card will run JAWS or Window-Eyes. Just count the connectors for the sound. If there are more than three connectors, it is usually sufficient. Much of the time, you don’t even need a sound card—the computers that have on-board sound with major brand names like Sound Blaster Audigy are just as good as having a separate sound card. In conclusion, if you are buying a new computer, the bargain priced special probably isn’t going to cut the mustard— be prepared to go one step up. For most people, that probably means the mid $600 range. For power users, it will cost more. Agency Wish List The kindness and generosity of our donors help us to offer the best and most up-to date services possible. The following list includes much needed items that are not covered in ABVI-Goodwill’s budget. To donate funds to purchase any of the items, please contact Tracy Schleyer at tschleyer@abvi-goodwill.com or (585) 697-5780. Twelve steam table food pan covers: Our Hospitality Group prepares and delivers meals to day care centers, senior centers and not-for-profit agencies. Besides meeting an important community need for nutritious, affordable meals, the revenue generated through the catering program helps support the organization’s mission to provide programs, services and jobs to people who are blind or visually impaired. Cost: $194 Reichert Tono-Pen XL to Measure Intraocular Pressures: Our Low Vision Eye Specialists will use this to measure eye pressures during low vision evaluations. It will enable the doctors to provide state-of-the-art care to individuals who are blind or visually impaired and to prevent further loss of vision. Cost: $2,925 Computer Licenses: Computer software programs that magnify or voice text on the screen are used by many employees who are blind or visually impaired. We need to purchase more software licenses for the JAWS, Magic and Zoomtext programs. Cost: $1,900 Sunlens Evaluation Kit: This kit is a set of 16 pair of UVShields that help to enhance a person’s usable vision. Sunlens can add contrast to make images appear sharper and eliminate glare. One has been generously donated but we need an additional kit so that ABVI-Goodwill service providers can have individuals try the lenses in real life situations. Cost: $255 Talking Microwaves: Microwave ovens that are modified to talk are especially helpful for people with low or no vision. The talking microwave verbally guides a person through the process of cooking with just the touch of a button. Cost: $262 for two Microwaves Table Top Shrink-Wrapper: In 2002, ABVI-Goodwill began production in our CD-ROM replication business. To expand this line of business, we are in need of a table top shrink wrapper. This project will create jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired, and also create revenue to assist those in our community with vision rehabilitation services. Cost: $4,000 Our Goodwill stores employ people who are blind or visually impaired and the proceeds from the sale of donated items help fund vision rehabilitation services for people in our community. Our stores are in need of two items that help determine the denomination of currency: Bill Readers: Cashiers who are blind need bill readers at the registers to handle the cash tendered from our customers. When a customer is purchasing an item, the cashier will be able to determine how much is being given to them for payment. We are in need of five. Cost: $7,500 for five readers Cash Counter: All cashiers are currently required to count the cash draws at the beginning and end of their shifts and our cashiers who are blind are no exception. A cash counter would allow the cashier to run the bills through the counter, the counter reads the denominations and works to weight the coin to arrive at accurate totals. We are in need of four. Cost: $8,000 for four counters A Gift that Provides a Clearer Vision During personalized home visits, our rehabilitation teachers help people learn adaptive equipment and special methods to perform household and daily living tasks. Often the use of non-optical aids makes a significant improvement in accomplishing these tasks, and one of these aids is a Sunlens Evaluation Kit. ABVI-Goodwill’s Vision Rehabilitation staff uses this kit with individuals who are blind or visually impaired to try the lenses in real life situations. Sunlens can add contrast to make an image appear sharper and eliminate glare. This simple tool provides a clearer world for someone experiencing vision loss and makes daily living tasks easier. Tribute Gifts October 31, 2006 – February 1, 2007 MEMORIAL GIFTS Mary K. Beer George N. Beer Werner A. Beer Dan Buonemani Michael P. Corrigan Carol Deinhardt John V. Della Villa Katherine L. Hoefen Peter N. McCann Kenneth P. Schirmuhly Anonymous Bernard E. Tofany Martin J. Yaeger Marian M. Bentley Jean K. Bartlett Huska Beslagic Samra Beslagic Christine Burgess Ruth E. Andrews Mary Cieslak Stephen J. Bartula Virginia Closs Blair Supply Corp. Anonymous Mary Jane Breman-Turner Edward Closs Arline Fitzmaurice Karen L. Floyd Joyce M. Grass Anonymous Bruce Pankratz Stanley J. Pasieka Jane Suarez-Wright Dorothy E. Tombaugh Fredrick G. Townsend Richard R. True William E. Van Hook Joseph Cornelius Anonymous Terrence Samrau Carl Dengler Anonymous Dusty Q. Dusty Doris A. Allport Helen E. Schreiber Tapecon, Inc. Zotos International, Inc. Ruth Etter Virginia Rice Clinton O. Gotham Peter T. Bromley Terrance K. Bromley W. Barry Buffan Raymond E. Collins Gregory T. Farrell James M. Fitzsimmons Reginald W. Gary Henry L. Grandpre Elizabeth M. Grandy Jean G. Hoffman Walter V. Isaac Thomas E. Kelliher Lake Country Garden Club Charles J. Latus Gerald M. Latus Marie K. Latus Edward P. Loux Joseph J. Maslyn Richard J. Thiel Doris Kerr Maxine A. Alessi Erwin O. Ballerstein Bruce E. Carroll Andrew S. Dawson Gloria K. Koval Raymond C. Kuhn Robert C. Kuhn Lawrence Rossiter Jose A. Santiago Kelly A. Thompson Audrey W. Munn Shirley J. Barnum Anonymous Lynne J. Bennett Michael Buckner Constance W. Durfee Eleanor Fosmire Leonard Gartland Judith M. Halley Robert J. Heinkel Russell G. Hurlbut Mary C. Ingersoll John W. Knowles Carl B. Romeo Michael J. Ryan Susan Sickelco Raymond K. Spencer Frances Wirth Marion W. Neun Mary Ellen Parry Frank Nuciola Harriett L. Nuciola Joyce M. Pena Ann Weckesser Richard J. Richter Richard W. Richter Pearl Rubin Anne Gitlin Susan Salisbury Yvonne J. Baxter Robert Schicker Doris Chapin Steven A. Kreiser J. G. Malak Brett L. Patten James R. Sutton Greece Lakeshore Fire Department, Inc. Alan Howland Robert Schicker Sunshine Club of Southwest Community Health Center Dawn M. Smith Judy A. DuFresne Ruth L. Smith David W. Smith Bud Snyder Rita M. Parker Leonard W. Treash Ruth Treash Lisa Vogel Judith A. Miller Catherine A. Wagner Viola Campagna Delbert Jandrew Francine M. Patella Anonymous William C. Warren Buckingham Properties Charles E. Wheten Ruth E. Andrews Anne H. Yanicky William J. McAllian Barbara A. Messenger Rita M. Parker Joseph Sutorius Max J. Zuckerman Hubert S. Boreman Joan E. DiMaggio Anonymous Robert N. McFadden Arthur J. Segal Richard R. Siebert Chuck Unison Susan E. VanApeldoorn HONORARY GIFTS Jean S. Brown Susan J. Melech Richard L. Burns E. Milner Irvin Mary Cardinal Anonymous Scott W. Davis Anonymous Hubert Hill Linda Ayers A. Gidget Hopf Velma P. Anderson Clifford E. Andrews Dennis A. Asselin Virginia M. Badylewicz Anonymous Deborah Bastow Bruce B. Bates Richard L. Baum Joyel Bennett Bergmann Associates, Inc. Elizabeth L. Bianchi Ralph Buis Kevin A. Calos Dorothy A. Carcelli Toby Cherry Mark S. Cronin William H. Davis Cindy S. DeFalco Mary Ellen Duford William J. Elser ExxonMobil Foundation Anonymous Timothy A. Gleason Dorothy H. Green Brenda D. Gumbs Penny L. Hefferon A. Gidget Hopf Joseph Istvan Mary Jacobi Anonymous Germaine G. Knapp Marilyn Kuchmek Elliott Landsman Dolores S. Langsenkamp Donald LoGuidice Bruce Marshall Alison L. Martinez William G. McCullough Daniel Meyers Sheldon Meyers Shirley S. Meyers Regina Z. Michener Nancy and Richard Dorschel Family Foundation, Inc. Anonymous James M. Papero Christine C. Platt Diane M. Porcelli Shirley S. Preston James P. Prinzi John T. Purves Tracy L. Schleyer Frederick A. Stahl Gwen K. Sterns Roselia Sweeney Marsha Tillson Barbara Underhill Edward Vanzo Samuel A. Walrath Rudolph W. Warren Mary A. Worboys-Turner Phyllis LeFrois Anthony J. Malone Arthur E. Lowenthal University of Rochester Eye Institute Anonymous William J. Matthews Deborah Gee Wendy S. Micca Peter Micca Edward T. Smith Bessie Pires Anonymous Shirley S. Preston Harold J. DeFrine Carolyn B. Ettinger Richard N. George Kathleen Newcomb Anonymous William Stalcoskie Anonymous Gwen K. Sterns Eric Rennert Margery B. Sterns Hazel M. Swartz Richard Swartz COOPERVISION INTRODUCES SHARE THE VISION PROGRAM CooperVision, one of the world’s leading and fastest-growing manufacturers of contact lenses, and currently the third-largest manufacturer in the United States and worldwide, has announced an exciting new partnership with ABVI-Goodwill to create a donation program to help support people who lack access to professional eye care services. The Share the Vision Program is designed to help promote the importance of maintaining good eye health, and to enhance the preventive vision and eye care services offered to those in need throughout the community. “CooperVision understands just how important it is to receive regular eye exams as a means to maintaining optimum vision and eye health,” said Tom Shone, Senior Vice President of Strategic Marketing at CooperVision. “However, many people in the Greater Rochester area and surrounding communities cannot afford a regular eye exam, and therefore, do not receive the vision care they need.” CooperVision is reaching out to local eye care practitioners and asking them to enroll in the program in order to make the donation program a success. Throughout the year, CooperVision will donate a portion of all sales from local practitioners enrolled in Share the Vision to ABVI-Goodwill. Proceeds will benefit the Project Eye Care outreach program which provides a variety of vision and eye care services to people throughout the community who are uninsured or underserved. “The Share the Vision program encourages eye care practitioners to check out all of the great ways that Project Eye Care impacts the community, and we are grateful for the support we are receiving from CooperVision,” said Gidget Hopf, Ed.D., President and CEO of ABVI-Goodwill. “We hope that area eye care practitioners will consider joining our efforts by offering their time and skills to help those in need.” YOUR VISION IS OUR FUTURE One sentence in your will can help continue ABVI-Goodwill’s programs and services, today and in the future, for people who are blind or visually impaired At ABVI-Goodwill, we understand that providing for family and loved ones is always the first priority; however, many individuals also provide for the charities in which they deeply believe. We are always humbled and grateful to the many individuals who remember ABVI-Goodwill in their estate plans. Gifts from these generous and visionary individuals ensure the perpetuation of our organization and fund vital programs, services and jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired for generations to come. It has been said that rare is the person who regrets having been truly generous or thoughtful, and we believe that to be true. More often, well-intentioned people are sorry for not having done more to help others while they still could. When you think of making a gift to charity in your will, an outright bequest usually comes to mind. This can take various forms: A Specific Bequest is when you bequeath a sum of money or other property. In this case, you describe exactly what you want to leave to ABVI-Goodwill. A Residuary Bequest is honored after all other bequests have been made, and all debts, expenses and taxes have been paid. A Contingent Bequest is used when a specified amount or percentage of your estate is bequeathed to ABVI-Goodwill, only if your said beneficiary does not survive you. A charitable outright bequest in your will is a great way to support our mission and the people we serve. If you are interested in making a bequest to ABVI-Goodwill, and would like to become a member of the Foresight Circle, please call Tracy Schleyer, Director of Development, at (585) 697-5780 or email her at tschleyer@abvi-goodwill.com.