ASB Visions Newsletter

• March 2004
• December 2003
• September 2003
• June 2003
• February 2003
• October 2002
• June 2002
• March 2002
• November 2001
• July 2001
• November 2000
• June 2000
• July 1999

November 2000:

• ASB Holds 41st Annual Louis Braille Awards Ceremony
• ASB Mourns Francis "Pat" Robinson
• ASB Plans Client Holiday Party
• November 30th Marks ASB's 17th Birthday
• Tips for Assisting Visually Impaired People
• ASB's Website Debuts New Look
• ASB Honors Past Board Presidents at 16th Annual Board Meeting

ASB Holds 41st Annual Louis Braille Awards Ceremony

The Louis Braille 2000 Award Honorees are: Bill Pasek, accepting the Corporate Award for Glaxo Wellcome; PA Public Utility Chairman John M. Quain, Individual Award Honoree; and, ASB Board Member & Volunteer Constance Moore, Special Recognition Award Honoree.

On Wednesday, October 11, 2000, Associated Services for the Blind held its largest annual fundraiser, the 41st Annual Louis Braille Dinner and Awards Ceremony. This year's event was held at The Westin Philadelphia Hotel and drew 235 attendees.

ASB supporters came across the country in honor of this event. Nikolai Stevenson, President of the Society of Macular Diseases, began the evening with an inspirational speech followed by the presentation of the Corporate Award to Glaxo Wellcome for taking the initiative to Braille labels for their dermatology products.

ASB's own Connie Moore was then presented the Special Recognition Award for her longtime dedication and service. All in attendance were then inspired by PA Governor Tom Ridge's video-taped message congratulating Individual Recipient John Quain. "It was a truly remarkable evening," said ASB's CEO Pat Johnson. "Everyone had a wonderful time," said Johnson, who also noted that corporate sponsorship assisted in making this evening a success.

ASB Mourns Francis "Pat" Robinson
Blind people throughout the Delaware Valley have benefited from the efforts of Francis "Pat" Robinson.

Mr. Robinson passed away on October 4th and is solely missed by all who knew him. As a member of ASB's Board of Directors since 1983, Robinson was a vigorous advocate on behalf of the blind and visually impaired.

He served as ASB Board President in 1993 and was a member of ASB's Executive, Finance, Investment, Special Events and Nominating Committees. He was also the 1998 Louis Braille Special Recognition Award Recipient.

Robinson, a former president of Boler Petroleum, resided in Villanova. He used his sound business principals to insure that ASB provided first-class service. In tribute, Robinson was honored at ASB's 16th Annual Board Meeting.

ASB Plans Client Holiday Party
With the holidays just a few weeks away, the ASB staff and volunteers are busy as elves trying to plan this year's Client Holiday Party.

ASB's Human Services Division has been organizing this annual event for several years. This year, December 18th has been selected as the date to host two client holiday parties that will accommodate 40 clients at each seating.

If anyone is interested in donating time and money towards this wonderful fun-filled event, please contact ASB's Human Services Division at 215-627-0600 x3259.

November 30th Marks ASB's 17th Birthday
ASB will celebrate the 17th anniversary of its incorporation on November 30, 2000. An in-house celebration will be held to mark this occasion.

Tips for Assisting Visually Impaired People
Have you ever wondered if you should offer assistance when you see a blind person on the street? Follow these guidelines to be sure you'll do the right thing:

• Always ask first - never approach someone or touch them.
• It is safest and easiest for a blind person to lightly hold your arm just above the elbow.
• When pausing for steps, curbs or obstacles describe what you're about to do.
• Mention which way doors open and when giving directions, say "left" or "right" according to the way the visually impaired person is facing.

ASB's Website Debuts New Look
Why not take a cruise on the information superhighway and check out ASB's website. Even if you have logged on in the past, this month marks the debut of ASB's new and improved new look. In an effort to keep up with the times and continue spreading the word on the quality programs and services that we offer, volunteer web designers Jay and Marie Berman have given the ASB website a makeover. ASB's homepage received approximately 16,000 hits over this past year.

ASB Honors Past Board Presidents at 16th Annual Board Meeting
Associated Services for the Blind held its 16th Annual Board Meeting on October 19, 2000. A special luncheon followed by an awards ceremony honored six past ASB board presidents, along with current ASB Board President Frank Gable, for their many years of faithful dedication and service to ASB.

Patricia C. Johnson, ASB's Chief Executive Officer, made the award presentations and gave a brief personal history on each of the honorees. The honorees included: Albert L. Doering, III; Rivers Jardis; Joanne Malatesta-Davidoff; Julian Siewierski; Margaret MacKenzie; Francis (Pat) Robinson; and Frank Gable.

Also honored on this day was ASB employee Simone Gavioli, who has dedicated 35 years of service to ASB. Simone currently serves as ASB's Secretary-Switchboard Coordinator.

Gloria Siewierski, pictured left, accepted ASB's award on behalf of her late husband, Julian. Also honored were ASB Board Members Joanne Malatesta-Davidoff and Frank Gable.

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