[pictured left to right: Capt. John Malifitano, Commanding Officer, Great Lakes Naval Air Station; Michelle Mills, Servmart; John Baumgart, Associated Industries for the Blind] September 1, 2010: Great Lakes, IL – Since 1997, the employees at Servmart Base Supply Center (BSC) at Naval Station Great Lakes have been providing on-base mission critical support and outfitting the Sailors and Officers at this Naval Training Center. Today, these employees, and Associated Industries of the Blind (AIB), reached out to thank the community at Great Lakes for their support and to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center program.
U.S. Representative Mark Kirk (R-IL-10) praised the work of the AbilityOne Program and the Servmart BSC in a letter of recognition presented during a program at Great Lakes.
“Congratulations to you and the employees at AIB Servmart Base Supply Center for providing exceptional service to Naval Station Great Lakes since 1997,” Rep. Kirk wrote. “With each purchase at an AbilityOne BSC, customers support the employment of qualified professionals who are blind or have other severe disabilities. On this 15th anniversary of the AbilityOne BSC Program, I am pleased to congratulate AIB Servmart for doing great work at Naval Station Great Lakes and in our community. I wish you all the best and look forward to many more years of outstanding service."
“The employees at the Great Lakes Servmart Base Supply Center provide essential support to the men and women serving our country at Naval Station Great Lakes. I am pleased National Industries for the Blind chose to highlight the contributions of this BSC, and I congratulate the Servmart BSC at Great Lakes on its 13th Anniversary as the AbilityOne BSC program marks its 15th Anniversary,” U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) said in a statement released to National Industries for the Blind.
There are 140 AbilityOne BSC facilities located at federal and military installations throughout the United States that provide employment to 300 Americans who are blind or severely disabled. More than 40,000 blind or disabled people are employed through the sale of products and services through the AbilityOne Program.
“In today’s economy, I believe more than perhaps ever before, Americans have a deeper understanding of the important value and benefits of a good job,” said Claudine “Scottie” Knott, Chief Operating Officer, National Industries for the Blind. “Yes, Servmart supports the mission and the Sailors and Officers of Naval Station Great Lakes. But it also supports the livelihood of the men and women who, through civilian service, support our military. Servmart and NIB personnel are proud to be included in supporting America’s Armed Forces.”
Also attending today’s event were Captain John Malfitano, Base Commander, and Barry Lineback, Director of Business Operations, Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled.
“Our employees are our greatest assets and we currently employ over 200 individuals. Over 75 percent of those individuals are blind or visually impaired,” said John Baumgart, President, Associated Industries for the Blind, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “We currently operate nine BSCs located on military bases around the country, including Hawaii, and that number is growing. We are very proud to offer quality, value and convenience to our servicemen and women.”
About National Industries for the Blind
NIB’s (www.NIB.org) mission is to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. NIB and 89 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program, established by the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act.
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