[Pictured right: 82nd Airborne Chorus at Ft. Bragg AbilityOne Base Suppply Center 15th Anniversary Celebration featuring Rep. Bob Etheridge and Kevin Lynch, Pres. & CEO, National Industries for the Blind]First in the Nation Base Supply Center Holds 15th Anniversary Event
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Fort Bragg, NC – Since 1995, the employees at the LC Industries’ (LCI) Base Supply Center (BSC) at Fort Bragg have been providing on-base mission critical support and outfitting the servicemen and women stationed there. Today, these employees, and officials including U.S. Representative Bob Etheridge (D-NC-02) and executives from National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and the Committee for Purchase from People who are Blind or Severely Disabled (the Committee), reached out to thank the community at Fort Bragg for their support and to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center program.
The highly successful and well regarded AbilityOne BSC program began 15 years ago, with the first location opening its doors at Fort Bragg on October 12, 1995. It has now grown to 140 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.
Rep. Etheridge, who introduced a Congressional Resolution commemorating the 15th Anniversary of the Ability BSC program, was at the celebration where he shared words of praise and admiration for the support the BSC store program provides the U.S. military at Ft. Bragg and throughout the nation.
“The men and women who work at the LC Industries AbilityOne Base Supply Center are supporting the 82nd Airborne by providing the products and services necessary to allow America’s military to complete its mission,” Rep. Etheridge said.
U.S. Senators Kay Hagan (D-NC) and Richard Burr (R-NC) also had words of praise for the employees of the LCI BSC at Fort Bragg and the AbilityOne program.
“The AbilityOne Base Supply Center program is working to provide employment opportunities to individuals who are blind or severely disabled in North Carolina and across the country,” Hagan noted in a statement released to NIB. “This program has roots in North Carolina -- the first center was located at Fort Bragg. AbilityOne employees are serving our country by working to support our men and women in the military.”
“I congratulate the AbilityOne Base Supply Centers on their 15th anniversary of operation. I am proud that the first AbilityOne Base Supply Center opened in my home state of North Carolina,” Burr said in a statement to NIB. “The AbilityOne program and the AbilityOne Base Supply Centers are to be commended for their dedication, commitment, and success in eliminating barriers to employment and independence for individuals who are blind or severely disabled.”
October is also National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a month-long observance of the significant contributions people who are blind or severely disabled make to our nation’s workforce. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for more employment opportunities for this able and willing segment of the population.
Also attending today’s event were Mr. Robert Franks, Director of Logistics, Fort Bragg, Barry Lineback, from the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, and Bill Hudson, President, LC Industries.
“Fifteen years ago, we saw an opportunity to create jobs for people who are blind, but I don’t think we imagined it would be as successful as it has been,” said Hudson. “I am honored and humbled by the support shown here today for our employees and for the AbilityOne Base Supply Center program. I know everyone at LC Industries is proud to serve over 31 BSC locations, offering quality, value and convenience to our servicemen and women.”
About National Industries for the Blind
At National Industries for the Blind (NIB), it is our mission 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. For more information regarding how NIB and NIB associated agencies continue to provide opportunities to Americans who are blind, please visit: www.NIB.org
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