Blind Employees Serve America’s Military at Luke AFB Base Supply Center

Luke AFB Honor Guard Prepares to Open Celebration Anniversary of the Focusworks AbilityOne BSC Program. Foreground: Col. McCutchen, Vice Commander 944th with Bernie Richardson, Focusworks Store manager.

Glendale, AZ – For the past 13 years, five blind and five sighted employees at Focusworks Base Supply Center (BSC) on Luke Air Force Base have been providing on-base mission critical support and outfitting servicemen and women for deployment throughout the world. Today, these employees, and the Arizona Industries for the Blind (AIB), reached out to thank the community at Luke AFB for their support and to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center program.

Focusworks, operated by the Arizona Industries for the Blind, also locally supports the Army National Guard, the 161st Air Refueling Wing of the Arizona National Guard, the U.S. Air Force ROTC, as the Veteran’s Administration, the United States Marshals Service and the Department of Homeland Security.

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.

U.S. Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) praised the work of the AbilityOne Program and the Focusworks BSC in a letter of recognition presented during a program at Luke AFB.

“It is a great pleasure to offer my congratulations and thanks for your long standing service at Luke Air Force Base and to those who have helped make the AbilityOne Base Supply Center Program the success it is today.”

“Today’s celebration demonstrates how the America dream is available to people who are blind through business opportunities, followed by hard work, innovation and quality service,” said Kevin A. Lynch, president and CEO, National Industries for the Blind (pictured left).

The 100 attendees included service men and women from Luke AFB; Arizona Department of Economic Security Director Neal Young, Glendale Vice Mayor Steven Frate, Goodyear Vice Mayor Georgia Lord, Avondale Vice Mayor Jim McDonald and James Omvig, Vice Chair, Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled.

Goodyear, AZ Vice Mayor Georgia Lord with her husband Col. Lord (Ret) talks with Dan Martinez and April Lange both with Arizona Industries for the Blind during a tour of the Focusworks BSC Store.

Colonel Robert K. McCutchen, Jr., Vice Commander of the 944th Fighter Wing unit at Luke AFB, said: “Everybody wants to do the same thing – be productive, raise their family and contribute to our community. The staff [at Focusworks] does that every day and you are serving your country well.”

Left - Carlos Paraskeva, Arizona Industries for the Blind; James Omvig, Vice Chair, Committee for Purchase - center; Jerry Eastham, Focusworks employee - 15th Anniversary Celebration of AbilityOne Base Supply Center Program, Luke AFB.

“I know our employees at Focusworks – who live in Phoenix, Glendale, Avondale and Goodyear – sincerely appreciate Luke Air Force Base’s mission and their support of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center program,” said Dick Monaco, General Manager, AIB.

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.

Focusworks AbilityOne Base Supply Store in Thunderbolt, Luke AFB Paper

Focusworks (pictured left), the AbilityOne Base Supply Center operated by Arizona Industries for the Blind at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, AZ is featured in a story in the August 27 edition of "Thunderbolt" the base newspaper http://www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb/pdf/

The story previews the August 31 Celebration Focusworks is hosting to commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the AbilityOne BSC program. Dignitaries attending the celebration include:

• Kevin Lynch, President & CEO, National Industries for the Blind
  
• James Omvig, Vice Chair, Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled
  
• Neal Young, Director for the Arizona Department of Economic Security
  
• Sandra S. Ledy, Military Affairs Specialist from U.S. Senator Jon Kyl’s Office
  
• Steven Frate, Vice Mayor of Glendale
  
• Georgia Lord, Vice Mayor of Goodyear(invited)
  
• Jim McDonald, Vice Mayor of Avondale
  
• Luke AFB Base Command Representative
  
• Carlos Paraskevas, Employee of Arizona Industries for the Blind
  

Read the story from this Google search:
Focusworks celebrates program's service
Aug 27, 2010 ... Focusworks BSC is operated by Arizona Industries for the Blind, a nonprofit agency, which is part of the Arizona Department of Economic ...
www.luke.af.mil/news/story_print.asp?id=123219551
For more information: April Lange, Focusworks/Arizona Industries for the Blind

NIB Thanks Blinded Veterans For their Service at BVA 65th Anniversary Conference

Ned Rupp staffed a table in the exhibit hall where he talked to attendees (pictured in the photo left) about the services that NIB offers to wounded warriors.

NIB is a proud sponsor and participant at the Blinded Veterans Association 65th National Convention, August 24–28, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.

At an Operation Peer Support session on Tuesday, August 24, Brian Hurley and Jeff Mittman shared their personal stories of how they became blind, but more importantly how their lives were altered and their careers changed, and the steps they took to adapt to their blindness. Brian, who is legally blind due to retinitis pigmentosa, expounded on the advances in assistive technologies for the blind and visually impaired. Like many in the audience, Jeff was wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq. In that attack, his left eye was destroyed; his right arm was badly damaged; and he lost his nose, his lips, and most of his teeth. He thanked the blinded veterans for their heroism and courage, and encouraged them to focus on what they could do and not on what they couldn’t do.

Ned Rupp staffed a table in the exhibit hall where he talked to attendees about the services that NIB offers to wounded warriors, and told them about the SKILCRAFT® products and services offered through the AbilityOne Program. The convention bags given to all registered attendees were courtesy of NIB and Lighthouse Graphics, an operational division of East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind.

On Monday evening, NIB hosted a dinner for BVA’s Operation Peer Support program, which connects combat-blinded veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam with newly blinded veterans who have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most of the newly blinded are young soldiers and Marines victimized by encounters with improvised explosive devices or sniper fire. NIB staff members attending the reception and dinner were Kevin Lynch, president and CEO; Angela Hartley, executive vice president; Thomas Panek, vice president, relationship management; Jessica Carter, director, public policy; Jennifer King, director, project development; Brian Hurley, external affairs program director; Jeffrey Mittman, national account manager; and Ned Rupp, veteran affairs specialist – wounded warriors.

For more information, contact Brian Hurley at 703-310-0327 or bhurley@nib.org.

Office Eagle AbilityOne Base Supply Center Holds 15th Anniversary Event at Ft. Knox

Office Eagle marks five years of service to Ft. Knox's mission and soldiers with Deputy Garrison Commander Emmitt Holly presenting a plaque to store employees (pictured left)

Fort Knox, KY – Today, U.S. Representative Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02), praised the work of the AbilityOne Program and the Office Eagle Base Supply Center (BSC) in a letter of recognition presented at a 15th anniversary celebration at Fort Knox. The Office Eagle BSC employs people who are blind or disabled who support the mission of American servicemen and women stationed at Fort Knox.

Office Eagle, operated by Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM), is one of 140 AbilityOne BSC facilities that provide mission-critical support for ongoing base operations and outfitting for military deployments.

“I want to congratulate the folks at the Office Eagle AbilityOne Base Supply Center for providing 5 years of quality service to Fort Knox,” Rep. Guthrie said. “I greatly appreciate their hard work and tireless support of the service men and women, and their families, who bravely serve our country.”

U.S. Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) also had words of praise for the employees of the Office Eagle BSC.

"I am pleased to congratulate the Fort Knox Office Eagle BSC for doing good work on the base and in our communities,” Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) said in a letter presented at today's ceremony by Bunning field representative John Salyers. "Through the AbilityOne Program, Fort Knox BSC provides full-service and flexible on-site operations and works hand in hand with the Base Command and military personnel to provide quality service, supplies and support to those on the Base. I am proud to represent you in Congress."

More than 40,000 blind or severely disabled Americans produceSKILCRAFT® products and provide services that are sold to the government and U.S. military through the AbilityOne Program. Service-disabled veterans are actively recruited by National Industries for the Blind (NIB) for employment opportunities within the AbilityOne Program.

(Scottie Knott, COO at NIB pictured left)“Just as the mission of Fort Knox extends beyond the perimeter of this important military installation, the contribution of Office Eagle to the people and economy of the surrounding area is also an important story to tell,” said Claudine “Scottie” Knott, Chief Operating Officer, National Industries for the Blind. “Office Eagle supports the mission and service men and woman of Fort Knox. It also supports the livelihood of the men and women who, through civilian service, support our military.”

“BISM is proud to employ over 400 exceptional associates at our eleven facilities in three states and the District of Columbia. And that includes the remarkable men and women we are lucky to have here at Fort Knox, supporting our servicemen and women at the Office Eagle BSC,” said BISM President Fred Puente, who oversees the operations of six BSCs on military installations in Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky and the District of Columbia.

With every purchase, government and U.S. military customers support the employment of qualified professionals who are blind or have other severe disabilities with each purchase under the AbilityOne Program.

The first BSC was opened in October 1995, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, by LC Industries, an NIB associated agency. Now there are 140 locations on military bases and in federal buildings in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

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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Arizona Industries for Blind AbilityOne BSC Celebration Luke Air Force Base

Focusworks AbilityOne Base Supply Center at Luke Air Force Base (pictured left)

Arizona Industries for Blind Celebrates 15 years of Service at Luke Air Force Base: 10:00 AM, Tuesday, August 31, 2010

GLENDALE —Focusworks AbilityOne Base Supply Center, operated by Arizona Industries for the Blind, will host a “Community Appreciation Day” at Luke Air Force Base, Tuesday, August 31, 2010 to celebrate 15 years of providing support to America’s servicemen and women and jobs for people who are blind or disabled.

The program will begin at 11:00 AM at Luke AFB. Please use the South Gate to enter the facilities. Because of security considerations, please plan to arrive no later than 10:15 AM.

For press credentials clearance, and maps showing how to reach the event, please contact Rob Vernon – 703-741-7536.**

WHAT: Celebrating 15th Anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center program’s service to the U.S. Military and federal government

WHO:
* Luke AFB Base Representatives
* DES Director Neal Young
* Glendale Vice Mayor Steven Frate
* Goodyear Vice Mayor Georgia Lord
* Avondale Vice Mayor Jim McDonald
* Representative from U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl
* Kevin Lynch, President & CEO, National Industries for the Blind
* James Omvig, Vice Chair, Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled

WHEN: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 – 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
* Program begins at 11:00 AM
** NOTE: Media wishing to attend the event should arrive no later than 10:15 AM

WHERE: Luke AFB. Visitors must use the South Gate.

About Arizona Industries for the Blind: Focusworks BSC Stores
Focusworks supplies Luke AFB, Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson and the Yuma Marine Air Corps Station with uniform equipment, office supplies, furniture and other basic supplies at base stores that operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Arizona Industries for the Blind, which is part of the Arizona Department of Economic Security, employs 75 legally blind individuals. The National Industries for the Blind and its 89 non-profit associated agencies employ 6,000 people who are blind through the AbilityOne Program. A total of 45,000 people who are blind or severely disabled are employed in producing products and services sold to the federal government and U.S. Military through the AbilityOne Program.

For Immediate Release Contact: Rob Vernon
August 24, 2010

Sen Bennet Letter Supports Blind Employment at Envision Xpress BSC Peterson AFB

Envision Xpress Serves Airmen and women at Peterson AFB BSC Event

On August 18, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), in a letter commemorating the 15th Anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center program, emphasized the need for equal opportunities to jobs that the AbilityOne Program provides people who are blind: "The services that the Base Supply Center provides are invaluable tools for helping America's visually impaired and severely disabled citizens find work."

Envision Xpress employs people who are blind or disabled who support the mission of airmen and women stationed at Peterson AFB.

Envision Xpress is one of 140 AbilityOne BSCs that provide mission support for ongoing base operations and outfitting for military deployments.

These employees produce and ship products, provide services and staff the BSCs. Additionally, service-disabled veterans and military dependents have the opportunity to join the AbilityOne team, where they continue to play a valuable role in the military communities that are significant to their lives.

Ft Knox Office Eagle Base Supply Store Celebrating 5 Years of Service Aug 26

Fort Knox AbilityOne Base Supply Center (pictured left) to Host Community Appreciation Day Celebrating Five Years of Quality Service and Mission Support

Fort Knox, KY — The Fort Knox Office Eagle Base Supply Center (BSC) will host a Community Appreciation Day Wednesday, August 26, at 1:30 p.m. on-base at Building 1717, located at 1717 Eisenhower Avenue. Those gathered will be celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Centers and recognizing Blind Industry and Services of Maryland’s (BISM) 5-year contribution of mission critical support for base operations and the men and women serving Fort Knox

Since 2005, BISM has provided a full-service and flexible on-site operation at Fort Knox. This BSC is one of 140 stores nationwide that employs people who are blind and supports the work of nearly 45,000 Americans who provide products and services through the production of SKILCRAFT® products sold through the AbilityOne Program.

Invited and confirmed VIP attendees include base officials, Congressional and community leaders.

For press credentials and clearance, please contact Elyse Petroni at 703-741-7500.

WHAT: BISM BSC Community Appreciate Day

WHO: Fort Knox officials
Staff from U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell
U.S. Senator Jim Bunning invited
U.S. Representative Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02) invited
NIB COO Scottie Knott
BISM President Frederick J. Puente

WHEN: Thursday, August 26, 2010 – 1:30 PM
*** NOTE: Media wishing to attend the event should arrive no later than 12:45 PM ***

WHERE: Fort Knox
1717 Eisenhower Avenue
Building 1717
Ft Knox, KY 40121-5143
Phone: 502-942-9690

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Rep. Dan Lungren Tours AbilityOne Program Facilities at Travis Air Force Base

Ever since U.S. Rep. Dan Lungren (R-3rd-CA) learned about the AbilityOne Program facilities at Travis Air Force Base, the congressman has taken a keen interest in how people who are blind are supporting the airmen and women at the base. On Thursday, August 12, Congressman Lungren toured the facilities – a new Call Center and a Base Supply Center (BSC), both of which are staffed by people who are blind.

“The new Call Center at Travis Air Force Base was extremely impressive,” Lungren said. “The ease of the adaptive technology was surprising, though it certainly requires tremendous skill on behalf of the people using it. This would be a great pilot program to show many other business and organizations across the country that people who are blind can do the job.”

Earlier this year, Travis was chosen by the Air Force to be the site of a consolidated Call Center that will serve 12 air bases by the end of the year. To plan for the mission, Travis worked closely with the NIB and NewView Oklahoma to consider staffing the center with employees who are blind.

Since early spring, NIB and other agencies have been recruiting employees who are blind for the Call Center. These employees are able to take the calls and route them to the proper destination using JAWS (Job Access With Speech) software.

Since 1998, South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind has supported Travis AFB with the AbilityOne: 1 Store Solutions BSC. Approximately 40 percent of the items stocked at the BSC are SKILCRAFT® or other products produced through the AbilityOne Program. This partnership is very valuable to base command and has been widely praised.

To learn more, read the news article and the attached press release. For more questions, contact Kelly Jamieson at 703-310-0324 or kjamieson@nib.org.
http://search.dailyrepublic.com/display.php?id=33211

Alphapointe Hosts AbilityOne Award Event for Seattle Lighthouse and the GSA Heartland Region on August 16

Seattle Lighthouse President and CEO Kirk Adams (pictured at right of Jason Klumb) presented a plaque to Jason Klumb, who accepted the award on behalf of the GSA Heartland Region for strengthening their commitment to the AbilityOne Program through the addition of the entrenching tool, or “e-tool,” to the Procurement List. The e-tool, also shown in the photo, is a lightweight, foldable shovel commonly used by the warfighter.

The team at Alphapointe Association for the Blind in Kansas City, Missouri, led by President and CEO Reinhard Mabry, hosted a special event at Alphapointe on Monday, August 16 for representatives from GSA Heartland Region, Seattle Lighthouse and NIB. The event provided the opportunity for the Seattle Lighthouse to present an award to the GSA Heartland Region. Attendees also met with Jason Klumb, the Regional Administrator for the GSA Heartland Region, to discuss future partnership opportunities, and the GSA team was treated to a tour of the agency.

Also attending the meeting were GSA Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) representatives Mike Brincks, FAS regional commissioner; Tom Brown, director, Customer Accounts and Research; Nathan Stewart, deputy director, Heartland Supply Operations Center; and Gary Jenkins, business management specialist; and from Seattle Lighthouse, Pat O’Hara, general manager of operations. I attended the meeting along with NIB colleagues Steve Heinecke, vice president, Product and Online Marketing; Shawn Spengler, director, Product Management Jan/San and MRO; and Ken Murphy, director, Communications.

For more information, contact Dan Carson at 703-310-0509 or dcarson@nib.org

2010 NIB/NAEPB Annual Training Conference in Cincinnati October 6-8

Register Today for 2010 NIB/NAEPB Annual Training Conference in Cincinnati October 6-8; Pre-Conference Communications Seminar October 5-6
Ken Murphy, Director, Communications, NIB

Registration is open for the 2010 NIB/NAEPB Annual Training Conference, scheduled for October 6-8 at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza in Cincinnati, Ohio. The conference theme is “AbilityOne: People Make it Happen.”

This is an outstanding opportunity to develop new skills, learn new information and generate fundamental ideas from excellent featured speakers and informative training sessions.

We will also honor and recognize the accomplishments of the 2010 Employee of the Year associated agency nominees and national winners ­ because people make it happen and make all the difference!

This year, the NAEPB Communications Committee is planning a Pre-Conference Communications Seminar focusing on "AbilityOne: Telling our Story." All NIB associated agency employees, especially agency communications team members, are invited to attend. The Pre-Conference Communications Seminar is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, October 5, through Wednesday morning, October 6, before the Annual Training Conference begins.

The co-chairs of the conference planning committee lead the two local NIB associated agencies: John Mitchell, executive director of Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CAVBI), and Robin Usalis, CEO of Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to tour both agencies and we look forward to celebrating CABVI’s 100th anniversary!

Click on the links below for more information about the conference and seminar:

Read the attached draft agenda

Register for the conference and seminar

Reserve hotel room


For more information, visit the Events page of the NIB website. If you have any questions, contact conferences@nib.org.

Rep. Lamborn, Sen Udal, Sen Bennet Support AbilityOne BSC Program in Colorado

Airmen and women at Peterson AFB served at Envision Xpress AbilityOne Base Supply Center

Peterson Air Force Base Base Supply Store Celebrates Service to Military and Community

Colorado Springs, CO – Today, U.S. Representative Doug Lamborn (R-CO-05), praised the work of the AbilityOne Program and the Envision Xpress Base Supply Center (BSC) in a letter of recognition presented at a 15th anniversary celebration at Peterson Air Force Base. The Envision Xpress BSC employs people who are blind or disabled who support the mission of airmen and women stationed at Peterson AFB.

Envision Xpress is one of 140 AbilityOne BSCs that provide mission support for ongoing base operations and outfitting for military deployments.

“On this 15th anniversary, I’m proud to recognize your part in AbilityOne’s invaluable efforts toward training and employment for more than 300 Americans who are blind across the country. I congratulate Envision Xpress for the good work they are doing not only on Peterson AFB, but throughout the country,” Rep. Lamborn said in a letter presented by John Herd, Rep. Lamborn’s regional director.

Colorado’s two U.S. Senators also had words of praise for the employees of the Envision Xpress BSC.

U.S. Senator Mark Udall (D-CO) also noted in a letter: “I am especially proud that Envision has effectively operated the AbilityOne Program here at Peterson Air Force Base, providing quality products to our service men and women and their families.”

U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) emphasized the need for equal opportunities to jobs that the AbilityOne Program provides people who are blind: “The services that the Base Supply Center provides are invaluable tools for helping America’s visually impaired and severely disabled citizens find work.”

These employees produce and ship products, provide services and staff the BSCs. Additionally, service-disabled veterans and military dependents have the opportunity to join the AbilityOne team, where they continue to play a valuable role in the military communities that are significant to their lives.

“I know from meeting these employees that this isn’t just a job to them,” National Industries for the Blind President and CEO Kevin A. Lynch said. “Envision Xpress employees work every day to enhance their personal freedom, their economic freedom and America’s freedom as they support Peterson Air Force Base’s mission.”

The first BSC was opened in October 1995, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, by LC Industries, an NIB associated agency. Now there are 140 locations on military bases and in federal buildings in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

“It has been incredible to watch not only this location grow, but also the aspirations of the employees at the Peterson BSC. I am honored to be a part of this great program that provides employment opportunities for people who are blind,” said Envision, Inc. CEO Linda K. Merrill-Parman, who oversees the operations of 15 BSCs around the country.

Government customers support the employment of qualified professionals who are blind or have other severe disabilities with each purchase under the AbilityOne Program.

About the 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.

AbilityOne Base Supply Centers Mark 15 Years

140 locations across U.S. provide jobs for 45,000 employees who are blind or have disabilities

Alexandria, VA – National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is launching a nationwide celebration honoring the 15th anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center (BSC) program which provides mission support at 140 U.S. military bases and federal agencies nationwide.

“BSC stores are directly responsible for the employment of more than 300 Americans who are blind or have other severe disabilities, which is what our mission is all about,” said Kevin A. Lynch, president and CEO, NIB. “BSC sales provide jobs and career advancement for the 45,000 people working as part of the AbilityOne procurement program to provide products and services to the federal government and our military.”

These employees produce and ship products, provide services and staff the BSCs. Additionally, service-disabled veterans and military dependents have the opportunity to join the AbilityOne team, where they continue to play a valuable role in the military communities that are significant to their lives.

The first BSC was opened in October, 1995, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, by LC Industries, an NIB associated agency. Now there are 140 locations on military bases and in federal buildings in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

“On behalf of the AbilityOne Program, I congratulate National Industries for the Blind for 15 years of Base Supply Center excellence,” said Andrew D. Houghton, Chairperson of the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, the federal agency which administers the AbilityOne Program. “We are pleased to provide quality employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities while meeting federal customers' needs through onsite retail operations.”

Eight cornerstone 15th anniversary events will be held at Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force bases throughout the country. Other dozens of local events will be held at other BSC stores. The event sites include:
• August 18 – Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
• August 26 – Fort Knox, Kentucky
• August 31 – Luke Air Force Base, Arizona
• September 1 – Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois
• September 8 – Fort Detrick, Maryland (tentative)
• September 24 – Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina
• October 14 – Fort Bragg, North Carolina
• October 20 – Travis Air Force Base, California

“The success of the AbilityOne BSC program has allowed agencies to re-invest profits back into job training programs and create more employment opportunities for people who are blind,” said Chuck Lange, Vice President for Base Supply Centers at IB Milwaukee.

Government customers support the employment of qualified professionals who are blind or have other severe disabilities through each purchase under the AbilityOne Program.

About the 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 88 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program.

Contact:
Ken Murphy
Director, Communications
National Industries for the Blind
kmurphy@nib.org

Peterson AFB AbilityOne Base Supply Center Appreciation Day

Envision Xpress Celebrating Eight Years of Quality Service and Mission Support

COLORADO SPRINGS — The Envision Xpress Base Supply Center (BSC) will host a Community Appreciation Day Wednesday, August 18, at 10:00 a.m. on-base at the 725 West Paine Street location. Those gathered will be celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Centers and recognizing Envision Xpress’ 8-year contribution of mission critical support for base operations and the airmen and women serving Peterson AFB.

“The Envision Xpress Base Supply Center provides an important operational and mission support service to the airmen and soldiers serving their country at Peterson Air Force Base and Ft. Carson. I’m proud to recognize the contribution to the base operations the Envision Xpress employees make daily,” said Congressman Doug Lamborn of Colorado Springs, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. “Congratulations to Envision Xpress for eight years of quality service and for creating and sustaining local jobs under the AbilityOne Program for people who are blind or severely disabled.”

Since 2002, Envision Xpress has provided a full-service and flexible on-site operation at Peterson AFB. This BSC is one of 140 stores nationwide that employs people who are blind and supports the work of nearly 45,000 Americans who provide products and services through the production of SKILCRAFT® products sold through the AbilityOne Program.

Invited and confirmed VIP attendees include base officials, Congressional and community leaders.

For press credentials and clearance, please contact Rob Vernon at 703-741-7536.

WHAT: Envision Xpress BSC Community Appreciate Day

WHO: Peterson Air Force Base officials
Staff from U.S. Senator Mark Udall (D-CO)
Staff from U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Col. John F. Hurd (USAF Retired), military advisor to U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn (D-CO-05)
NIB President and CEO Kevin Lynch
Envision Xpress BSC Store Manager Jerry Fordham
Colorado Springs City Councilman William “Bernie” Herpin
Mark Lucas, Executive Director, US Association of Blind Athletes

WHEN: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 – 10:00 AM
*** NOTE: Media wishing to attend the event should arrive no later than 9:15 AM ***

WHERE: 725 West Paine Street
Building 666
Peterson AFB, CO

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Contact: Rob Vernon
Phone: 703-741-7536
Email: rvernon@golinharris.com