1507 Kent Street, Utica, NY

(315)797-2233 • www.cabvi.org

CABVI to add 18 jobs: Federal agency

doubled contract for call center

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CABVI CALL CENTER CONTRACT

CONTINUED

3 - 5

CABVI SPECIAL EVENTS

6

2012 HOLIDAY APPEAL

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TRIBUTE GIFTS

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BOARD PROFILE: DICK DEWARCABVI President & CEO Rudy D’Amico, CABVI Board Chair Ed Welsh and Rep.

Richard Hanna (NY-24), announce the extended call center contract.

The Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) will

add 18 new jobs, most of which will go to people who are blind or visually

impaired, after a federal agency doubled the value, then extended the term, of a

contract to provide call center services.

The value of the contract will be $7.5 million over five years.

The contract is with an agency of the federal government and requires

CABVI’s Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) to verify, track and report

customer compliance with certain federal regulations.

“CABVI’s Customer Service Representatives are handling twice as many

calls than originally expected - over 140,000. Based on the call volume our

client doubled the contract,” said Rudy D’Amico, President and CEO of

CABVI.

Call Center Manager Ryan Eddy says there will be a distinct advantage for the

client. “Inbound and outbound calls will be handled more efficiently and

effectively. The addition of the new employees will drive down wait time from

callers and allow us to serve more people annually. “

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CABVI’s call center opened in 2010. CSRs make calls

to clients of an agency of the federal government to

guide them through a certification process. The clients

are able to call the call center from anywhere in the

country, to fulfill their obligations or receive information

from CABVI’s Customer Service Representatives,

between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“This contract demonstrates the faith and confidence

that the government has in the quality of CABVI’s

abilities and workforce,” Mr. D’Amico added.

“It also reinforces CABVI’s commitment to

opportunities for upward mobility within the agency for

employees who are blind and looking for a different

career path.”

With the call center expansion CABVI’s total

employment number exceeds 220, an increase of 86

employees since 2005.

Mr. D’Amico also offered his thanks to National

Industries for the Blind (NIB) for their guidance in

securing the contract and The Community Foundation of

Herkimer and Oneida Counties and the New York State

Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped

(CBVH) for their financial support of CABVI’s effort.

“When CABVI set out to establish a call center in 2007,

as a way to provide training and employment for people

who are blind or visually impaired, the Community

Foundation and CBVH provided the means to expose our

consumers to the competitive field of customer service

call centers. The professionals at NIB helped make the

concept a reality by bringing CABVI together with the

customer.”

This is the second major Federal contract secured this

year by CABVI. In April, the United States Army

Security Assistance Command (USASAC) named

CABVI a prime vendor for Foreign Military Sales (FMS)

programs.

The FMS contract requires CABVI to provide troop

support equipment and clothing items in support of the

Aberdeen (MD) Contracting Center – Aberdeen Proving

Ground.

Through FMS, CABVI supplies U.S. allies, such as

Canada or Iraq, with individual troop requirements like

uniforms, mess kits and field packs, just to name a few

items. These products are produced by agencies that

employ people who are blind or have other severe

disabilities.

Customer Service Representatives operating phones

in CABVI’s expanded contact center.

CABVI produces or packages dozens of products in

32 distinct product lines from file folders and

garbage bags to examination gloves and green

cleaning products. The agency ships products to

every state and Puerto Rico. CABVI counts the

following among its 3000 customers:

United States Department of Defense

U.S. Department of Homeland Security/

Transportation Security Administration

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

U.S. Department of Transportation

All agencies of New York State government, political

subdivisions (counties, cities, towns and villages),

schools and public benefit corporations

Departments of the State of New York (Corrections,

Transportation, Office of Mental Health, Taxation and

Finance, General Services, etc.)

Departments of the City of New York (Human

Resources Administration, Homeless Services,

Children’s Services and Central Administrative

Services)

New York State’s ten largest counties

New York City Department of Education

New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation

(representing 15 hospitals)

New York City Transit

Metro North Railroad, Long Island Railroad

State University of New York system

SUNY Healthcare Hospitals

Staples

Grainger

MSC Direct

United Stationers

Cardinal Health

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Thank you to our 2012 Special Event Sponsors

Air Temp Heating &

Air Conditioning, Inc.

Alliance Rubber

Arlott Office Products

Benefit Resources

Braden Packaging

Charles Gaetano Construction

Chima

Emerald Medical Products

Intgrys

Khol's

Leatherstocking Abstract, Corp.

Mayflower Trade

McDonald's

Mead Westvaco

Mountainside Medical

Plastic Bottles, Inc.

Red Steer Glove, Co.

Sempermed

Straubel Paper

Techno-Logic Solutions, Inc.

The Hartford

Uniglobe Manufacturing

Utica Valley Electric

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A record breaking 238 guests turn out for CABVI’s

Dark Dining presented by NBT Bankby Pam DelMedico

Yes, you read it right... 238 guests attended the sixth

edition of CABVI’s Dark Dining presented by NBT

Bank. Held at the Yahnundasis Golf Club October 20, the

event raised net revenue exceeding $75,000 to help

people with vision loss receive services in Central New

York.

State Senator Joseph Griffo led the way as host. Sen.

Griffo and former New York Governor David Paterson

again recorded an hilarious TV commercial promoting

Dark Dining. Sen. Griffo also played a video message to

Dark Dining guests from Gov. Paterson.

“I see you invited Joe back this year after the a bang-up

job he did last time,” Mr. Paterson said. “Proof that

miracles really happen.” Mr. Paterson then praised the

employment opportunities provided by CABVI for

people who are blind.

Each guest had the option to wear a blindfold, test

different vision simulators, or simply enjoy the event at

their leisure. The simulators, constructed by volunteers

Hazel and Herb Black, allowed guests to see what it

would be like to have a visual impairment such as

cataracts, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, macular

degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy. The blindfold

would give the feeling of total blindness.

The silent auction featured works of art created by

blind, visually

impaired, or sighted

artists, each a local

resident and some

being CABVI

consumers. The

auction raised over

$3,400.

The Yahnundasis

culinary team

prepared an exquisite

meal using local

products that were

donated to the

CABVI Youth Volunteer, Thirawit Zimbler, poses

with his painting “Fall Landscape” featured in the

2012 silent auction.

Dark Dining guests brows the 2012 silent auction.

event. Feast your eyes on this menu...

Amuse Bouche

Prosciuto & puff pastry wrapped asparagus

with a truffle drizzle

Appetizer

Duck confit egg roll with a sweet chili sauce

and soy glaze

Salad

Aqua Vita Farms spring mix served with roasted beets,

Jones Family Farm goat cheese, drizzled with

Tassleberry Farms strawberry balsamic vinaigrette

Intermezzo

Bleu cheese mousse stuffed strawberry

with balsamic reduction

Entree

Surf & turf with potato-crusted Chilean sea bass and

braised beef short rib served with a creamy herb

mashed potato & roasted squash

Dessert

Warm apple crisp made with Twin Orchards apples

served with Roc-Star vanilla ice cream

These delectable delights were preceded by a one hour

open bar and a full hors d'oeuvre buffet.

CABVI thanks Sen. Griffo for a job well done, and

Gov. Paterson for his continued support of CABVI and

Dark Dining. The agency would also like to thank first

time chair Joannie Grande of Mac-Clark Restaurants for

her great leadership and the hard work of the planning

committee: Mindy Barstein, Kathy Beaver, Anne

D'Amico, Rudy D'Amico, Pamela DelMedico, Mary

Dougherty, Paul Drejza, Paula J. Flisnik, Steve Gannon,

Debbie Kessler, Jim Marscher, Mary Monahan,

Michelle Senus.

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13th Annual Bramley Tournament a success!

Guests take note of the Brailled labels on the bottles

of wine imported from France by the Yahnundasis.

CNY Vision Foundation Chair Mindy Barstein, with

Assembly Woman Claudia Tenney at Dark Dining.

Roma Welsh, Dark Dining Chairwoman Joannie

Grande, and Anne D’Amico share a laugh.

State Senator Joe Griffo and CABVI President and

CEO Rudy D’Amico.

The Norman E. Bramley Memorial Golf Tournament held its 13th annual

outing September 19 to benefit CABVI. Organized by the family and friends

of Mr. Bramley, the 2012 tournament raised over $24,000.

Twenty-eight foursomes participated in this year’s event. The team of Gary

Scalzo, John Buffa, Lou Tehan and Chad DeFina won for the second time in

three years. Mr. Scalzo also donated nearly $700 in proceeds from the 50/50

raffle back to the tournament.

A longtime resident of Clarks Mills, NY, Mr. Bramley lost his vision

because of injuries he suffered while serving in the Navy during World War

II.

Since 2000, the Bramley family has raised $224,000 to support the services

and programs of the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

The committee would like to thank the event’s many

sponsors and contributors (see page 3) including Steet-Ponte

Ford, which sponsored the hole-in-one contest.

Former CABVI President Don

LoGuidice drives the 13th tee during

the 2012 Bramley Memorial.

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Holiday AppealDecember 2012

Dear Fellow Benefactors:

A year ago I wrote to you asking for your support of the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired during the

holiday season. The response from the community so overwhelmed me that I decided to chair CABVI’s annual Holiday

Appeal again this year.

I stand behind this terrific organization because my

grandmother, Mable T. Clark, was blind and received services

from CABVI forty years ago. She served as the Matron of the St.

Luke’s Home in Utica and could continue her duties largely

because CABVI provided free services to her, and many people

like her, with vision loss.

What did the Central Association for the Blind and Visually

Impaired accomplish with your generosity from last year’s

Holiday Appeal? Let’s review some highlights:

• Over 1,200 individuals with vision loss received free services

ranging from low vision examinations to pre-vocational training

for children and adolescents

• Preschool vision screenings expanded into Fulton and

Montgomery Counties reaching over 4,000 children, catching dozens requiring doctor’s care to stave off long-term eye

disease

• The agency continued to be a laboratory to train the next generation of vision rehabilitation professionals in a partnership

with Hunter College

• CABVI secured new contracts with the State and Federal Governments, which expanded employment opportunities for

people who are blind or visually impaired. The entrepreneur in me likes the availability of good paying jobs with benefits for

people who are blind. The unemployment rate for that population is an astonishing 70 percent. CABVI is a model for the

industry. David Paterson, Former New York Governor, remarked, “Amid a national debate about equalizing competitive

benefits for the disabled, CABVI is leading the way.”

So I am asking you to join me on this journey - to keep the momentum growing for

people who are blind or visually impaired. As with any expedition, our path will offer

unique challenges but the rewards will be bountiful.

We’ll know we truly made a difference because meaningful employment for a

person who is blind is an adventure that leads to dignity, self-respect and

independence.

For others with vision loss, the path they’ll take will be a little different: an elderly

friend or loved one will learn skills to remain safe and independent in their homes

and communities, while children who need a leg up to excel at school, will get that

assistance from CABVI.

Many organizations will ask for your help this Holiday season. Please help one that

helps so many others. This year, help CABVI

Sincerely,

P.S. I contribute annually to CABVI because every dollar raised stays in Central New York serving people who are blind or

visually impaired. We are deeply grateful for your last gift. I hope you’ll renew your support today. Thank you for caring!

Harold T. Clark, Jr.

Honorary Chairperson

CABVI Holiday Appeal

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Gifts in MemoryJuly 14, 2012 through October 31, 2012

William S. Calli

Rudy and Anne D’Amico

Antoinette Cirasuolo Pianella

Roberta True

Joan Digamus

Sandra L. Barnard

Joseph and Mary Jones

George and Barbara Mierek

Walter and Barbara Mierek

Staley Sunshine Club

Brenda Taylor

John and Jeannine Terek

Katarena Waterman

Robert and Nancy Wilson

Jack Fleury

Rudy and Anne D’Amico

Connie Gaetano

Faxton-St Luke’s Healthcare-

St. Luke’s Home

Rhea Goodman

Kenneth and Eleanor Thayer

Owen Hughes

Patricia Carnicelli

Charlene Castelletti

Michael and Jennifer Dorsino

Dorothy Farney

Deborah Favata

Cindy and P. Daniel Freudenberger

Carl and Katherine Graziadei

Michael and Christine Hoke

Lorraine M. Humphreys

Betty D. Kotary

Janet Lascurettes

Oriskany Teachers’ Association

Janice Russell

Elizabeth F. Smith

Louis and Eileen Sunderhaft

Alexandra Kogut

CABVI Employees

Ann K. Lekki

Gloria A Lekki-Macri, Esq.

Linda Martinelli

Vincent and Patricia Martinelli

Ronald Michalowski

Rudy and Anne D’Amico

Ruth Miller

William and Marjorie Callan

Robert Neuse

Roberta A Brockway

Robert A. Payne

Rudy and Anne D’Amico

Steve and Patty Gannon

Antoinette Pianella

Arline M. Dorozynski

Marie Eveges

Robert and Patricia Gondek

Mark and Janet Hanna

James and Karen Herrick

John and Cecelia Huther

Robert and Susan Kane

Linda Marino

Steve and JoAnn McCall

Daniel and Janet McCauley

Edward and Rosemary Nandzik

Parkhurst Unit 1448

Mildred Potrzeba

Eric Bjornland

Gifts in Honor

Kathy Beaver

Rehabilitation Staff at CABVI

Alice Kirker

Beverly Briggs

Linda Walsh

Lions Club of Sauquoit Valley

Legacy

SocietyGenerous contributors help the

Central Association for the Blind

and Visually Impaired provide our

vision rehabilitation services

without charge. Tens of thousands

of people who are blind or visually

impaired have benefitted from

your generosity through the years.

CABVI created the Legacy

Society to honor individuals whose

gifts through wills, life insurance,

retirement plans and various

charitable trusts or annuities have

already been received or will

someday accrue to the agency.

You can join the CABVI Legacy

Society by naming CABVI in your

will for a specific dollar amount or

a percentage of your net residual

estate. If you have a will already,

an amendment called a codicil

should suffice.

Following is sample wording of a

bequest codicil:

I give to the Central Association

for the Blind and Visually

Impaired of Utica, New York, ____

dollars ($_____) or _____% of my

net residual estate.

We are deeply grateful to each and

every donor for their thoughtful

commitment to the future financial

well-being of the Central

Association for the Blind and

Visually Impaired. For more

information about the Legacy

Society, please call Mary

Monahan, Public Relations and

Development Specialist at

(315) 797-2233.

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Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired507 Kent StreetUtica, NY 13501

Address Service Requested

Rudy D’AmicoPresident and CEO

DIRECTORSEdward P. Welsh, ChairKenneth C. Thayer, Vice ChairJames B. Turnbull, IV, Vice ChairGen. Richard Evans, USA Ret., TreasurerMarie Bord, SecretaryMargaret G. Brown, CPARichard DewarHon. Ralph J. EannaceJoseph Gale, M.D.Shawn KellyHon. Michael J. MisiaszekCynthia J. Parlato, M.D.Barton R. RasmusCol. Paul A. Steves, USA Ret.Thomas P. Webb, O.D.

EMERITIMark H. Elias, M.D.Mrs. Robert H. Fearon, Jr.Charles A. GaetanoMrs. Emlyn I. GriffithMrs. James P. O’DonnellRobert A. Payne, Sr.Julius Perillo

C.A.B. FOUNDATIONMichael J. Misiaszek, Esq., ChairFred Sadallah, Vice ChairWilliam L. Corrigan, Secretary/TreasurerPondra Bowen-KitchenSteve CaterRay O’BrienBart RasmusEdward P. WelshMichael Wicks, Ph.D.

EMERITIRemi CharleboisJim Robinson

CNY VISION FOUNDATIONMindy S. Barstein, ChairpersonGary D. Scalzo, Vice-ChairmanTammy Puchalski, TreasurerDebbie Kessler, SecretaryAndrew Cleary, MBAPaul DrejzaRalph ImundoBarry SinnottMatthew SistiEdward P. Welsh

NONPROFIT

ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

UTICA NY

PERMIT NO. 324

Current newsletters and annual reports are available in Braille, on disk, audiocassette or onour website cabvi.org. If you prefer to receive future editions of our publications in oneof these alternative formats, call CABVI at (315)797-2233.

Established in 1929, CABVI is a not-for-profit agency that serves people who areblind or visually impaired, from newbornsto the elderly, generally free of charge.Our staff of professionals offerscomprehensive vision rehabilitation,employment and technology services,personally tailored to people with visualimpairments. Our mission is to assistpeople who are blind or visuallyimpaired achieve their highest levelsof independence.

Focus, the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired’s newsletter, is published three times annually by the Public Relations Department at the Central Association for the Blind

and Visually Impaired, 507 Kent Street, Utica, NY 13501. Volume 18, Issue 3. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Focus, Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired,

507 Kent Street, Utica, NY 13501.

(315) 797-2233 . (877) 719-9996

Board Member

Profile: Dick DewarWhile casually enjoying Dark Dining,

CABVI Board Member Dick Dewar

surveyed the scene and used one word

to describe his experience: Synergy.

“I look at everything about this

agency, the services, the people –

what’s going on here tonight – and I

see everyone moving in one direction,

helping where we can.

“That’s my definition of synergy.”

Dick’s affiliation with CABVI started

through his friendship with CABVI

President & CEO Rudy D’Amico.

“Rudy and I go back a long way. I’ve followed his involvement with the

agency. It took a while but I caught his enthusiasm.”

Dick joined the CABVI Board of Directors in 2010. “I serve with bright,

forthright people. I’ve never been more proud to be associated with a cause.

A Sunoco franchisee with stores along

the New York State Thruway, Dick is

father to three daughters, “all still living

in Central New York,” and seven

grandchildren. He shares his time with

Rita Kempson, herself a volunteer at

CABVI.

“See? That’s what I mean by synergy!”