Apr 26, 2013
Rochester, NY – Camp Smile Inc., a not for profit entity directed by the Webster Lions Club, presented the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) with a donation of $17,500 to help fund the purchase of furniture and equipment for the organization’s children’s programming space in its new Vision Rehabilitation Center at 500 S. Clinton Avenue in Rochester.
“The generosity of the Webster Lions Club and the Camp Smile Board of Directors will help us meet the steadily increasing demand to serve more children who are blind or visually impaired. We are sincerely grateful for their support,” said Tracy Schleyer, Vice President of Development at ABVI.
According to Schleyer, donations such as those through the Webster Lions will support facility upgrades and enhanced program space in the organization’s new Vision Rehabilitation Center. These upgrades and enhancements will allow ABVI to respond to the growing demand for services, meet the needs of more children, and provide each the opportunity to have a full range of options to continue to live, work and play independently and confidently.
“The additional space and trained staff will also allow us to ensure a bright future for children who are blind or visually impaired and their parents, siblings, and families. New opportunities such as after-school programs, technology upgrades, play areas, weekend and summer programming, and expanded educational resources for families will all be made possible through the funds raised from the community,” said Schleyer.
About Camp Smile
Camp Smile is a day camp in Webster NY specifically for blind and visually impaired children. The camp completed its 40th year of serving the community in 2012, providing outstanding life experiences at no cost to its campers. The Board of Directors is exclusively comprised of Webster Lions, who oversee camp operations and extend support to other community areas of similar focus. For more information about Camp Smile, please visit Campsmile.org. Like the Webster Lions Club on Facebook.
Photo Caption
Camp Smile Board members David Lazzar (far left) and Vincent Hesketh presented a check for $17,500 to the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI)’s Nancy Nealon, Vice President of Vision Rehabilitation and Sarah Favro, Development Manager (far right) to support the purchase of furniture and equipment for children’s programming space in ABVI’s new Vision Rehabilitation Center.