Focus
A Newsletter of the Raleigh Lions Clinic for
the Blind, Inc.
Spring, 2004
Page 1 :
Hightower-Spruill Captures National Award
Kellie Hightower-Spruill has been named 2004 Employee of the Year by the
National (NIB) Board. Each year Industries for the Blind board members select an
individual from an associated agency to receive the Milton J. Samuelson Career
Achievement Award.
Samuelson was respected for his innovation and leadership in developing training
and competitive placement programs for people who are blind. Through this award
individuals who are visually impaired are
recognized for outstanding leadership qualities, a commitment to excellence, and
demonstrated career advancement. Kellie became Assistant Director of Service
Development in 2003. She has already launched a very successful volunteer based
reader service, EARS, and is developing other programs RLCB can offer to the
community.
Kellie was diagnosed with glaucoma at age 11 and began to notice a decrease in
vision when she was 14. The award presentation will be made at the NIB Annual
Training Conference in New Orleans scheduled for Oct. 11-17.
Volunteers Paint Smiles
A fresh new look has brightened the lunch room and work areas of RLCB thanks to
the volunteer efforts of Elfun (a contraction of the words "Electrical Funds")
founded in 1928 as an organization for General Electric leaders.
A surprise call to RLCB President Janet Griffey by an Elfun leader resulted in
the clinic immediately being adopted as a continuing community project and
shortly thereafter the paint brushes began to fly. For the first fifty years,
Efun was an elite group focused on financial investments and fraternal
activities. Membership was considered a “rite of passage” into senior management
in the General Electric Company.
{Picture Caption:} Top: The painting crew from Elfun take a break long enough to
pose for pictures. Bottom: Randy Barrar rolls out the fun with his palette of
blue.
Elfun’s Mission
• Further the interests of GE and its affiliates
• Serve the communities in which we work and live
• Promote the welfare of our members
• Encourage cooperation, commonality, and friendship.
In the 1980s, Elfun began opening its doors to include a wider membership, and
its focus shifted to volunteerism in the communities in which GE has plants or
offices.
Today, Elfun has more than 52,805 members - both GE employees and GE retirees -
in 143 Elfun chapters and three subchapters in many countries, with new chapters
starting each year as GE expands its global presence.
{Picture Caption:} Top: Victor Marshall raises spirits high as he covers every
inch of the walls with a bright new splash of color. Bottom: Gina Thomas and
Everine Whitaker turn the break room into a more relaxing retreat from work.
Employees of RLCB say just the smell of fresh paint reminds them that the lazy
days of summer are at our door.
Staff and employees want to thank the Elfun volunteers for all of their hard
work. We look forward to your next visit!
Page 2 :
President’s Message
The warmth and fragrances in the air, the blossoms and leaves on the trees are
sure signs that summer cannot be far behind. The winter and spring months have
continuously kept the staff and employees of the Raleigh Lions Clinic for the
Blind engaged in acceleration of existing government contracts, new product
development and the introduction of our new service program Easy Access Reading
Services (EARS).
Excitement was also in the air after the announcement of Kellie
Hightower-Spruill, Assistant Director of Services/Development as the 2004
recipient of Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement Award. Congratulations
Kellie, we are all proud of your success.
The surge of production in our manufacturing area has brought an increase of
employees in each department and the addition of a Production Manager, Mr. Jeff
O’Neal. Forecasting our future goals in the employment of people who are blind
is Mr. David Hart, Director of Product Development. The accounting department is
realigning with preparation of a new computer system supervised by Mr. Buddy
Smith, Director of Finance.
The Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind is forever changing similar to the
seasons. I thank all our employees for their hard work and dedication to an
outstanding performance in meeting our goals. The excitement I feel most is we
are positioning ourselves for future growth, future success and future quality
of employment for people who are visually impaired.
Janet S. Griffey
President/CEO
Page 3 :
International President Visits Griffey Shares Global Perspective
{Picture Caption:} Lions Club International President Dr. Tae-Sup Lee watches
employee Doretha Stubbs with past International Director Sid Scruggs and RLCB
President Janet Griffey.
Dr. Tae-Sup Lee, President of the International Association of Lions Clubs
toured the Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind during a recent visit to North
Carolina.
Dr. Lee said he was “impressed and moved. . .” by the work being done by blind
and visually impaired employees at RLCB.
RLCB President Janet Griffey found that she and Dr. Lee have much in common when
it comes to getting the word out about the work of Lions Clubs and the boundless
abilities of people who are blind or visually impaired.
{Board of Directors Sidebar}:
Board Members
Raleigh Lions Clinic
for the Blind
Robert S. Hall, Chair
L. Merritt Jones, Jr., Vice Chair
Mark A. Marley, Secretary
Dianne M. Ellis, Asst. Secretary
Robert C. Brown, Treasurer
C. Dean Howard
Thomas Jackson Sheets
Edgar H. Bridger
Graham H. Tannery
Paul L. Hinds
Jerry B. Day
Thomas E. Edwards
Hugh L. Liner
Dr. Jane D. Young
W. Casper Holroyd
William G. Parham
Sidney L. Scruggs, III
Elizabeth R. Dupree
L. Bynum Driggers
John A. Dinger
Pages 4 and 5 :
(The article on these pages was continued from page 1. In this text
version the entire article was moved to page 1.)
Page 6 :
Ms. Goodson Goes to Washington
{Picture Caption:} Pictured left to right: Daniel David, Greensboro Industries
for the Blind; Irene Goodson, Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind; Mark Murray,
Winston Salem Industries for the Blind; and Representative Richard Burr.
Raleigh Lions Clinic Employee Irene Goodson recently attended the NIB/NAEPB
Public Policy Forum in Washington D.C. Through her participation Irene became
more aware of public policy issues which affect employees who are blind and work
for affiliates.
Irene began her four-day excursion with RLCB Staff Melaney Stein, February 23.
On their first day, they visited the Charles Sumner School Museum, D.C.’s first
public school for Black children. The museum houses many pieces honoring
Fredrick Douglass, human rights advocate. The second day was down to business as
the forum focused on Legislative Advocacy, where an overview of Congress and the
legislative process was presented, as well as the history of the Javits Wagner
O’Day Act. Attendees were briefed on just how to approach members of Congress
and Hill Staff for their support on important legislative changes that could
affect JWOD jobs.
During visits to the Capitol on the third day, Irene and Melaney joined others
in asking Members of the House and Senate to support amendments to allow
Vocational Rehabilitation Programs to count jobs chosen in so-called
“non-integrated” settings as well as those in integrated settings” as
“employment outcomes.” Individuals under this newly defined category must be
paid at least the federal minimum wage. Reauthorization of the Small Business
Act was addressed as well.
{Thank You Box Bottom Right}: THANK YOU! Raleigh Downtown Lions Club, your
donation of air purifiers for our work areas was
a thoughtful and generous gift. We appreciate you!
Page 7 :
Spring Brings Growth to RLCB
The Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind welcomes new employees. Names of those
employed from January to March 2004 are as follows:
Employee Location Employee Location
Rachel Alexander Raleigh, NC Dwayne Moore Louisville, KY
Chris Beck Louisville, KY Thomas Moore Raleigh, NC
Ronald Challman Louisville, KY Robert Moreland Lexington, KY
Becky Collins Fort Campbell, KY Jeff O’Neal Raleigh, NC
Ira Evans Raleigh, NC Arlene Owens Louisville, KY
Jason Gainey Raleigh, NC Maria Robles Raleigh, NC
Kimberly Harris Lexington, KY Melissa Ryder Lexington, KY
Carl Harris Lexington, KY Charla Shown Louisville, KY
Buddy Smith Raleigh, NC Susan Johnson Lexington, KY
Yvonne Stokes Raleigh, NC Brooke Madden Gulfport, MS
Lonnie Swafford Louisville, KY Mark McLean Raleigh, NC
Byron Sykes Louisville, KY David Moody, Jr. Fort Campbell, KY
Ruby Wilkinson Lexington, KY Willie R. McNeil Raleigh, NC
Watch Our EARS Grow !
The Easy Access Reading Service (EARS) now has 29 volunteers available for
reading by appointment at the Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind, 315 Hubert
Street in Raleigh. If you are blind of visually impaired and would like to
schedule an appointment, call (919) 833-8611. Appointments are now being
schedule between nine a.m. and seven p.m. on either Tuesdays or Thursdays. Those
wishing become volunteers may call this same number to sign up for this greatly
needed service.
Page 8 :
In Memoriam
George Tudor Thornhill, Jr., a member of the Raleigh Host Lions Club for over 50
years, died on January 8. He was honored as a Life Member of the North Carolina
Lions Foundation and contributed to the Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind in
many ways. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the clinic at the time
of his death. He earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from Duke
University and practiced medicine in Raleigh for 46 years. He is survived by two
sons and two daughters and eight grandchildren.
Rudolph “Rudy” Gabriel Ofcharik died March 22 at his home in Raleigh. A member
of the Raleigh Host Lions Club since October 1968, Rudy will be greatly missed.
He was past president and treasurer of the club and was club secretary at the
time of his death. He was Governor for District-G in 1989-1990. He was preceded
in death by his wife, M. Virginia Woodruff Ofcharik. He is survived by one
daughter, Cindy O. Moss of Reidsville, NC. Rudy was 80 years old at the time of
his death.
{Photo Caption:} Coming Next Issue!
A visit from Colonel (P) Ray Mason, Commander of the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia
(DSCP) will be highlighted in the next issue of Focus.
{Bottom Right Box :} Focus
is a quarterly publication of the Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind.
315 Hubert Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-2392
Janet S. Griffey, President/CEO
Phone: 919-833-8611
Fax: 919-833-5664
Access Focus on our website:http://www.raleighlionsclinic.
com/newsletter.htm .
You may view a text only version as well as listen to an mp3 file, available for
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