UTICA, NY…The Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired recently honored volunteers at their annual meeting.
Fred Sadallah is the recipient of The Elizabeth C. Crandall Volunteer of the Year Award which honors exemplary volunteers who embody service and leadership at CABVI. It is named to honor Betsy Crandall a dedicated volunteer with the Mohawk Valley Braille Transcribers for many years.
Sadallah has been a volunteer at CABVI since 2000. He served 13 years on the Central Association for the Blind Foundation Board of Directors, the Dark Dining planning committee, and the golf tournament planning committee. Stephen Turnbull is the recipient of The Roger Sinnott Leadership Award which recognizes the accomplishments of a volunteer who serves on a CABVI Board of Directors. The award is named after Roger Sinnott who served CABVI as a member of the board of directors, board chairman, and chairman emeritus, from 1960 until his passing in 2009.Turnbull is the Vice Chair of the CNY Vision Foundation Board of Directors and has served the board since 2022. He has volunteered many hours at CABVI Camp Abilities and was instrumental in CABVI being the beneficiary of proceeds from the 2022 Rotary Service Above Self Gala.
“Fred Sadallah has been a leading volunteer at CABVI for many years in a variety of roles and has contributed greatly to the success of the agency,” said CABVI President and CEO Edward Welsh. “Steven Turnbull is the third generation of the Turnbull family’s board leadership at CABVI. These volunteers exemplify CABVI’s mission to help the blind or visually impaired achieve greater independence. Their dedication to CABVI is greatly appreciated.”
Two board members, Dr. Joanne Joseph and the Honorable Michael Misiaszek, were recognized upon their retirement from the board.
“On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Joanne Joseph for her exceptional service to CABVI,” said George Nehme, Chairman of the CABVI Board of Directors. “Dr. Joseph has provided wise counsel and steadfast leadership throughout her tenure, including her instrumental role in establishing a collaborative partnership with SUNY Polytechnic Institute and her meaningful contributions to CABVI’s Strategic Planning Steering Committee. Her commitment and insight have helped strengthen our organization and advance our mission in lasting ways.”
“After years of distinguished service on the CABVI Board of Directors and the CNY Vision Foundation Board, we extend our deepest appreciation to the Honorable Michael Misiaszek for his tireless dedication and passionate commitment to our mission,” Nehme added. “Judge Misiaszek’s leadership, generosity of spirit, and unwavering advocacy on behalf of individuals who are blind or visually impaired have made a profound and lasting impact on CABVI and on the countless children, youth, and adults we are privileged to serve.”
About CABVI
The Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a social enterprise established in 1929 by community leaders in Utica, New York, who recognized a need to provide services and employment to people who are blind or visually impaired. CABVI serves more than 2,000 people of all ages, generally free of charge, who are blind or visually impaired, in a 10-county region of Central New York. CABVI provides employment opportunities and a variety of vision rehabilitation services including low vision examinations, vision rehabilitation therapy, orientation and mobility, instruction in the use of assistive technology applications, employment training, adaptive recreation and sports, and social work. For further details, please visit www.cabvi.org/video.
Miranda Watson | Marketing & Public Relations Assistant
