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"To empower people with vision loss to realize their full potential, and to shape the community's vision of that potential.”
Our programs and services are designed to empower our clients to move beyond limitations.
SPOTLIGHT VOLUNTEER ARCHIVES
May Volunteers of the Month
Volunteers are truly the heart and soul of Cleveland Sight Center, playing an important role in helping our agency serve people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired. They have been instrumental over the years in enabling us to effectively provide services to residents of our community and beyond, and are critical to our future success. In fact, it was a group of seven volunteers that established our agency in 1906; volunteers have remained one of our most treasured resources ever since.
Last fiscal year, our volunteers gave 30,531 hours of service to Cleveland Sight Center saving the agency an estimated $595,660. What is even more impressive than these numbers is the impact volunteers have on the lives of our clients … something that cannot be adequately described or measured.
Every department in Cleveland Sight Center relies on volunteer support. Volunteers include board members, some of our own clients, teens, working age adults and seniors who often help with events, education, recreation, Highbrook Lodge camp, client support, information access and so much more. Some services, such as radio reading, Braille transcription and recording are primarily run by our volunteers.
On April 23, 2009, Cleveland Sight Center hosted its annual Volunteer Recognition Event at The Corner Alley which included a formal lunch followed by bowling. Among those in attendance were 75 volunteers of whom 25 were also Cleveland Sight Center clients. This was a small way to say thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers for the big difference they make each and every day at our agency and in the lives of the clients we serve who are blind or visually impaired. We are honored to recognize all of our volunteers collectively as our May Volunteers of the Month!
View larger screen format of the volunteer recognition video
April Volunteer of the Month
Eye-deal Volulnteer of the Year
Nan Trimble was a member of Cleveland Sight Center’s family for more than 30 years. She was a dedicated trustee and volunteer, who touched many lives through her compassion and enthusiasm. She served our clients and our agency in many ways, including as a member of the Camp Committee and the Sterling Committee, as a caretaker of a beautiful flower garden at the agency’s Highbrook Lodge camp, and she helped with the fur sale, which was an annual event in years past. As a member of the Delta Gammas she led by example in fulfilling the organization’s commitment to its own mission and ours.
Sadly we had to say a final farewell to Nan Trimble in March. In honor and remembrance of Nan, Cleveland Sight Center recognizes her as our April 2009 volunteer of the month, and Cleveland Sight Center’s Eye-deal Volunteer of the Year for 2008.
Learn more about what Nan has meant to our agency …
March Volunteer of the Month
Delos Nelson has a long and rich history with Cleveland Sight Center that began in the early 1970’s, long before our agency even kept records of volunteer service hours. He was introduced to the Sight Center through his good friend, Jim Goodwin, who served as the agency’s Executive Director at the time. After retiring from Central National Bank as its Vice President of Estate Planning, D, as he likes to be called, was anxious to get busy giving back and wasted no time in doing so.
D has always had a love for music and the theatre. He even had his own show group called “Nelson’s Folly.” D translated that passion into activism, and worked with others to bring the Audio Described Theatre Program to Cleveland. He recalled this as one of his most memorable experiences as a Sight Center volunteer, and continues to serve as an audio describer today. D’s enthusiasm for reading also sparked his interest in our Radio Reading program. D was instrumental in generating funds to support the Sight Center’s Radio Reading program. He and Jean Cannon Jacobs co-chaired our annual Fur Sale every Thanksgiving weekend for 20 years raising more than $600,000 for Cleveland Sight Center and its Radio Reading service. D also continues to volunteer as a radio reader today.
D has contributed his efforts to Cleveland Sight Center in other ways as well. He has served on several committees including our Special Events subcommittee, Communications committee and Pre-campaign Planning committee, and continues to serve on our Executive committee and Capital Campaign committee. D has also been an active and dedicated member of our Board of Trustees since 1985. D was employed by Cleveland Sight Center’s Development department for a period of time where he put his law degree to work helping to establish and organize our Planned Giving efforts.
For his copious and laudable service as a volunteer, in 2005 D was recognized as Cleveland Sight Center’s EYE-deal Volunteer of the Year, and he was recognized as United Way’s Spotlight Volunteer on March 6, 2009. In addition to his many volunteer stations at Cleveland Sight Center, D also remains an active member of the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity and Hermit Club.
We at Cleveland Sight Center are grateful for D Nelson’s contributions to our agency, and for his unwavering dedication as a trustee, committee member and volunteer. We proudly recognize Delos Nelson as our Volunteer of the Month for March, and extend our heartfelt thanks for more than 35 years of service to our agency.
February Volunteer of the Month
For 14 years, Rhea Meltzer worked as an Assistant Corporate Secretary for University Circle, Inc.. Prior to that, she worked as their Public Relations Coordinator. Upon retiring, she needed something to do and began seeking out volunteer opportunities in the community. After checking out the volunteer departments at various local organizations, Rhea was instantly attracted to Cleveland Sight Center saying, “Cleveland Sight Center had the best volunteer department out of all the places I looked into. The staff was bubbly and very energetic.” That was April of 2000, and Rhea has been volunteering at Cleveland Sight Center ever since.
Rhea has maintained many volunteer assignments over her nine years with our agency including Board Member, Chair of the Palmer Committee, Craft Room Assistant, Radio Reader, and Business Enterprises test reader.
When asked to recall her most memorable experience as a Sight Center volunteer, Rhea replied, “There are so many it is hard to pick just one.” Rhea enjoyed her time working with the ladies of Cleveland Sight Center’s Palmer Committee. “Their dedication and eagerness to give back to the community was always inspiring. I’ve never witnessed devotion quite like theirs,” said Rhea. While serving on the Palmer Committee, Rhea and her fellow committee members were awarded Cleveland Sight Center’s “EYE-deal” Volunteer of the Year award. The Palmer Committee recently celebrated a hallmark 100 year anniversary. “Whatever my volunteer station,” commented Rhea, “I have always enjoyed the friendships that I have made along the way.”
While Rhea commits most of her volunteering efforts to Cleveland Sight Center, she also gives her time to other worthy pursuits. She helped to get the Little Yellow House for Cleveland’s Botanical Garden up and running, and volunteers for a local company that helps start-up entrepreneurs prepare their business plans. When she is not working in the community, Rhea enjoys reading, gardening, knitting, cooking and baking. “I also have a love for art. I frequently visit the art museum and audit Art History classes as CWRU,” said Rhea.
Cleveland Sight Center is honored to recognize Rhea Meltzer as our February 2009 Volunteer of the Month, and we sincerely thank her for her 1,853 hours of service to our agency and clients!
January Volunteer of the Month
Lennetta Baker began volunteering at Cleveland Sight Center in November of 2007. After suffering a job-related injury that prevented her from continuing to work where she was employed, Lennetta was looking for other ways to stay active and involved. When asked what made her decide to volunteer, Lennetta replied, “Volunteering is a great way to keep your skills current and learn new skills. That, and the joy I feel helping other people brought me to the Sight Center.”
Lennetta started volunteering in our Human Resources department as a clerical assistant, and would fill in as an exam reader for clients in our Business Enterprises program. She also participated in our annual holiday food basket project helping to prepare baskets for clients in need. Lennetta then moved on to the “EYE-dea” Shop where she continues to work today as a customer service specialist.
One of Lennetta’s fondest memories while volunteering at Cleveland Sight Center is when a 10-year-old boy collected and donated toys and stuffed animals for our Bright Futures early intervention and preschool program students. Lennetta said, “There is such a wonderful spirit of giving that takes place at the Sight Center. I look forward to each day I volunteer here, because I know I will be inspired by someone or something.”
Some of Lennetta’s hobbies include bowling, singing, cooking, movies and watching sports. Lennetta also gives her time in another worthy pursuit volunteering at The William Bishop Cosgrove Center.
We at Cleveland Sight Center extend our heartfelt thanks to Lennetta for her 870 hours of service and are pleased to recognize her as our “Volunteer of the Month” for the month of January.
December Volunteer of the Month
Jean Miske began volunteering at Cleveland Sight Center in 1972 as a Braillist. Several years before, she had read an article in the newspaper about Braille and thought it would be an interesting thing to learn, since she always enjoyed codes and crossword puzzles. Jean became a certified Braillist in the 1960’s and began volunteering at the Red Cross. The Braille program at the Red Cross was eventually moved to Cleveland Sight Center, and Jean has worked in our Braille department ever since. In 1978, Jean accepted the position of Braille Coordinator at the Sight Center until her retirement in 1990. She continues to work as a dedicated volunteer in our Braille department.
When asked to recall memorable experiences during her over 35 years of service, Jean replied, “I enjoy knowing that the students are receiving what they need to obtain a quality education. I want people with visual impairments to have the same opportunities at success.”
Jean has received numerous awards and gifts for her volunteer work over the years. She is also an active member of the PEO Sisterhood and the Philanthropic Education Organization. Jean still enjoys crossword puzzles as her favorite hobby. With volunteer hours totaling 6,003 to date, Cleveland Sight Center is proud to recognize Jean Miske as our December spotlight volunteer and sincerely thanks her for her enthusiasm, commitment and dedication.
September Volunteer of the Month
Alexa McCubbins began volunteering at Cleveland Sight Center in December of 1989. After working as head surgical nurse of eye surgery at the Cleveland Clinic for 30 years, Alexa heard about the Sight Center and thought it would be a great fit. From the start, Alexa became very active working as a Crafts Room assistant and serving as a member of the Palmer Committee.
As a Crafts Room assistant, Alexa worked in collaboration with vision impaired crafters to create a wide range of products for the Sight Center’s Crafts for Sale department. Items were sold in the community which brought in supplementary income to support the department, as well as to raise the confidence and self-esteem of blind and visually impaired crafters. She created everything from center pieces for Cleveland Sight Center fundraisers to beautiful items such as a tree skirt for the Sight Center holiday Christmas tree. Using donated materials, Alexa also made curtains for Highbrook Lodge’s new cabin, Tall Timber, reupholstered cushions on one of two Cleveland Sight Center sailboats, and beautified the outdoors and indoors at camp with windsocks, pillows and wall hangings. In addition, Alexa took on the challenge of making blindfolds for sale over the Internet, raising over $1,500 for other Recreation programs and services.
As a long time member of the Palmer Committee, Alexa and others on the committee have served meals at social gatherings for blind and visually impaired club members. Her organizational skills and precise record keeping have provided continuity for the Palmer Committee and for the Recreation department, while her membership dues and donations have helped make possible the purchase of holiday gift baskets and holiday meals.
When asked to recount a memorable experience as a Cleveland Sight Center volunteer, Alexa said, “I enjoy serving the visually impaired, and being able to meet so many people.” Alexa also volunteers at Cleveland Clinic’s information desk and is a member of the Senior Horticultural Group at Holden Arboretum.
Alexa leads a very purposeful life helping others with vision impairment, as well as many Cleveland Sight Center departments and staff. When you pass our Creative Arts and Crafts department, look for the busy lady behind the sewing machine and congratulate her on her wonderful spirit of volunteerism. We at Cleveland Sight Center are proud to recognize Alexa McCubbins as our spotlight volunteer for the month of September, and thank her for 5,144 hours of service to our agency.
June Volunteer of the Month
John Borokhovich has been a Cleveland Sight Center volunteer since August of 2007. As a Hawken high school student, John was seeking to earn community service hours towards graduation. After speaking with a close friend who also volunteers at our organization, John registered as a volunteer at Cleveland Sight Center and continues to remain active to this day. Some of the volunteer assignments John has been involved in include assisting with the Eddie Baccus jazz concert, as well as helping clients who are blind or visually impaired as they participate in Sight Center recreational activities. John was also of tremendous assistance in preparing to showcase Cleveland Sight Center in University Circle’s annual Parade the Circle.
When asked to describe a memorable experience as a volunteer at Cleveland Sight Center, John stated, “Helping Sight Center clients is very worthwhile – all of my experiences with them have been quite memorable.” In addition to the many hours John devotes to the Sight Center, he also enjoys reading, video games and is an avid Science Fiction enthusiast.
We at Cleveland Sight Center proudly recognize John Borokhovich as our spotlight volunteer for the month of June, and sincerely thank him for his many hours of dedicated service to our agency thus far!
May Volunteer of the Month
Marilyn Bennett has been an enthusiastic and devoted volunteer at Cleveland Sight Center since August of 1994, after retiring from the Jewish Community Center where she worked as a resident activity coordinator for 30 years. She quickly became active and originated a monthly book discussion group for clients which continues to meet each month. Marilyn also formed the Sight Center Players, a group of actors and aspiring thespians who after fourteen years are still going strong. She leads drama groups at Cleveland Sight Center’s Highbrook Lodge Camp during its summer sessions.
Marilyn is an advocate for clients to self-actualize through recreation. She spends countless hours researching theatrical presentations and working with clients here at the agency and at camp readying them for their next performance. She works closely with staff to recruit clients and get them involved in the many aspects of theatre from reading to providing sound effects. When asked to cite a memorable experience as a Sight Center volunteer, Marilyn said that after just two years of leading the drama program, a client expressed to her that she and the Sight Center Players had given her a reason for living. Marilyn’s passion for live theatre and her enthusiasm are contagious, and she states that she is truly humbled with each performance they give.
She has served as a Sight Center Trustee, chaired the Recreation Advisory Committee, and after stepping down several years ago continues to serve as a committee member. She was also instrumental in initiating the “400 line” which is a call-in line for clients to find out about upcoming recreation activities at Cleveland Sight Center. On May 1, Marilyn Bennett received the prestigious Arline B. Pritcher Award for Direct Community Service at the National Council of Jewish Women’s annual Volunteer Recognition program at Temple Emanu El.
Cleveland Sight Center is proud to recognize Marilyn Bennett as our Spotlight Volunteer for May 2008, and we sincerely thank her for 1,200 hours of dedicated service thus far.
April Volunteer of the Month
George Connell has been a volunteer for Cleveland Sight Center’s sailing program since December 2003. As a skipper, he taught numerous people with vision loss how to sail including every aspect of crewing that takes place on a sail boat. While leading his crew, George always demonstrated the utmost patience and kindness toward our clients who courageously pursued sailing as a means of rehabilitation and recreation. George currently chairs the Sailing Advisory Committee whose focus is handling the day to day responsibilities of the program, scheduling sails, clean-up and repair of the boats and organizing the duties of each skipper, mate and sailor. George’s true commitment to this program and the people we serve has helped the Sight Center to fulfill its mission to empower people with vision loss to reach their full potential.
When asked to recall an experience as a volunteer skipper George replied, “One year we had a boat set sail right before the coast guard issued a small craft warning. It started raining and the wind was blowing upwards of 45 mph. I tried to call the boat on the radio but there was no answer. I was very worried; but, within a few minutes the coast guard’s boat appeared over the horizon. Everyone was okay despite the wind and water damage that occurred on the boat.”
George Connell is an active donor at Life Share Blood Banc. He has made 65 white blood platelet donations for cancer patients, and will continue until he reaches his goal of 100. Prior to volunteering, George worked as a professional painter and was a member of the Painter’s International Union Local 505. He served 4½ years in the Marine Corp and performed a tour of duty in Vietnam returning to the states in 1969. George enjoys crafts, building and fixing things, in addition to painting and gardening. For his volunteer efforts at Cleveland Sight Center and in the community, George has been named United Way’s 2008 Spotlight Volunteer.
Cleveland Sight Center is proud to recognize George Connell as our April Volunteer of the month and thank him for 243.5 hours of dedicated service to our organization.
March Volunteer of the Month
Beverly McMullin has been a Cleveland Sight Center volunteer since July 22, 2005. After speaking with a close friend who also volunteered at our organization years ago, and who spoke highly of her own experience, Beverly was eager to dedicate some of her free time to helping others and supporting our agency’s efforts. Some of the volunteer assignments Beverly has been involved in include our annual Holiday Greeting Card project, assisting our Development division with mass mailings, as well as offering a hand to our clients who are blind and visually impaired as they participate in Sight Center recreational events.
When asked to describe her personal experience as a volunteer at Cleveland Sight Center, Beverly states, “All of my job assignments have been memorable, and I truly enjoy working with other volunteers and Sight Center clients.” In addition to the many hours Beverly devotes to the Sight Center, she also finds time to volunteer in the mailroom at the Arthritis Foundation in Cleveland, where she received an award for “Volunteer of the Year.” Beverly works as a nurse’s aid at Judson Park Nursing Home, and also continues to be very active in her spare time playing volleyball, basketball and tennis, and also going for an occasional swim.
We at Cleveland Sight Center are proud to recognize Beverly McMullin as our spotlight volunteer for the month of March, and sincerely thank you for the over 925 hours of dedicated service to our agency!
February Volunteer of the Month
2007 EYE-deal Volunteer
Caroline Oberndorf started volunteering with Cleveland Sight Center while she was a student at Laurel School. She used to cook turkeys for holiday parties at the Grasselli House on East 55th Street.
In 1983, Caroline was elected to the Board of Trustees. In addition, she has served in numerous other areas, including the Nominating Committee, Development Advisory Committee, Linda Eastman Society, and the Public Relations Advisory Committee. For over 10 years, Caroline has shared her expertise in art to help Cleveland Sight Center realize donations of more than $50,000 per season for the holiday greeting card program. A gifted party-planner, she has been involved in donor appreciation events for Cleveland Sight Center. The Sight Center’s opportunity to host its annual meeting at the Cleveland Skating Club is due to her membership there.
Caroline is a board member who actively participates in many capacities, not only with her advice but with her hands-on involvement. She gives her time and talent for the good of the agency. She has even recruited her husband, Ed, to volunteer during the past two years. Year after year, Caroline has worked tirelessly to help Cleveland Sight Center provide services for individuals with vision loss.
We congratulate Caroline and thank her for the life-long contributions she and her family have made over the years!
January Volunteers of the Month
For the past 25 years the Cleveland Police Department has generously donated its time delivering holiday food baskets to Cleveland Sight Center clients who are blind or visually impaired. Each year between 15 and 20 Cleveland police officers, as well as officers from Euclid, CMHA, University Circle and Garfield Heights, arrive at Cleveland Sight Center to pick up the food baskets. Each holiday food basket is prepared by our own volunteers and filled with a variety of nonperishable food, fruit, candy and even teddy bears. Approximately 200 baskets were delivered to clients in financial need in December of 2007, and over 4,000 baskets have been delivered throughout the 25 years this special event has been underway. Cleveland Sight Center extends its deepest thanks to the Cleveland Police Department for 25 years and over 1500 hours of dedicated volunteer service, and salutes them for their caring commitment to making the holiday season a little brighter.
December Volunteer of the Month
After being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at age 9 and experiencing his own limited vision, Chuck Spencer became a client at Cleveland Sight Center in 1967, and participated in our rehabilitative programs to learn to live independently. He understands the challenges faced by individuals with vision loss, and credits the Sight Center with his renewed sense of hope.
Chuck began volunteering for the Sight Center in 1986, devoting himself to organizing and running support groups and low vision fairs throughout Cleveland’s westside churches, nursing homes and senior centers. In 1992, along with his lovely wife Edna, he began to co-lead the Parma Low Vision Support Group, which continues to be a successful and very active group nearly 20 years later. Regular attendance averages 25 people, but has on occasion reached as high as 50 people. Chuck recently retired from his volunteer station, but is confident that the group will continue to thrive and provide a sense of family and hope to all who participate in the meetings going forward. Parma Sun Post featured an article about Chuck and Edna in the November 22, 2007 edition.
“Reaching out to others is important,” Chuck says, “taking your disability, regardless of what it is, and reaching out to others to make them feel good about themselves is what it is all about.” Prior to becoming a volunteer, Chuck was employed by the Gas Company for 37 years until his retirement in 1983. Married for 62 years and with three children, Chuck and Edna are very close to their family and active in their church. Chuck and Edna enjoy frequent travel, including several trips to Hawaii, and loved to share their stories with their support group friends to motivate them to enjoy all that life has to offer.
We at Cleveland Sight Center proudly recognize Charles Spencer as our Insightful Individual for the month of December, and thank him for 1836 hours of dedicated service, as well as his wife Edna for 1427 hours of service.
November Volunteer of the Month
Patti Nugent can rattle off the date she began volunteering for Cleveland Sight Center like it is her birth date. “It was March 11, 2002. I remember the exact date because it is important to me,” she says. “I started my nursing career at Mt. Sinai (a medical center in University Circle), and I used to pass the Sight Center and see people with white canes learning to cross the street and move around in a newly blinded world, and I thought, ‘That is a good place; they do good work there.’ ”
Patti began helping at the Sight Center in the Crafts for Sale area and then moved on to become a radio reader on the Cleveland Sight Center Network, a radio frequency that broadcasts newspapers, publications, shopping ads and more to Sight Center clients. She reads the USA TODAY, Catholic Universe Bulletin, National Geographic, and Saturday Evening Post on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the Sight Center’s radio studio.
Patti is disabled due to an accident caused by a drunk driver, but she doesn’t let it dampen her enthusiasm for helping others or her dedication to Cleveland Sight Center. “I wish more people would give their time,” she says. “If people can give just a little, it makes such a big difference.”
Patti also gives her time in another worthy pursuit – caring for patients in their homes with her work as a visiting nurse. In addition, she found time this past fall to sell shopping passes for Macy’s Shop for a Cause, a fundraising event that benefited Cleveland Sight Center and other charities. We congratulate and thank Patti for selling more passes than any volunteer. Cleveland Sight Center salutes Patti Nugent as the “Insightful Individual” for the month of November.
October Volunteer of the Month
Ilene Rawson has been a dedicated volunteer at Cleveland Sight Center since June of 1993. She was inspired to get involved by personal friends who were also employees of the Sight Center. Ilene developed a special interest in the Sight Center after her mother was diagnosed with macular degeneration and received services here. Ilene has actively volunteered in several areas of the Sight Center including Business Enterprises as a reader, assembling gift baskets for our annual holiday basket program, as well as offering general assistance in the “EYE-dea” Shop, Volunteer office, Human Resources office, Public Relations office and Casework department.
When asked to cite her most memorable experience here at Cleveland Sight Center, Ilene mentioned that she wrote a letter to RSVP, a group in which she is a member, nominating the Sight Center for its “Volunteer Station of the Year” award - the nomination was accepted. Ilene is also a volunteer at Menorah Park where she works in the gift shop. Her hobbies include reading, needlepoint and traveling.
Prior to her years as a volunteer, Ilene worked as a teacher in the Cleveland and South Euclid School systems, as well as a travel agent for Cedar Center Travel. She is a member of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Greater Cleveland. Ilene’s total volunteer hours to date are 1379.25, and we are pleased to honor her as an “Inspired Individual” for the month of October.
September Volunteer of the Month
Happy 20th Volunteer Anniversary to Muriel Chasin! Muriel began volunteering in 1987 because she was “looking for something to do” in planning for her retirement as a Controller with an advertising agency. Twenty years later she has built a career of sorts, along with many friendships, at Cleveland Sight Center - contributing 2,803 hours - an average of almost 3 hours per week.
Over the years Muriel has been active in many CSC programs including Radio Reading, Fur Sale, Audio Describer, CRRS Workshop, and is a member of the RSVP group. She is also a volunteer with the Cleveland Orchestra.
In November 2005 Muriel received the prestigious Ruth Davidson Award presented by the American Council of the Blind – Ohio (ACBO), for her leadership in CSC’s Audio Description Service. Lynn Brewer, Cleveland Sight Center Network Supervisor, recalled how she enlisted the help of Donna Farr and others to “trick” Muriel into going to Columbus without spoiling the surprise of the pending award.
Since Muriel had a reputation for figuring out all surprises, the CSC staff had to be very convincing. They told Muriel that they wanted her to make a dinner presentation regarding Audio Description at the ACBO annual conference. Muriel was happy to do this, so off they went to Columbus, with Muriel – presentation script in hand – rehearsing along the way. When it slowly dawned on her that she was being recognized with an award for her volunteer service and was not actually there to give a presentation, a very surprised Muriel scolded her dinner companions telling them “you tricked me!” Muriel then graciously accepted the award, and proceeded to give her presentation regarding Audio Description. She did not want to miss such a good opportunity to talk about described theatre and the positive impact it has on CSC clients.
Muriel continues to be a tremendous advocate for the Center and its clients. Her dedication to us all is greatly appreciated!
August Volunteer of the Month
Ellen Dec has been a Cleveland Sight Center volunteer since 2004, after retiring from Delphi Automotive Systems as a training and organization development consultant. In that short time, she has assumed responsibility for coordinating the agency’s speakers' bureau, learned and performed every aspect of the holiday cards process, and initiated a general make-over of the former print shop area. This disorganized, unsightly work area was transformed into one that is very user-friendly. There are large-print and color-coded signs to designate each area, and also a diagram indicating where things are located. This room is now clean and well-organized so that projects can be completed more efficiently.
Ellen’s attention to detail and infectious laugh are instrumental in her successfully obtaining the right speaker, and making sure that the logistics of the presentation are clear. Her work with the speakers' bureau, including presentations requested through United Way Services, has helped to educate the public about the programs and services offered by Cleveland Sight Center. In addition, her help with the greeting card process has contributed to raising funds for general operating revenue. Ellen is visually impaired, and therefore a perfect role model for productivity and independence.
In 2005, Ellen started volunteering in the Sailing program, and was appointed to the Sailing Advisory Committee in 2007, where she is a safety and compliance officer. She works closely with Greg McGrath and his staff to ordinate teams.
Ellen has excelled in all of her responsibilities and is always willing to accept new challenges. She has worked on special projects with Lisa Cellura, Jeri Rask, and the “EYE-dea” Shop, as well as being responsible for the daily duties of the office when regular staff are out. Her willing spirit and efficiency make her a very valuable volunteer at Cleveland Sight Center.
In 2006, Ellen was a United Way Spotlight Volunteer. Since her arrival she has given the agency 1,573 hours of her time.
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