ASHEVILLE, NC (May 13, 2014) – Industries for the Blind (IFB) Asheville recently honored its employees, volunteers and customers for their commitment to helping IFB provide jobs, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. IFB, with manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem and Asheville, is one of the nation’s largest employers of people who are blind or visually impaired.
Carolyn Surrett was named IFB Asheville Employee of the Year. Surrett, who was born visually impaired, has been working at IFB on the sewing team for more than 20 years and often trains sighted employees on specific operations. Currently, Surrett works in the Poncho Liner department sewing binding to the liners.
Kim West of Asheville was awarded the IFB Career Achiever Award. She is the Director of First Impressions at the Asheville facility, managing everything from answering phones and greeting visitors to maintaining shipping reports and supply purchasing. Born with glaucoma that has left her with only limited sight in one eye, West is a graduate of the Morehead School for the Blind. Her husband Tony West, who is also blind and an IFB employee introduced her to IFB. West served two terms as president of the Haw Creek Lions Club, and currently sits on the Asheville Transportation Advisory Board advocating for the needs of people who are blind.
The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) received the IFB Customer of the Year Award. DeCA oversees 248 commissaries in 13 countries worldwide, and has partnered with IFB since 1998. More than 35 employees in IFB’s Asheville facility work on the DeCA contract, packaging and distributing impulse item that are then shipped to commissaries all over the world.
About Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind (www.WSIFB.com)
Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind (IFB) is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1936 that provides employment, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. As one of the largest employers of people who are blind or visually impaired in the United States, IFB operates manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem and Asheville in addition to more than 40 office supply stores and optical centers across the country. IFB also provides outreach through A Brighter Path Foundation, which operates Community Low Vision Centers across North Carolina and Tracy’s Little Red School House based in Winston-Salem.
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