News & Events
Download our most recent newsletter:
HKSB Legacy, Winter 2008 (pdf document)
Events News
Save the Date!
Thursday, September 17—33rd Anniversary Sound & Light Gala (details)
CLC Holds Preschool Graduation 2009
The Children’s Learning Center held its annual Preschool Graduation Ceremony on June 19th at National Grid’s Auditorium in downtown Brooklyn. After the procession of graduates, the invocation was given by Deacon Bill Powers of the Oratory Church of St. Boniface. Performances, led by music teacher Michel Gentile, included the songs “I Know” and “Take Time in Life.” Leah Riman was this year’s recipient of the Parent Award, recognized for her advocacy work on behalf of the school. HKSB wants to give a special thanks to the Lions Club International-District 20-K1; NYC Early Intervention; NYC Department of Education; the Committee on Preschool Special Education; National Grid; Philip Stenger; and TD Bank for making our school year a successful one!
The 2009 graduates were: Kiren Ahmed, Rushan Balachaneran, Diorgin Bonilla, Cameron Dotzler, Genevia High, Cortez Jolley, Tasrib Mahmud, Kiara Marquez, Erwin Martinez, Angelica McLeod, Isaiah Montgomery, Logan Riman, Jada Simpkins, and A’mayah Young
Lots of photos from the Children’s Learning Center graduation
All photos by Joe Rosen of PhotoBureau.
Garden City League Holds Final Meeting
With heavy hearts, the Garden City League for Helen Keller Services for the Blind (HKSB) held its annual and final meeting on June 8, 2009 at the Orchid Restaurant in Garden City.
At the event, co-presidents Irma Annunziato and Joy Losgar presented HKSB executive director John Lynch with a check for $4,000. The funds raised will be used towards camp sponsorships at Camp Helen Keller — a six-week free day camp for blind or visually impaired children ages 4 to 15 that is located on the campus of Farmingdale State College.
The Garden City League for HKSB was the oldest and last league to raise funds for the agency. The League was formed in May of 1961 and over the years has raised over $580,000 for Camp Helen Keller. Ann Wassmer, who had been the president of the Garden City League for HKSB for over 16 years until 2006, was present at the final meeting.
“The dedication of this group over the years has enabled our campers to enjoy a variety of recreational and educational activities that improved their self-esteem, self-confidence and socialization skills,” said Mr. Lynch. “These ladies have worked tirelessly over the years and we will miss them very much.”
Over the past 50 years there have been 12 Leagues raising funds for HKSB, including the Rockville Centre-Oceanside League, the Baldwin-Freeport League, the Huntington Burrwood League, the Manhasset Burrwood League, the South Shore Bay League, the Brooklyn League and the Manhattan League.
Photos: Co-presidents Joy Losgar and Irma Annunziato present the last League check to HKSB Executive Director John Lynch; League officers gather round for one final group shot. Behind co-president Joy Losgar are John Lynch and HKSB Asst. Exec. Director Lorraine LoCurto
HKSB holds 19th annual Golf Classic
More than 104 men and women attended Helen Keller Services for the Blind’s 19th Annual Golf Classic, honoring Umberto Corteo of Umberto’s Restaurant. The golf outing, which raised over $75,000, was held at the Garden City Country Club with a program that included a cocktail hour, buffet, and awards presentation for low gross, low net, long drive, and closest to the pin. Donations for the raffle were made by Brooks Brothers, Callaway, and Ridgewood Savings Bank, which donated a 50" HDTV.
Wills Awards Luncheon Honors Proctor Wong and Hakeem Jeffries
The 32nd Annual Louis C. Wills Award Luncheon on May 8, 2009 honored Proctor Wong, Executive Vice President, Newmark Frank Knight Real Estate and Hakeem Jeffries, New York State Assembly Member.
HKSB Celebrates 200th Anniversary of Louis Braille
Pioneer’s Work Lives on Through Helen Keller Services for the Blind’s Braille Center
New York, January 16, 2009 — Helen Keller Services for the Blind kicked off their year long commemoration of Louis Braille’s bicentennial with a birthday party at its Louis Anzalone Braille Center in Hempstead. Those who gathered to blow out the candles included individuals who work and volunteer at the Braille Center.
Since 1952, the Louis Anzalone Braille Center has provided Braille and large print textbooks and educational materials to students who are visually impaired in grades K to 12. “By producing and distributing a physical textbook for each student, we provide access to information that allows them to participate in classroom activities and demonstrate their unique skills sets,” said Karen Barrett, Director of the Center.
Louis Braille’s system is used world-wide. Born in 1809 in Coupvray, France, Braille lost his sight at the age of 3. As a student, Braille was unsatisfied with the system being used to teach those who were visually impaired and began inventing his own system by the age of 15. Braille’s code uses characters formed by the combination of six raised dots that are arranged in a cell. One cell consists of two columns of three dots each. These cells make up a letter, word or punctuation mark. Although Braille eventually became a well-respected teacher in his time, his system was not officially recognized in France until two years after his death in 1854.
“Mr. Braille’s system allows us to assist children in their quest for higher education and gainful employment,” said Ms. Barrett. A wonderful example of this is a student who volunteered and worked at the Louis Anzalone Braille Center, Christopher Kchao. Blind since birth, Chris was a production assistant who learned firsthand how the very books he used were put together. Chris is now a junior at Hunter College and dreams of becoming a lawyer.
Irene Major, a former teacher of Braille for over 26 years, volunteers at the Braille Center. “Braille opens up the world of books to blind children,” she said. “Louis Braille devised a brilliant system!”
Since 1893, Helen Keller Services for the Blind (HKSB) has been a pioneer in the field of blindness rehabilitation and served thousands and thousands of blind and visually impaired individuals. Headquartered in Brooklyn, the agency has additional rehabilitation sites in Hempstead and Huntington, Long Island and operates the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults in Sands Point, New York.
For more information on the Louis Anzalone Braille Center, please call Karen Barrett at 516-485-1234.
32nd Anniversary Sound & Light Gala honors Brett Craig and Walt Frazier
With over 250 people in attendance, Helen Keller Services for the Blind held its 32nd Anniversary Sound & Light Gala on September 25th at Stage 6 at Steiner Studios, right here in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The organization honored individuals for their significant contributions to our community — basketball hall of famer, community activist and inspirational writer Walt “Clyde” Frazier, and Brett Craig, President of Transitions Optical (at right).
Borough President Marty Markowitz’s representative Xamayla Rose read a proclamation commemorating the event to begin the evening. The Gala was moderated by Mistress of Ceremonies Michelle Charlesworth, co-anchor of WABC-TV, Channel 7. Guests danced the night away to music and singing from the Hank Lane Band. The event raised more than $200,000 for Helen Keller Services for the Blind.
Lots of photos from the 2008 Gala
Camp Helen Keller Ends Summer Session With a Celebration of the Movies
August 8, 2008—At Roosevelt Hall, on the beautiful and spacious campus of Farmingdale State College, Camp Helen Keller ended its 2008 summer session with an array of songs and skits dedicated to the movies.
With over 300 in attendance, including many a proud parent, sibling, aunt and uncle, the children of the camp danced and sang to such old familiar tunes as the Wizard of Oz’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “The Lollipop Guild” to modern day entries like “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” from Lilo & Stitch.
The show capped an already action filled summer of fun. In addition to their regularly scheduled activities (from indoor swimming to adaptive computer instruction to arts and crafts), the 42 children this year were visited by recording artist and New York native Gia Farrell. Gia answered questions regarding the music industry and performed her single, “Hit Me Up” which was featured in the movie Happy Feet.
“The show has such a special place in our hearts,” said Joy Losgar, co-president of HKSB’s Garden City League, a major supporter of the camp. “We love not only their enthusiasm, but watching the children grow over the years.” Other major supporters include Senator Owen H. Johnson, Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. and the LI Northshore Alumnae Association of Delta Gamma Fraternity, who also attended.
Created in 1953, Camp Helen Keller is a six week free day camp for blind or visually impaired children, ages 4 to 15, and is located at Farmingdale State College - a coeducational, public college with more than 6,400 students pursuing degrees in one of 30 programs.
2008 Campers:
Freshmen: Jolene Castro, Hannah LoRusso, Jeraine Nieves, Nicholas Reid, Matthew Lichtenstein, Amy Estrada
Sophomores: Alexandria Bartkus, Jason Collazo, Najee Glover, Joe Gonzales, Christian Guardino, Faizan Jamil, Daniel Lizama, Ryan Mastrelli, Brooke McGinn, Dominick Sottile
Juniors: Anthony Accardo, Julianne Baker, Binyamin Brun-Kestler, Andy Castro, Michael Gilroy, Andrew Holtzman, Skylar McGarrity, Matt McGrath, Grant Neville, Tommy Ryan, Christopher Tancora
Seniors: Samantha Ambrico, Amanda Baker, Mechael Brun-Kestler, Alex Calderon, Joe DeJesus, Meredith Dwyer, Meghan Fink, John Gilroy, Chelsea Marks, Nick Muesch, Josh Rodriguez, Yaneth Scandoval, Jackie Smith, Matt Vinciguerra, Michael Ziminski
HKSB Children’s Learning Center holds 2008 graduation ceremony
With hugs and tears and joy all around, 15 children graduated this June from Helen Keller Services for the Blind’s Children’s Learning Center.
Guest Speaker Matthew Sapolin, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, congratulated the children on their success and that this was only the beginning. Musical performances by the graduates were led by music teacher and local jazz musician Michel Gentile.
The 2008 Graduates included: Armani Baker, Aaliyah Bennett, Leila Coleman, Antoine Gray, Elizabeth Ibyanobor, Mike Israel, Diana Martinez, Chelsea Monderson, Stephan Morales, Mia O’Donoghe, Danial Oliynyk, Quadasia Parham, Rory Parmar and Natalia Pirog.
Lots of photos from the Children’s Learning Center graduation
HKSB Garden City League holds its annual meeting
With more than 30 members in attendance, the Garden City League for Helen Keller Services for the Blind (HKSB) held its annual meeting in June at the Orchid Restaurant in Garden City.
At the event, co-presidents Irma Annunziato and Joy Losgar presented HKSB executive director John Lynch with a check for $5,000. The funds raised will be used towards camp sponsorships at Camp Helen Keller—a six-week day camp for blind or visually impaired children ages 4 to 15 that is located on the campus of Farmingdale State College.
Photos from the Garden City League annual meeting
HKSB holds 18th annual Golf Classic
More than 124 men and women attended Helen Keller Services for the Blind’s 18th Annual Golf Classic in June. The golf outing, which raised over $90,000, was held at the Garden City Country Club with a program that included a cocktail hour, buffet, and awards presentation for low gross, low net, long drive and closest to the pin.
HKSB Garden City League holds its Spring fundraiser
On Thursday, April 17, the Helen Keller Services for the Blind’s Garden City League held its Spring fundraiser at the Garden City Community Church.
The “Dessert, Card & Games Party,” as it was billed, attracted more than 90 ladies from Garden City to play bridge and raise funds for Camp Helen Keller. Camp Helen Keller is a free summer day camp for children, ages 4 to 15, who are blind or visually impaired. It is open to children from Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
The event was organized by past president Ann Wassmer, co-presidents Joy Losgar and Irma Annunziato and Aurora Vinciguerra.
The next bridge party is scheduled for the Fall. For information about the fundraiser or about joining the Garden City League, please call Joy Losgar at 516-437-6326.
Photos from the Garden City League fundraiser
HKSB holds its 31st Annual Wills Luncheon
With a Proclamation reading by none other than Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz himself, Helen Keller Services for the Blind celebrated its 31st Annual Wills Luncheon on April 8. With over 150 in attendance, the event took place at Stage 6 at Steiner Studios, located in the rejuvenated Brooklyn Navy Yard.
During his keynote speech, Borough President Markowitz congratulated this year’s honorees, Brooklyn Congressman Edolphus Towns and Con Ed Chairman & CEO Kevin Burke on their “distinguished work and the efforts to improve the quality of life for all, particularly those in need.”
Currently serving his 13th term, Congressman Towns’ legislative work in education, telecommunications, healthcare, financial services and the environment has earned him numerous awards. Mr. John Lynch, executive director of HKSB, during his presentation of Mr. Town’s award, said that the congressman holds a special place in the agency’s heart as Mr. Towns started out, many years ago, as a mobility instructor for HKSB.
Kevin Burke has worked at Con Edison since 1973 and has held senior positions in system planning, engineering, law, nuclear power, construction and corporate planning. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Mr. Burke managed the company’s massive power restoration work in lower Manhattan.
The Louis C. Wills Award honors the Late Mr. Wills, who was president of the agency when it was known as the Industrial Home for the Blind and served on the Board of Trustees for over 40 years. A community activist, Mr. Wills was an attorney by trade who practiced law until his death in 1975 at the age of 91. HKSB honors the legacy that Mr. Wills left behind by paying tribute to individuals who have a demonstrated record of outstanding commitment to social service, cultural and civic groups.
Photos from the Wills Luncheon
Other News
Helen Keller Services for the Blind mourns the death of Edwin J. Vetog
Edwin Joseph Vetog, a past president of Helen Keller Services for the Blind and dedicated member of the Board of Trustees, passed away on April 18th.
Mr. Vetog was a proud veteran who served as Captain in the Army Corps of Engineers 1942 to 1946. He was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal, American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, with 4 battle stars, and Victory Medal, World War II.
He graduated from City College of New York with a B.A. and an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business.
Mr. Vetog is survived by his wife Elizabeth, two children and six grandchildren.
Helen Keller Services for the Blind mourns the death of Dr. Cyril J. Jones
Dr. Jones, a dedicated member of the Board of Trustees since 1970, passed away April 6.
Dr. Jones will be remembered for his significant contributions to the agency and particularly his efforts for those in need. He was a graduate of Harvard Medical School in 1944.
Dr. Jones is survived by his wife Rose, three children and three grandchildren.
2007 Sound & Light Gala
With over 300 people in attendance, Helen Keller Services for the Blind held its 31st Anniversary Sound & Light Gala on September 27th, 2007 at Cipriani’s 42nd Street to honor two men for their significant and longtime commitment to the people the organization serves—Jim McCann, CEO and Founder of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, and philanthropist Louis Anzalone.
HKSB in the Media
- 2009
- “Celebrating Louis Braille’s Birthday” (pdf document) Star Newspapers, February 9, 2009
- “BPA Demonstrates Sound Business Vision in Hiring Visually Impaired” TMCnet, January 20, 2009
- 2008
- “Helen Keller Services for the Blind Sends Pre-Schoolers Into a Bright Future” New York Daily News, July 1, 2008
- “Golf Outing Raises More than $90K” Garden City Life, June 26, 2008
- “Comptroller Calls for Currency to Accommodate Those with Vision Problems” Staten Island Advance, June 2, 2008
- “Questions, Answers About the Legally Blind” Newsday, March 18, 2008
- “Paterson Will Call for Bipartisanship in Speech” Newsday, March 17, 2008 (with quote from Amanda Baker interviewed at HKSB)
- “Yes, Paterson’s ‘Legally Blind,’ But What Does That Mean?” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 14, 2008
- “Paterson, Ready To Take Center Stage, Is No Stranger to Brooklyn. Brooklyn-Born Pol Has Long Affiliation With Helen Keller Services for the Blind Here” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 11, 2008
- “Lions Share Pride with Handicapped Children” Brooklyn Courier-Life, February 15, 2008
- 2007
- “Edwards Elected Chairman of Helen Keller Services for The Blind” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, December 7, 2007
- “Spreading it Around: Some Tips for Charitable Giving for the Donor and the Non-Profit Recipient,” Brooklyn Daily Eagle, October 15, 2007
- “Touching & Touched by Fine Art: Brooklyn Museum Tours for the Blind,” New York Daily News, October 9, 2007
- “Helen Keller Services for the Blind’s Golf Classic Raises Over $100,000,” Garden City Life, September 20, 2007
- “Helen Keller Graduates 19th Pre-K Class,” Able, August 2007
- “HKSB Holds Annual Meeting,” Garden City News, July 6, 2007
- “Education: A Proud Day For Blind Preschoolers,” New York Daily News, June 26, 2007
- “Garden City League Holds Seminannual Spring Fundraiser,” Garden City Life, May 17, 2007
- “Studies Show Even Mild Hearing Loss Can Have Major Effects On Children,” New York-NBC, March 26, 2007
- 2006
- “Community Champions: Helen Keller Services for the Blind: Continuing the Good Works of a True American Heroine,” Newsday, November 05, 2006
- “Two Honored At Sound & Light Gala,” Able, November 2006
- “Kids’ Touch Of Class: Helen Keller Preschool is Feast for Senses,” New York Daily News, September 19, 2006
- “Republic Air Plays Host To Camp Helen Keller,” Farmingdale Observer, July 28, 2006
- “Graduation: Helen Keller School for the Blind,” Caribbean Life, July 18, 2006
- “Little Graduates, With Some Big Tests Yet to Come,” The New York Times, June 22, 2006
HKSB News Releases
- 2008
- “CVS Awards Helen Keller Services for the Blind with Grant $10,000,” January 3, 2008
- 2007
- “Edwards Elected Chairman of Helen Keller Services for the Blind,” December 3, 2007
- “Helen Keller Holds 31st Annual Gala,” October 2007
- “Penny Harvest Honors Local Non-profits,” June, 2007
- “Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Renovated Braille Center,” March 1, 2007
- 2006
- “Helen Keller Holds 30th Annual Gala,” October, 2006
- “Republic Air Plays Host to Camp Helen Keller,” July 11, 2006
- “Seniors Divulge Family Secrets: Senior Center Shares Recipes in New Cookbook,” May 4, 2006
