Blind Services Receives Point Of Light Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Voluntary Services for the Blind of Fairfield County was selected as the nation’s Daily Point of Light on Friday, March 9.

In 1993, Claudette Tallon and Jim Waddington joined forces and began the Voluntary Services for the Blind of Fairfield County in Stamford. Ms Tallon wanted to help others in memory of her father, who had severe visual impairment most of his life; and Mr Waddington is legally blind.

In 1999, the program provided more than 7,200 hours of direct service to 146 visually impaired clients, and by the end of 2000, they had given more than 30,000 hours of direct service to their clients. There are no paid employees in the program, so virtually all grants and donations go directly to provide services to visually impaired clients.

The Daily Points of Light Award is given by The Points of Light Foundation in partnership with the Volunteer Center National Network, the Knights of Columbus, and the Corporation for National Service. It is designed to honor individuals and organizations who had made a commitment to connect Americans through service to help meet critical needs in their communities and in the nation, especially those focused on the goals for children and youth set by the Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future.

For those interested in other volunteer opportunities, please contact the Volunteer Center of Southwestern Fairfield County at 203-348-7714, or call 800-VOLUNTEER, provided by the Points of Light Foundation in partnership with the Volunteer Center National Network. Daily Points of Light Award nomination forms are available by calling 202-729-8184 or emailing awards@pointsoflight.org.