The FSG team at Division 70 in Chicago recently had the opportunity to partner with GE in the Spectrios lighting upgrade. The generosity of the team was evident to all who partcipated and was recently acknowledged in an internal press release. Special thanks to the entire Chicago team for their willingness to contribute to and better the lives of others. Special thanks also goes to Pete Sampson and John Pishkur for sharing this great story.
GE Lighting Collaboration ‘Lights Up’ Space for the Visually Impaired
People receiving services at a Chicago-area low vision institute nominated by Foundation members will benefit from a unique ‘re-lamping’ effort.
October 17, 2013 – Thanks to a Foundation Fighting Blindness collaboration with GE Lighting, people accessing services at the Spectrios Institute for Low Vision in Wheaton, Illinois, now have significant lighting improvements at their disposal. A “re-lamping” effort, courtesy of GE Lighting, replaced much of the institute’s existing lighting with energy-efficient products and fixtures throughout the facility’s training, exam and counseling rooms, among other areas.
The re-lamping was an added bonus for the winner of the GE Lighting VisionWalk Challenge, a new contest carried out in five cities during the Foundation’s spring 2013 VisionWalk season. Teams signed up for five designated walks were challenged to raise at least $500 during a two-week period to spur early fundraising. The incentive: GE Lighting would generously distribute $25,000 among the top 10 fundraising teams for each walk, giving the dedicated walkers a boost toward their team goals.
The contest’s top earner was the Chicagoland VisionWalk. As an additional prize, the walk’s fundraising leaders had the opportunity to nominate a local non-profit organization as a recipient of re-lamping by GE Lighting.
“Spectrios was the undisputed choice of Chicago VisionWalkers to receive the lighting audit and improvements,” says Michele DiVincenzo, the Foundation’s director of events in the Midwest. “Our members value the services they provide and understand that upgraded lighting quality will go a long supporting VisionWalk through this creative challenge, and for going above and beyond to create a more comfortable environment at Spectrios for people with low vision.”
After the facility was audited and then re-lamped, representatives from GE Lighting, FSG, Spectrios and the Foundation Fighting Blindness gathered on October 10, 2013, for a “Light Up” tour to experience the upgrades and improved lighting quality firsthand. GE Lighting donated more than $7,100 in energy-efficient products, and FSG, another partner in the effort, donated $1,000 in installation labor.
“Spectrios is truly doing wonderful things to assist those with low vision, from on-site evaluations to rehabilitation,” says Maryrose Sylvester, GE Lighting President & CEO. “Our lighting donation will create a brighter setting and enhance the environment for patients who seek care and support at Spectrios. We are thrilled to be able to support and impact such a deserving organization in this way.”
The Spectrios Institute is dedicated to helping individuals with low vision lead full and productive lives, providing a comprehensive visual rehabilitation program that includes evaluation, counseling and lessons in daily living skills and the use of technology.
“Thank you FFB, GE Lighting, and FSG for your generous donation to Spectrios,” says Clinical Director Dr.Robert Chun. “The new lighting has made a great difference in the exam rooms and provides a more comfortable environment to work with our patients.”
Adds Spectrios Institute’s Rehabilitation Counselor and Assistive/Adaptive Specialist Leah Gerlach, MS, CRC, “As a person with a vision impairment the new lighting is so much better. It is more even and has less yellow harshness without being blue. Thank you for your generosity.”
The re-lamping included new lighting in the Spectrios Institute’s low vision store.
