Jim Walker and Capt. Ian McIntyre cut Birthday Cake at Servmart

Servmart celebrated its fourth anniverary onJuly 19 with a visit from Captain Ian C.McIntyre, new commander at Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base, and with vendor displaysand refreshments. Jim Walker is manager of theoffice supply store that has grown in sales andservices. Sales are $150,000 ahead of last year’s.Having an office supply store on the base offerspersonnel stationed there an efficient and effec-tive way to shop for supplies.

Servmart has fourth anniversary

Budget cutbacks at both the state and federallevels impacted sales of products manufacturedat the Lighthouse for the Blind of FortWorth dur-ing the third quarter, according to Robert W.Mosteller, Lighthouse president. Year to date sales were $8,368,608 with un-even sales in April, May and June. An increasein raw material prices, particularly paper sup-plies where industry increases were 15 percent,also affected the Lighthouse bottom line. But on a more positive note, employees haveworked to improve delivery time on orders dur-ing the year. Industry standards require a 15 daydelivery and the Lighthouse has narrowed thebox delivery time to 3 -5 days. Despite the turndown in orders, no employ-ees have been laid off and hours and scheduleshave been adjusted to keep all employees work-ing. An inspection of the facility by an OSHCONsafety specialist, as a part of the safety program,found only minor problems that were correctedimmediately. In Rehabilitation Programs, the numbers wereexcellent for the third quarter, Mosteller re-ported. Kent Bowers and Michelle Gatton, mo-bility instructors, are compiling an average of80 hours of instruction a month for the year. TheLighthouse is working with the Division forBlind Services to increase the number of refer-rals to programs. DBS now is fully staffed withfour counselors.

Todd Icard, in Community Services, completedhis information packets for the Corpus Christiarea and has asked DBS to assign other Texasoffices to continue similar work. DBS also has filled a position to work witholder people who are visually impaired. GayleBruns of the Seniors with Vision Loss program,will coordinate services in the community withthis new DBS person. She has worked with 250seniors in Tarrant and neighboring counties tobring her specialized services and available re-sources to this growing segment of the popula-tion. “Our expansion plans continue to move for-ward,” said Mosteller. “Working with LarryCamp, we have identified some promisingprojects. In meetings with GSA personnel, weare obtaining data on 164 kitchen items we cansource, inventory and distribute. “Other projects include FEMA cots, a special-ized container for the Air Force and a documentimaging service.” Mosteller said that sales usually increase to-ward the end of the fourth quarter as the federalfiscal year ends. “Through the dedicated efforts of the Light-house staff and the capable work of our employ-ees, we are prepared to meet our customer’s re-quirements,” he said.

Sales slower, delivery faster in third quarter of fiscal year

Board of DirectorsMichele Hahnfeld, chairman, Lee Johnson, Steve Peglar,vice chairmen, Kathleen Knight, treasurer, Blake Hailey,secretary, Stephen Wilson, member at large, Jim Haddock,past chairman. B.J. Cox, James Creel, Adam Gellert,Tammy Gomez, Jack Hunnicutt, Marilyn Jones, DeniseKahn, Ruth Ann Kearley, Judy Kennedy, Bill Lamkin,C.T. Scott, Jr., Mike Smith, Jim Stepp, Ike Thompson,Frances Wohler

Tarrant County Association for the Blind ForesightLighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth912 West BroadwayFort Worth, TX 76104

StaffRobert W. Mosteller, president, vice presidents: WaynePound, development and community services, TommyJaynes, manufacturing, Charlie Wood, sales and marketing.Jim Walker, Servmart manager, Gayle Bruns, rehabilitationspecialist, Kent Bowers, Michelle Gatton, orientation andmobility instructors, Todd Icard, community services spe-cialist Deanna Conner, controller, Ric Tucker, Webmaster/TS, Sally House, public relations consultant

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

P.A.I.DFort Worth, TXPermit No. 1673

General Contributions - May 17 - Aug.

Mr. and Mrs. James A. ByarsMs. Fran ChilesMs. E. Lavelle White

Contributions to Ken W. Davis Foundation/Matching Gift Grant

Ken W. Davis/Matching Gifts (cont.)

Honorarium Contributions

In honor of Carol G. RhodesPatricia and Bill Massad

In honor of Willie Fay LewisBecky and Wayne Pound

In honor of Doug HaferSusie and Bob Mosteller

In honor of Martin L. FinklerDr. Johnny and Mrs. Janice Gilliland

In honor of Gary GipsonMr. and Mrs. W. W. Pound

In honor of Bill Stapleton Becky and Wayne Pound

14, 2006Anonymous

Fran Chiles/Chiles Survivors TrustB.J. CoxW. P. Cranz, Jr.Jim HaddockMichele HahnfeldBlake HaileyDeanna and Rod HaileyLee JohnsonMarilyn JonesRuth Ann KearleyJudy KennedyBill LamkinPatricia and Bill MassadBill McLeRoy

Michael SmithStephen WilsonFrances Wohler

Susie and Bob MostellerStephen PeglarBecky and Wayne PoundJ. T. Rogers

Sept

embe

r 20

06

Friends and employees of the Lighthouse forthe Blind of Fort Worth set a new record for giv-ing in the past months. With a $10,000 chal-lenge grant from the Ken W. Davis Foundationas the prize to win, contributors not only metthe $10,000 challenge, but exceeded it by$10,000! In a letter to Board Directors, EndowmentTrustees and Development Advisory CounilMembers, Wayne Pound, vice president/commu-nity services and development, wrote: “I am so pleased to able to share with you thewonderful response to our Endowment Chal-lenge Grant from the Ken W. Davis Foundation.With ever increasing gas prices, the blisteringTexas heat and higher electricity costs, here issome good news. We have met our original goalof $10,000 dollar-for-dollar match from theDavis Foundation. Not only have we met it, wehave exceeded it by more than $10,000.” Pound pointed out that with grants from theDavis Foundation, and a broad range of contri-butions from Board members, EndowmentTrustees, Advisory Council members and staff,the Endowment Trust will grow by more than$30,000. Pound told Alan K. Davis, vice president/pro-gram officer, that the Endowment income pro-vides 30 percent of the revenue to support pro-grams of services to the blind community thatthe Lighthouse serves. The long range goal is to increase the Endow-ment Trust to $20 million by 2015. It currentlystands at $6 million and provides almost$100,000 for Lighthouse services and opera-tions. annually. “We are very grateful to the Ken W. DavisFoundation for initiating the challenge grant,”said Pound. “It enabled us to attract new donorsand provided impetus to other donors to havetheir contributions matched.”

Davis Foundation goal exceeded

Plans are being formulated to create a PlannedGiving Society with the Lighthouse for the Blindof Fort Worth. It was a suggestion by Development AdvisoryCouncil members who review current giving atthe Lighthouse and make suggestions for newways to enhance the Endowment Trust. Although it is early in the planning stage, ac-cording to Wayne Pound, vice president/com-munity services and development, the name ofthe plan would be in honor of Lighthousefounder Willie Fay Lewis. “We are considering names such as the LewisFund,” said Pound. “We would want somethingto honor Mrs. Lewis and that would be a namethat’s easy to remember.” Pound said that it is a simple matter to remem-ber the Lighthouse with a bequest in a will orother estate plan. Those bequests can help per-petuate the important work of the Lighthouse,he said.

Planned Giving may be in future

Safety is a concern in any manufacturing areaor work site, but when most of the employeeshave visual disabilities, it becomes a major con-cern The Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worthhas a comprehensive, multi-layered safety pro-gram that is way beyond minimal requirements,according to Tommy Jaynes, vice president/manufacturing. ‘We have everything everyoneelse has.” Pearline Watson, vocational work adjustmentcoordinator, routinely makes a Monday inspec-tion of the Lighthouse facility to determine ifthere are any potential safety violations. The Safety Committee, which consists of de-partment supervisors and employee representa-tives from each department, meet each monthto review policies. Every 12 months a safety specialist fromOSHCOn tours and inspects the Lighthouse topoint out any safety concerns that Lighthouseemployees might have overlooked. There is a comprehensive training programfor each employee and twice a year - if the pe-riod has been accident free - there is a pizzalunch. A safety engineer from Texas Mutual also vis-its the plant at least once a year to look for safetyhazards. The recent inspection was so com-mendable, the Lighthouse received a reductionin premiums. There are fire drills each month as well as tor-nado drills. And so effective is the latter, thatduring the 1996 tornado that roared through FortWorth the supervisor on duty that evening knewimmediately to get employees into the men’srest room which is inside supported construc-tion. In the Safety Training Class, Pearline Watsonshows employees what to do when the fire alarmsounds; to know where alternate exits are if theprimary exit is blocked; and where to go safelyoutside the building.

In case of fire, employees know how to setoff the fire alarm. They are also taught to reportto supervisors any equipment with frayed ordamaged cords.

They are taught that heat, smoke and toxic vaporsare dangerous and that the Lighthouse is a smoke-free environment. There is also lockout/tagout training that teachesemployees to place a lock on energy isolating de-vices so equipment cannot be turned on while it isbeing serviced or maintained. A tagout is placing atag on an energy isolating device to warn others thatsomeone is working on the equipment and it shouldnot be started. They are taught to inspect equipmentbefore using it and report any missing or damagedguards. There are proper procedures for lifting and employ-ees are taught to use caution when reaching over-head or carrying oddly shaped objects. Eye safety is also an important part of the trainingcourse. Employees know to wear safety glasses andprotect their eyes from airborne particles and sharpobjects. Hearing is important, too and employeesmay be required to wear protective earplugs.

Lighthouse has excellentsafety program in place

Employees are taught to identify potential hazards,to prevent falls and to keep aisles, hallways passage-ways and doorways unobstructed. One employeesuggestion that was aligned with this was having win-dows installed on doors leading to paper and boxareas. Employees know to keep trash off floors andproperly stack empty pallets. Ergonomics is also addressed and employees areurged not to do repetitive motions when possible.They are urged to take stretch breaks and to spreadrepetitive tasks throughout the day, The Lighthouse safety awareness program is an on-going process of awareness, according to Jaynes, withcontinuing sensitivity to any and all safety concerns. An incentive to involve Lighthouse employees insafety is a monetary award given to hourly workerswho submit the best safety suggestions. “It is imperative that we furnish a safe work envi-ronment. It is my responsibility to ensure that wecomply with all State and Federal safety laws andmaintain the records that are required,” said Jaynes.“All safety procedures and programs are written andcompiled by me to ensure, not only compliance, butto ensure to the very best of our ability, the safety ofour employees. I maintain, review, train and retrainwith the help of our Safety Coordinator.”

A gift to the Lighthouse for the Blind of FortWorth is a meaningful way to help the agencyprovide programs, services and employmentopportunities to the blind and visually impairedin the community. Through programs of rehabilitation andthrough gainful employment, those with visualimpairments can become productive citizens intheir communities. A gift may serve as an honorarium or memo-rial, and may be designated for the EndowmentTrust or to the General Fund. Appreciated stock, real estate, cash gifts orbequests from an estate are acceptable and mayqualify for a tax deduction. Relevant informa-tion is available from a tax adviser, accountantor attorney. Information also is available from LighthouseVice President Wayne Pound at 817-332-3341,by fax to 817-332-3456 or by E-mail atwpound@lighthousefw.org.

An indication of the effectiveness of the SafetyProgram is that the Lighthouse recently receiveda dividend of $20,303 from Texas National In-surance Coimpany. This dividend was 30 per-cent of the annual Workewrs Compensation In-surance premium.

Tommy Jaynes and PearlineWatson

Gifts to the Lighthouse

Michele Hahnfeld

Foresight is a quarterly publication of The Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth 912 West Broadway Fort Worth, TX 76104 817/332-3341 817/332-3456 fax wwwlighthousefw.org. Robert W. Mosteller, president Michele Hahnfeld, chairman

Michele Hahnfeld, one of Fort Worth’s mostactive volunteers who participates in many fac-ets of community life, is serving as chairman ofthe board of directors of the Lighthouse for theBlind of Fort Worth.She assumed office at theAnnual Meeting in February. Michele joined the board in 1999 at the invi-tation of the late Terry Boyd, a former boardchairman, and she has held many posts in hereight years with the Lighthouse, including pub-lic relations chairman, secretary and vice chair-man She also participated in the 2004 study withNonprofit Service Center of Tarrant County asthe volunteer group studied Lighthouse mission,programs and outlook. Michele is a principle with the Wortham Com-pany, specialists in insurance. She is a graduateof Texas Christian University, is a member ofthe Junior League of Fort Worth and serves onseveral boards of health related agencies. When the Moos Brothers made their debut atthe Fort Worth Stock Show several years ago,Michele joined Lynn Cranz and Lezlie Davis,Fort Worth boosters and volunteers, who gamelydonned colorful cow outfits to welcome visitorsto the Stock Show. She and her husband. Eric, who is with theleading architectural firm, Hahnfeld HofferStanford, have made a strong commitment toseveral boards and organizations in Fort Worth.

Chairman involved in many activities

Three visually impaired teenagers spent sev-eral weeks at the Lighthouse for the Blind ofFort Worth this summer in an innovative pro-gram. Summer Transition, now in its 19th year,is designed to teach its participants about theworld of work so they may acquire skills thatwill enable them to gain employment later. Wayne Pound, vice president/community ser-vices and development, oversaw the programwith the assistance of Pearline Watson and otherstaff members. Attending the session this summer were twowho have participated before: Cecilia Davila andTiffany Moore, and also newcomer Isaiah Tho-mas who was evacuated from New Orleans af-ter Hurricane Katrina. The teenagers had evaluations at the start ofthe program and were counseled at the close.They gained good working habits and proce-dures as they learned more about their strongpoints and areas that need improvement. “This is an important program for these visu-ally impaired teens,” said Pound. “It helps themprepare for their future.”

Three teens were in Summer Transition

Boxes made by blind and sight impaired em-ployees of the Lighthouse for the Blind of FortWorth are used to ship products throughout theworld. Are they now headed for outer space? The Federal Transportation Managementagency at the Kennedy Space Center in Floridarecently purchased 100 foam lined containersin a small size from the Lighthouse. The Lighthouse containers, which vary greatlyin size, are used to ship items that need the pro-tection the foam provides. Others who havefound the containers invaluable for importantshipments include the Smithsonian in Washing-ton and New York’s Museum of Modern Art.MOMA has been a repeat customer and uses thecontainers to ship books. Box manufacturing has been a mainstay ofLighthouse manufacturing since 1982 and em-ployees have compiled an enviable record foron time delivery and quality.

NASA orders Lighthouse boxes

Officers, staff members and employees of theLighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth havebenefited over the years from the talents and ex-perience of a group of volunteers. They are retired executives with the NonprofitService Center who work with agencies to helpthem develop new programs or guide them inallowing programs in place to work more effi-ciently. Wayne Maddox, retired from Lockheed Mar-tin Logistics department, is a volunteer consult-ant who has helped direct the Lighthouse on sev-eral projects. When General Services Administrationchanged their ordering and shipping proceduresfor boxes, the Lighthouse had to streamline theiroperations. Maddox stepped in and helped Light-house personnel find ways to do faster turn-around times. Previously, when a shutdown of computer pa-per manufacturing was threatened, a team ofESC executives offered solutions. The organization formerly known as Execu-tive Service Corps, Nonprofit Service Center,recruits top retired executives to work with agen-cies and organizations that need advice in spe-cific areas of the volunteers’ expertise. The Fort Worth Lighthouse has used the or-ganization for more than six years with aboutnine projects. The executives that helped withbox production also assisted with planning whenthe two warehouse additions were constructedand stocked. Maddox also found a way to use some of thescrap foam left from box manufacturing.Through connections with other Nonprofit Ser-vice personnel, he located a manufacturer ofcommercial fragrances who use a foam box in-sert made from the scrap to protect samples dur-ing shipping. He also worked with the Light-house examining potential compliance with ISO9000, a government criteria for quality control. Another long term study by the Center com-pleted in 2004 was a comprehensive strategiclong range plan.It detailed strengths, weakness,opportunities, financial resources, fiscal oversight,board/staff relations and board involvement,among other area. Maddox, a native of Shreveport, earned a de-gree in Mechanical Engineering from Rice Uni-versity. A long term employee of General Dy-namics and then Lockheed Martin, he retired in1997 and later joined Executive Service Corps. He and his wife have three sons and six grand-children. With golf as one of his favoritepasttimes, he enjoys working at Colonial dur-ing the tournament. His other “hobby” is travel.The latest venture was a trip to Thailand. Of the Lighthouse, Maddox offered an execu-tive style summary: “This is a very professionalorganization and a well run operation.” Said Robert W. Mosteller, Lighthouse presi-dent: “Wayne Maddox and others from the Non-profit Service Center have been a valuable re-source for us. They can evaluate a situation andfind doable and efficient ways make things workto everyone’s advantage.”

Retired executive uses professional experience to assist Lighthouse

Wayne Maddox and Robert W. Mosteller examine foam-lined box at Lighthouse.

Visit the Web page of the Lighthouse for theBlind of Fort Worth and find other Foresightnewsletters, information about the Lighthouseand the products manufactured by employees.Go to www.lighthousefw.org

Extrava-Can-Za Winners

Jose GarciaFrances Scott

Delores Wilson

Reggie Samples Wanda FullerRicky Simpson

Larry McNeil

James ShelbyLaverne “Tessie” Davis

Extrava-Can-Za, a celebration of summer andthe recycling program at the Lighthouse for theBlind of Fort Worth, was held at noon July 3 inthe employee lunchroom. As always, it was a great success. Employeesenjoyed a catered barbecue meal and then playedsix games of bingo. Employees were assignedseats with one staff member at each table. Em-ployees who were able to read cards had tradi-tional bingo cards. Other had cards with raisedsurfaces that enabled them to participate easily. With cash prizes awarded to a few and Texaslotto tickets for all, it was a happy prelude to theJuly 4th holiday. Wayne Pound, vice president/community ser-vices and development, once again served ascaller. Rules were simple: after a win, the playerwas not eligible to play again until the finalgame. In a tie, prize money would be divided. . And the winners were: Jose Garcia, $50 inthe first game. Frances Scott, $50 in the secondgame. Delores Wilson and Reggie Samples, $75in the third and fourth games. And, for the firsttime ever, a four way tie for the $100 prize inthe fifth game. Wanda Fuller, Ricky Simpson,Larry McNeil and James Shelby each took home$25. Lavene “Tessie” Davis won the top prizeof $150 which was “sweetened” with an extra$50 contributed by Pound and Charlie Wood,vice president/sales and marketing. Extrava-Can-Za was begun to encourage andreward the recycling program at the Lighthousethat conserves resources through efforts in alldepartments.

Extrava-Can-Za rewards workers

A new type of pension plan will be availableto employees of the Lighthouse for the Blind ofFort Worth who choose to sign on. After the board of directors voted to terminatethe existing defined pension plan, the personnelcommittee, headed by Steve Peglar, recom-mended a new type of retirement plan. Peglaris with the Whitney Smith Co. Inc., a manage-ment consulting company. The new plan, a 403B for non-profit agencies,is similar to 401K plans with the companymatching an employee contribution. At the Lighthouse, it will be $1 by the Light-house to each $1 given by the employee. Con-tributions will be capped at three percent of theemployee’s salary. “We felt this was an improvement that givesour employees beneficial retirement options,”said Robert W. Mosteller, Lighthouse president.

New pension plan available

Three to attend NIB meeting

David Milburn, Lighthouse Employee of theYear and a lead worker in the copy paper divi-sion, will attend the National Industries for theBlind Annual Meeting in Phoenix in Septem-ber. Also attending will be Robert W. Mosteller,Lighthouse president and Charlie Wood, vicepresident/sales and marketing.

MarkeTips is a publication of General Ser-vices Administration that is distributed six timesa year to 100,000 customers of the United Statesagency. The July/August 2006 issue focused on“The Element of Fire - Managing a Force ofNature.” It told of forest firefighters, their equip-ment and experiences. And soon the magazine will tell the story ofthe Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth andits energy dissipation pad. Originally, a storyabout the pad appeared in an aerial deliverymagazine. The Fort Worth Lighthouse is thesole provider of the pads to the United StatesArmy. The honeycombed kraft paper pad is usedto cushion the landing of supplies or productsfor humanitarian projects or in war zones thatmight be inaccessible except by air. MarkeTips also lists the many products madein the JWOD (Javits-Wagner-O’Day) programin which the Lighthouse participates. JWODprovides opportunities for blind or disabledpeople to manufacture products that are useful,competitively priced and of good quality. Computer paper, pens and other products aremanufactured at the Lighthouse under JWOD. . Products listed in MarkeTips may be orderedby GSA customers.

FW Lighthouse to be featured

State and government employees will learnmore about the Lighthouse for the Blind of FortWorth in the coming weeks. As contributors tothe Combined Federal Campaign, they will beinvited to tour the Lighthouse, meet staff mem-bers who will tell them about their work withthe visually impaired and meet employees. The Lighthouse annually receives some con-tributions from the Combined Federal Cam-paign, but the Lighthouse hopes to obtain moredonations by providing valuable services. To that end - and to inform other visitors -Wayne Pound, vice president community ser-vices and development, has prepared a fact sheetthat will be given to visitors. It is divided in three sections: Serving Peoplein Our Community, Our Past and Present andBlindness: A Fact of Life. Some of the information it contains includes:the Lighthouse each year serves more than 1,300blind people and their families; the IndustrialDivision employs 85 people and produces a va-riety of products; Community Services providesassistance to 900 people; Seniors with VisionLoss helps 250 older individuals; Orientationand Mobility teaches 100 people to travel safely. It also notes the facility has 80,000 square feet;gross sales were $13,600,000 in 2005; Indus-trial revenue is 100 percent product sales plusother facts about the Lighthouse. In Tarrant County there are approximately 7500people who are considered blind.

Tours, fact sheet offer information