WS Chronicle

Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind (IFB) recently passed out its annual honors to employees, volunteers and customers for their exceptional contributions to the organization’s success in providing jobs, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Maudeva Willis was named IFB Direct Labor Employee of the Year.  As IFB’s most senior employee with more than 38 years of service, Willis has worked in almost every department at the Winston-Salem facility.  Born legally blind due to optic nerve damage, she lives independently and says retirement is not in her future.

Stephanie Davis, was born legally blind and both of her parents are blind, was awarded the IFB Career Achiever Award. She is a customer service representative in the IFB Optical Services division, responding to customer inquiries from 27 Veterans Administration locations across the country.

Josh Jolly received the Kathryn W. Garner Volunteer of the Year Award for his dedication to IFB’s Student Enrichment Experience (SEE) summer camps. Jolly, a student at Wilkes Early College High School, was recognized for his exceptional commitment to the SEE program and the student campers.

Dr. Kerry Collins, Laura Viers and Kathy Pfeiffer, who serve as the medical team at the IFB Winston-Salem location, received the IFB Commodore Funderburk Award.  This self-motivated and proficient medical team supports the 360 blind and sighted employees working at the facility.

Richardson

Sharon Richardson received the IFB Delmer Wall Award for outstanding service by a sighted IFB employee.  Richardson, an IFB employee for more than seven years, serves as an executive assistant.  Jim Wilcoxson, services as chief at the Williams Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia, S.C., received the IFB Customer of the Year Award.  More than a decade ago, Wilcoxson contacted Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind to provide eyeglasses for two VA facilities in Columbia and Greenville, S.C.  Inspired by the successful implementation of these two programs, Wilcoxson became a champion for IFB, leading to the steady expansion of the IFB Optical Services division, which now services 27 VA facilities in five states.

IFB is one of the nation’s largest employers of people who are blind or visually impaired, producing a broad portfolio of products, including eyeglasses, mattresses, textiles, office products and business services.