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The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI)- Goodwill Industries of Greater Rochester, Inc. |
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Make a GiftMonthly GivingJoin our monthly giving program and maximize the impact of your gift! Your monthly gift guarantees ABVI-Goodwill a steady source of income which helps keep our administrative costs low and maximizes your giving potential. It’s easy – sign up to have ABVI-Goodwill withdraw a set amount of money from your bank account or charged to your credit card. You won’t have to write checks or buy stamps. We’ll send you one annual tax receipt to make record-keeping easy. And you can cancel this arrangement at any time. As a monthly donor, you will have the peace of mind that your gift is going to programs and services that empower those who are blind or visually impaired, ensuring a maximum and sustainable impact. As a monthly giver, you will receive:
To join our monthly donors, please contact Shannon Grieve by email, or phone at (585) 697-5711. Tribute GivingThere are many occasions when you want to do something special for a friend or family member. And there are times when you want to honor the memory of a loved one. For birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, holidays, or just because, a tribute gift will commemorate an important occasion while significantly impacting the programs and services offered by ABVI-Goodwill. Tribute givers and their honorees will receive mention in our quarterly newsletter, The Beacon, as well as an honorary newsletter subscription for one year. To make a tribute gift, please visit our Charitable Giving section. ABVI-Goodwill Tribute FundsThe tribute funds that make the greatest impact on the work we do are updated here quarterly. Please consider joining this group of thoughtful people who are committed to improving the lives of those who are blind or visually impaired: Dorothy H. Green Low Vision Fund The Dorothy H. Green Low Vision Fund serves to help enhance excellence in vision rehabilitation by providing private support to programs and activities of ABVI-Goodwill that are not funded by public sources. If you would like to make a donation to this fund, please visit our Charitable Giving section. The Lucille and Kenneth Williams, Marion Slavin and John Odenbach, Sr. Memorial Fund Lucille Odenbach Williams was one of four children. Her sister, Marion Odenbach Slavin, was legally blind. Marion’s eye doctor, Dr. Hobart Lerner, took her under his wing and provided great One of Marion’s passions became working with clay because it was something she could do by feel and touch. In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s she taught pottery to people who were blind or visually impaired at ABVI. Through the support of Lucille and other family, she was able to get transportation to ABVI so she could teach people to work with clay. After the death of Lucille and her husband, Kenneth, the Kenlou Foundation was created to honor and fulfill the family’s philanthropic ideals of inclusion. The Lucille and Kenneth Williams, Marion Slavin and John Odenbach, Sr. Memorial Fund at ABVI-Goodwill gives tribute to this family. Kenneth and Lucille’s children’s philanthropy to ABVI-Goodwill is a way for the family to continue Marion’s work and to empower those in our community who are blind or visually impaired. If you would like to make a donation to this fund, please visit our Charitable Giving section. Hugh Hill was the father of three and the grandfather of six. He was a loving husband to Janet Hill and a great friend to Queisha, his guide dog. Hugh enjoyed Reachout Radio and books on tape. He treasured the time spent with family and friends during the summer at Sodus Point and during the winter in Venice, Florida. Hugh’s career spanned many years in the food service industry. An Executive at Curtice-Burns (which later became Birds Eye Foods), Hugh turned to ABVI-Goodwill for services when his eyesight He received Orientation & Mobility training which helped him travel safely here in Rochester and when traveling in Albany for work. He also had rehabilitation teaching to help label his clothing and other items around the house to keep him independent. Most importantly, Hugh gained self-confidence and committed himself to helping others and giving back to his community. In appreciation for what ABVI-Goodwill helped him accomplish, Hugh became an active spokesman and advocate for the agency. He served as a member of ABVI-Goodwill’s Consumer Advisory Committee and used his own story as an inspiration to others who lost their sight and believed their options were limited or they couldn’t do the things they once enjoyed. Hugh passed away in January of 2008. Our community lost a gentle and generous man who proved that losing your vision doesn’t mean you lose the desire to help others. Giving back by volunteering is something that was part of Hugh Hill and will live on through those that knew him. If you would like to make a donation to this fund, please visit our Charitable Giving section. The Gidget Hopf Leadership and Learning Fund will ensure the ongoing success of ABVI-Goodwill through the development of its most treasured resource – its employees. If you would like to make a donation to this fund, please visit our Charitable Giving section. Ashley was driving on the 490 expressway one day and saw the Braille letters on the ABVI-Goodwill sign from her car. She decided to give ABVI-Goodwill a call to find out what she could do in order to best help her son. Ashley was connected to the Children’s Specialist who provided some direction regarding services for Eli. Eli participated in recreation programs with ABVI-Goodwill as well as received clinical service such as Orientation and Mobility and Rehabilitation Teaching, from ABVI-Goodwill’s Vision Rehabilitation staff. Through ABVI-Goodwill’s children’s program, he attended a music therapy program with other children with visual impairment offered at the Hochstein School. He also learned to ride a horse at the Equicenter, one of ABVI-Goodwill’s partner programs. In addition to Eli’s equine therapy, Ashley bonded with and formed a monthly dinner group with other mothers of children with visual impairment. Eli passed away in March 2009. Eli was a very special little boy to all he met including those at ABVI-Goodwill. A tribute fund has been established for contributions in Eli’s memory. His legacy will continue in ABVI-Goodwill’s Centennial Campus’s children’s areas and provide a place for other children who are blind or visually impaired and their families to find hope for the future. If you would like to make a donation to this fund, please visit our Charitable Giving section.
The Patricia O’Neill Pyle Memorial Fund From a young age Patricia O’Neill Pyle’s greatest love was horses. Born in Roc After earning her degree from Nazareth College, Patti worked as a buyer at various department stores, and a newspaper in Iowa. But while living with her husband in South Carolina Patti became ill with severe pneumonia and passed away at the age of 44. Patti’s two horses needed care, so a close friend took the horses to Maryland to train for the Olympics. When one of her beloved horses retired from competition it was given to a therapy riding program for children with disabilities. Jack O’Neill, Patti’s father, believes that gift would have pleased his daughter greatly. Jack has a long history with the Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired. He was a Reach Out Radio volunteer over twenty years ago. Wanting to continue his support of assistance for people who are blind or visually impaired, and honor his beloved daughter, Jack established the Patricia O’Neill Pyle Memorial Fund in memory of Patti. Patti is greatly missed by her friends and family but her memory lives on through the horses she loved and her tribute fund at ABVI-Goodwill.
The Bill Zimmer Memorial Fund If you would like to make a donation to this fund, please visit our Charitable Giving section. The Anne Yanicky Memorial Fund With her best friend and husband, she raised a beautiful daughter and son. They loved being Nana and Papa to their four grandchildren. He left this world at a young age before seeing them grow up, but Anne kept strong for her family. She lived for and spent every moment possible with them. Most recently she was part of two of her grandchildren’s weddings. Outside of the bride and groom, she was the star of the day! Even as her vision deteriorated, she attended football games at Notre Dame and never missed a game on television. She kept track of the score and had Notre Dame gear on from head to toe! Anne was a lovable person and would light up a room whenever she entered. Her smile and laughter were contagious and everyone loved being around Anne. ABVI helped her tremendously as her sight weakened so that she was able to enjoy her friends and family more, and we are forever appreciative for that. She is missed greatly but we are thankful for the good times and memories we had with Anne. If you would like to make a donation to this fund, please visit our Charitable Giving section.
The Shirley Preston Fund “It’s ironic how a seemingly small decision early in life can lead to a lifetime ambition. While in college I became involved in a sorority whose mission is sight conservation and aid to people who are blind. Later, I joined the local chapter. Our job was to lend a hand at the then Association for the Blind on Monroe Avenue. Back then, our projects included sprucing up the apartments in which people who were blind lived, taking employees shopping, and planning outings. For more than thirty years, I’ve volunteered as a driver, taking people to doctor appointments, meetings, etc. In everything I’ve ever done with ABVI–Goodwill, I’ve always felt appreciated—deriving tremendous satisfaction from knowing that my contribution was valued by both the organization and the people served. Now, with three grown children, giving back to the organization that has given me so much has become more important than ever. That’s why I’ve provided in my will for those organizations like ABVI–Goodwill who’ve given me so much personal satisfaction—in a way that will provide for them and the people they serve in the future. Creating a legacy is truly a gift—a gift of immeasurable value anyone can afford to give.” Shirley Preston Volunteer If you would like to make a donation to this fund, please visit our Charitable Giving section.
The Audrey W. Munn Memorial Fund If you would like to make a donation to this fund, please visit our Charitable Giving section.
The Joseph Cornelius Memorial Fund If you would like to make a donation to this fund, please visit our Charitable Giving section.
The Mary K. Beer Memorial Fund She later married the love of her life, Ralph, and together they had two sons, Michael and James. After raising her sons, Mary Kathryn entered the work force, and became very active in the carpet and tile industry. She became affectionately known in her own home as “Carpet Katie.” She was a woman who was very giving, had many friends, and was loved by all. In her later years, she developed macular degeneration, and her vision slowly deteriorated. A heart attack/stroke combined with the macular degeneration left her totally blind. But being such a strong-willed woman and lover of life she fought and endured her hardships until the Lord took her to a better place where she can see forever. We all love Mary Kathryn and thank her for her unselfishness, kindness, love, and all the things she did for us while she was here. We all miss her very much. And as an old rodeo saying goes, “good ride cowboy, good ride.” If you would like to make a donation to this fund, please visit our Charitable Giving section.
The Claire Ernst Memorial Fund If you would like to make a donation to this fund, please visit our Charitable Giving section. The William Day Memorial Fund He served in WW-2 with the 351st bomb group as a belly gunner on a B-17. Following the war he married Laurel DeFreest on May 18th, 1946. They built their house in West Henrietta, NY next to his parents. They had 3 children: Robert, James and Cynthia. Mr. Day worked for Waldert Optiticians for approximately 30 years. While employed by Walderts as an Optitician, he worked with people from many Rochester area companies, caring for their eyes and protecting them from on-the-job hazards. Mr. Day also visited area nursing homes to help residents adjust their glasses or order new glasses. Mr. Day loved to camp with his family and friends. He was very dedicated to his town and country. For a short time he was a member of the West Henrietta Volunteer Fire Department and was a past President and Life Member of the Ely Fagan American Legion Post. Mr. Day was a dedicated father and worked very hard to care for his family. If you would like to make a donation to this fund, please visit our Charitable Giving section.
If you would like to start your own tribute fund, or a tribute fund in the name of a loved one, please contact Shannon Grieve by email, or (585) 697-5711.
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| © 2008 ABVI-Goodwill. All rights reserved. |
The Dorothy H. Green Low Vision Fund was established in honor of the distinguished career of Dorothy H. Green. For twenty-four years, Dorothy Green served at the helm of Vision Rehabilitation Services, providing innovative programming combined with personal involvement and commitment to people served by ABVI-Goodwill.
medical care and Marion continued to pursue life to the fullest.
deteriorated. 
Throughout her career, Dr. Gidget Hopf has served as a respected leader and role model. She values life-long learning and has supported the employees of ABVI-Goodwill in training, career development, and professional advancement – all to reach their own highest level of excellence.
When Eli was just a few months old his parents, Brian and Ashley, were told Eli was blind. Eli’s blindness was a result of a rare genetic disorder called Osteopetrosis. The diagnosis of Osteopetrosis began a whirlwind of appointments for Eli. However, Eli’s blindness was not immediately addressed by any of the physicians.
hester in 1956, Patti started riding at a very young age. She won blue ribbons in riding competitions across the Northeast and continued her love of riding into adulthood.
Anne Yanicky was a remarkable woman. She brought joy and laughter to many people during her 88 years. She always dressed up, matching purse and shoes, usually wearing purple or red, and never without her bright red nail polish and lipstick color ‘Cherries in the Snow’.
Reflections on a Lifetime of Commitment
Mary Kathryn was born on October 24, 1927 to the proud parents Margaret and Albert Falk. She was raised in Rochester, NY with her brothers Tommy and Terry, and sisters Peggy and Norma. She attended Corpus Christie grammar school and Our Lady of Mercy High School.
William L. Day was born in January 16, 1924 in Rochester, NY. He passed away on February 11, 2007.