Helen Keller Achievement Awards

The American Foundation for the Blind was founded in 1921 to ensure that people who are blind or visually impaired achieve equality of access and opportunity in their lives. Helen Keller joined our crusade in 1924 and was our spokesperson and good-will ambassador for over forty years until her death in 1968.

The Helen Keller Achievement Awards were established by AFB in 1994 to acknowledge her extraordinary efforts and promote the notable achievements of individuals and organizations that have improved the quality of life for all people who are blind or visually impaired.

On October 1, 2008, AFB held its 15th Annual Helen Keller Achievement Awards Dinner Dance at the New York Marriott Marquis. Distinguished award recipients were:

The Helen Keller Achievement Award in Corporate Responsibility

L'Occitane en Provence and its President Reinold Geiger
For providing outstanding customer service by brailling their products.

The Helen Keller Achievement Award in Accessibility

IBM Corporation and its Senior Vice President and Director of Research John E. Kelly III
For their outstanding record of promoting accessibility throughout the company and their commitment to hiring and retaining people with disabilities.

The Helen Keller Personal Achievement Award

Stephen G. Marriott, Executive Vice President, Culture, Marriott International, Inc.
For being an exemplary role model for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Richard M. Kovacevich, Chairman and CEO, Wells Fargo & Company, James R. Fisher, CPA, Managing Member, Fisher Capital Corp., LLC and Donald A. Goldsmith, Partner, Holland and Knight served as dinner co-chairs. J.W. Marriott, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Marriott International, Inc., and Michael Golden, Vice Chairman, The New York Times Company served as an honorary chairs.

Master of Ceremonies:

Rick Boggs

Entertainment:

Michael Squillace
Pianist/Vocalist

Proceeds from this fundraising gala will enable the American Foundation for the Blind to continue and expand its programs and services. Your generous support is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. The non-deductible portion of each dinner ticket is $150.

Levels of Sponsorship:

$50,000 Major Underwriter Table — two ringside tables of ten, and a cover ad in the printed program.

$25,000 Underwriter Table — one ringside table of ten, and a full page in the printed program.

$10,000 Patron Table — a prominent table of ten and a half-page in the printed program.

Individual ticket prices are $1,000, $2,500 and $5,000 each

Corporate honored guests and dinner chairs receive recognition and favorable mention in several outlets. AFB's Communications Group authors a press release and news article which is circulated to influential business, financial, and entertainment publications as well as newspapers across the U.S. Please know that your firm will also be prominently featured in all AFB communication vehicles, including its Annual Report, Newsletters and Web site.

For additional information, contact:

Lorraine Zamora
Vice President for Resource Development
E-mail: lorraine@afb.net
Phone: (212) 502-7620