Chittenden Bank Pledges $125,000 to the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

The Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (VABVI) is a non-profit organization founded in 1926 with the assistance of Helen Keller and remains to this day the only private agency in the state to offer free support, education and rehabilitation services to all blind and visually impaired residents. VABVI s mission is to enable Vermonters with vision problems, whether blindness or impairment, to achieve and maintain independence. From its four branches located in Brattleboro, Montpelier, Rutland and the main office in Burlington (soon to be South Burlington), VABVI serves residents in all of the state s 14 counties.
For many years, Chittenden has provided support to the VABVI and continues this effort with a 5-year pledge of $125,000 to help fund the new VABVI Client Service Center. Recently, the bank delivered to VABVI the first $25,000 installment. The Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides a much needed service to individuals and families throughout Vermont. We are pleased to be able to provide the necessary funding to ensure individuals in need of their services will receive it in a new facility for many years to come said Michael Seaver, Chittenden Bank President.
VABVI is honored and grateful to be the recipient of this very generous gift from the Chittenden Bank towards our new Client Service Center benefiting blind and visual impaired Vermonters. This donation has helped us achieve our phase I goal in our capital campaign stated Executive Director, Steven Pouliot.
About Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Approximately 10,500 Vermont residents today live with the challenge of blindness or visual impairment; however, available population and health statistics indicate that as Vermont s population ages over the next 20 years, these numbers will nearly double. Anticipating the accompanying growth in demand for its services, VABVI had a space needs study conducted that determined the agency s head office in Burlington is too small to effectively accommodate this demand. VABVI has therefore undertaken an ambitious capital campaign to fund construction of a new building in South Burlington, adequately sized and equipped to allow it to continue succeeding in its work. VABVI plans to be in the new facility this winter of 2009.
A wonderfully dedicated network of volunteers is VABVI s greatest asset in accomplishing its ongoing mission. Volunteers from across Vermont drive clients to medical appointments, support group meetings and for shopping trips. They also read to clients, provide companionship and perform administrative duties in our offices. By donating their time, volunteers help VABVI make a difference in the lives of Vermonters living with vision loss.
For more information about the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (VABVI), please call 1-800-639-5861 or visit www.vabvi.org. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Vicki Vest, Coordinator of Volunteer Services, at 1-877-350-8839.
About Chittenden Bank
Chittenden Bank, which has proudly served individuals and businesses statewide since 1906 is a division of People's United Bank, a federally-chartered savings bank with $20 billion in assets. People's United Bank provides consumer and commercial banking services through a network of more than 300 branches in Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine and New York. Through additional subsidiaries, People s United Bank provides equipment financing, asset management, brokerage and financial advisory services, and insurance services. For more information please call 800-545-2236 or visit www.chittenden.com.