The Rite Aid Foundation has announced a $5,000 grant to the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (VABVI), which has four offices across Vermont and is the only private agency to offer free training, services and support to visually impaired Vermonters. The funding will provide scholarships to the Intensive Residential Life Experiences Camp, an annual opportunity to engage with and learn from children facing similar visual impairments.
The Rite Aid Foundation previously awarded $5,000 to VABVI in 2010, 2012 and again in 2013.
"The Intensive Residential Life Experiences Camp is three-fold opportunity for campers to improve their health and wellness, learn new skills and build self-confidence – all goals that The Rite Aid Foundation sets out to encourage and nurture," said Gayle Rife, Manager of The Rite Aid Foundation. "We hope that even more visually challenged Vermont children will get a chance to blossom because of this wonderful program."
Using a comprehensive immersion period of intensive hands-on activities, workshops and field trips, the annual camp also allows children to hone their social skills and break down barriers to their eventual independence. The Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired has been helping Vermonters achieve independence in a visual world since 1926.
"We are grateful for the continued support from The Rite Aid Foundation," said Ayeshah Raftery, Director of Development and Public Education. "Thanks to their grant, campers will be able to benefit from this shared resource regardless of their economic situation or ability to pay. The resulting diversity benefits all of our campers and helps them get a more complete picture of the world in which they live."
Rite Aid operates approximately 37 stores across Vermont.
The Rite Aid Foundation, founded in July 2001, is a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to helping children’s health and well-being. Since its inception, The Rite Aid Foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $17 million to more than 1,300 organizations nationwide. For more information on The Rite Aid Foundation, visitwww.riteaid.com.
Rite Aid Corporation is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with nearly 4,600 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia and fiscal 2014 annual revenues of $25.5 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website atwww.riteaid.com.
VABVI was founded in 1926 with the assistance of Helen Keller and the American Foundation for the Blind. We are the only private, non‑profit organization in the state providing comprehensive support services for visually impaired Vermonters of all ages. VABVI offices are located in Brattleboro, Montpelier, Rutland and South Burlington. Call1-800-639-5861or visitwww.vabvi.orgfor more information. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/vabvi.org!