The Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (VABVI) would like to publicly recognize volunteer Gerald “Jerry” Dupont of Burlington, Vermont for his extensive service to our organization and clients.
Jerry has been volunteering with us for nearly 15 years. Recently, at our annual Volunteer Luncheon, we had the honor of presenting him with our President’s Award. The President's Award goes to the volunteer who best exemplifies the spirit of VABVI's mission: to enable Vermonters with vision problems, whether blindness or impairment, to achieve and maintain independence. This award was very well-deserved. As a volunteer both in our development department and as a driver, Jerry gives his time assisting with mailings; supporting staff at fundraising events; and transporting clients to appointments, the grocery store, and our support groups where adult clients meet to discuss their vision loss as well as various coping strategies.
“Everyone here adores Jerry,” agrees Ayeshah Raftery, Director of Development and Public Education. “He’s generous, he’s humble, hardworking… We benefit every single day in some way from his kind support and selflessness. We couldn’t be more grateful for Jerry—and all of our 195 volunteers, for that matter!”
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