It has been a wonderful and inspiring day for some of the Sole Hope team. We have the privilege and opportunity to go to Industries for the Blind. We wanted to talk about a possible partnership with them and Sole Hope. For people who are blind or visually impaired in or around Winston-Salem, Asheville, and Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, IFB provides meaningful opportunities for employment, training, and support. They have a long history—beginning in 1936—of making high quality products on-time and on-budget primarily for the US government and military. They also provide optical services to our nation’s veterans.
From the moment I walked into the office of IFB I was captivated. You could tell they were different. They are not just different because of the services they provide, or the fact that over 75% of their staff are legally blind or fully blind...but there was just an overwhelming sense of pride and professionalism that lingered in the building. From the first interactions with a visually impaired Director of First Impressions, to the warm smile and handshake as we walked the manufacturing warehouse, it was all received with great pride. These people were proud to have a job! And they should be!! Many of the men and women there were doing things I don't think I can do with two seeing eyes. As we walked the path through the warehouse lined by raised metal and yellow tape we were able to put a name with a face. A product with a soul. These products for the military commissary and troops were not manufactured in China by children too young to be working. They are made right here in the U.S. by men and women who need jobs!
This woman is blind and deaf! She had the brightest smile and even reached her hand out to shake mine when she knew I was there. She helping assemble staplers and was fantastic at it!
This gentleman above was sewing the X onto the strap of an Army bag.
Above are just some of the clothing items the make for the U.S. Army.
Above was one of the most cheerful men I've ever met. He was putting glue into tiny holes to aid in the assembly of a stapler.
Above a few gentlemen were sewing some of the final touches onto a poncho for the military. These poncho liners will snap into a poncho and be used for warmth and even occasionally like a sleeping bag.
This woman had her aid dog Raven sitting by her feet as she packaged dog treats into packets of six nice and neatly. Our guide joked that while Raven is relaxing his owner is hard at work and when he is working she is relaxing.
This part just blew me away.
These pattern pieces have just come out of a cutting machine that cut a certain number precisely. Why this amazed me I'm not sure. Maybe it is because I've spent hours cutting out patterns and just seeing the magnitude of work that this machine and those wonderful people can do...I was in AWE!
This was one of my favorite parts of the tour because it just cracked me up! These two men who can't see are assembling kaleidoscopes. Ironic, right?! The funny part was the man pictured above leaned back and in a joking manner asked our guide Randy how these things work. When Randy told him you look through the tiny hole and see colors and shapes the gentlemen said, "Oh. I've never tried one of these." His dry humor was refreshing and had us all laughing.
It is days like today that seem to come in perfect rhythm with how I am feeling, that I am inspired beyond words. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to witness the pride and joy that comes with having a job at IFB. It was these men and women who cannot see opened up my eyes to what Sole Hope can be. There is so much out there do discourage us and many other worthy causes from pursuing what has been put on their heart. But on days like today I remember that we can beat the odds and challenge the public to think outside the box
just like Industries for the Blind has done.
Never say never. And never say it can't be done.
