Visions in Performance Vocal Group Donates $20,000 to St. Louis Society for the Blind & Visually Impaired

Financial Gift Will Support The Society’s Programs for People Who Are Visually Impaired Who Love Music and the Performing Arts

JULY 10, 2012, St. Louis, Missouri…Visions in Performance, a not-for-profit vocal group,  has donated $20,000 to St. Louis Society for the Blind & Visually Impaired to support musical activities and outdoor education for adults who are blind or visually impaired. Visions in Performance made the donation to support the Society’s existing musical activity and performing arts programs for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, including those with Macular Degeneration and other vision impairments.  

Visions in Performance, which is based in the St. Louis suburb of Overland, is an organization of adults who are blind who have given more than 550 vocal performances regionally and nationally since 1998. The original group members began singing together as grade school students in the 1980’s.

The financial gift was offered in memory of Gilbert and Dorothy Fisher, co-founders of Visions in Performance. Mr. Fisher was Director of Vocal Music at Missouri School for the Blind for 43 years. Dorothy Fisher was Mr. Fisher’s mother. Visions in Performance was founded to “provide year-round musical experiences for individuals, regardless of ability, to develop musical skills and to share it with the community.”

In making the donation, Joyce Strother, Betty Riner and Bev Willers, additional co-founders of Visions in Performance, said,  “The Society provides activities similar to what the founding members of Visions in Performance believed in, and we wanted to develop a legacy tribute for our director.” Part of the gift is also in memory of Mr. Harold Lang, who was Ms. Strother’s father; it will be used to enhance the Society’s outdoor and nature education program.

In receiving the donation, Society President David Ekin, ACSW, LCSW, said, “This a significant donation for which we are extremely grateful. Its proceeds will further enrich an important Society program and broaden the program’s outreach. This generous gift will also enhance our range of services that we offer to those who are blind and visually impaired.”

The financial gift from Visions in Performance will be used to enable people with vision impairments to participate in and expand their musical experiences with the performing arts by attending live theatre productions in St. Louis and, also, attending sing-alongs, talent shows and other productions at the Society’s  headquarters. Portions of the donation will help the Society provide transportation, purchase admission to performance venues, and acquire supplies.  

Founded in 1911, the Society for the Blind & Visually Impaired enhances independence, empowers individuals and enriches the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired including children, adults, and their families. Its caring, qualified staff provides specialized vision rehabilitation, adaptive education, assistive technology and support services. The not-for-profit Society serves an increasing number of older adults who are newly visually impaired, blind or deaf-blind due to age-related eye conditions by providing home-based services, specialized agency services and community activities. It also provides support to school-age students at school districts in Illinois and Missouri, and at the Society.

For more information, call 314.968.9000. Media relations contact: Jeff Dunlap at 314.993.6925.

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