Mid-Atlantic Regional Group
Blinded Veterans Association
Richmond Chapter
Chapter officers:
President-Leon Robinson
Vice President-Herb Patterson
Secretary-Michael White
Treasurer-John Walsh
Chaplain-Fred Thompson
(BROS) Blind Rehabilitation Outreach Specialist: Cyndy Iskow
Phone number: (804) 675-6568
VIST Coordinator: Evelyn Heatwole
Phone number: (804-675-5221
Additional Information and Programs (Visor)
BVA Richmond volunteer Office
Hours of operation: 09:00 to 1:00 Monday through Thursday.
Phone number: (804) 675-5000 Ext. 2606.
Office Manager: Rev. Clyde Jackson
Assistant office manager: Robert Adkins
Richmond BVA chapter meetings are held quarterly on the 3rd Friday of the month September, December, March and June.
VA support group meetings are held the 3rd Friday of each month through fall, winter and spring.
Mid-Atlantic Regional Group
Blinded Veterans Association
Richmond Chapter Meeting Minutes
We met at McGuire Medical Center at Noon. We had twelve people in attendance, 7 members, 3 spouses’, and two staff.
Meeting was opened by the President, Herb Patterson with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a prayer given by Greg Bennett. Every one was asked to introduce themselves.
Herb asked Greg Bennett if he would serve as the Chapter Chaplin and then appointed him as such.
A discussion was then held concerning the up coming Regional Meeting to take place on October 22nd at the MCVA. Herb noted that Clyde, Chris and he had obtained several door prizes that were donated. We had also received several gift cards at food stores that would be used to buy food for Friday night’s welcome room. Clyde noted that we would have volunteers to help our guests to the meeting room and to help us at the meeting. It seemed that everything was coming together.
Herb noted that he would be speaking to the Chester Lions Club on October 11 and would be talking about the BVA and its mission and about our local Chapter and the Vision Program at the Hospital.
Diane reported on her father, John Walsh, BVA Member, who was being treated and in the hospital there at McGuire’s.
Clyde Jackson and Robert Adkins reported on the National Conference which they attended in Los Vegas. Clyde reported on the various resolutions and proposed changes to the By Laws and other business of the Association. It was also noted that Dr. Clyde Jackson was appointed to be the Chaplin of the National BVA.
The drawing for the fifty-fifty went to Clyde Jackson and he donated his winnings to the Chapter.
The meeting was then turned over to Rosemary Duda, Chief of the VISOR Program. She talked about where the Program and Clinic was and what was going on. She noted that she was still having meetings with the Hospital Administration about getting the Hoptel up and going. They were trying to come up with a workable plan to have the four beds needed in a location that could be monitored by a nursing staff during the nights. We also talked about the special classes that were being offered and the lack of interest. It seems that the mailing did not get out to everyone and it was noted that these classes would be rescheduled and notices mailed out again. It was also noted again that there was a need to make more of an effort to inform members and patients in the VISOR program about special events and recreational activities that might be of interest to them.
Sandy Price, therapist from the VISOR, came in to give us a demonstration of the Penfriend. This is a device that allows you to identify items using the “Pen” device. It is similar to the bar code reader but does not use a bar code to identify the item.
The meeting was then closed.
Herb Patterson
Chapter President
End of Document