Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/1396022
www.FredericksburgParent.NET 7 Pouches' community corner WRITTEN BY LENORA KRUK-MULLANAPHY Helen Keller said, "Blind people are just like seeing people in the dark. The loss of sight does not impair the quali es of mind and heart." Nowhere is that more evident than through the ac ons of Hope Frisch, founder and president of Volunteers for the Blind (VFB). Started in 2006 by Frisch, the organiza on has moved around to diff erent loca ons in the area a few mes un l it made its current home in downtown Fredericksburg. "Because I was helped by volunteers, I wanted to help others," she says. "When I lived in Dale City previously, I met people who said when there are problems, we talk to our neighbors in the community." Frisch, who has a faithful guide dog named Kenny, and her pet dog, Pa y, added that she doesn't like to depend on family for everything. Frisch's experience with the outpouring of community-wide as- sistance on her behalf led her to start VFB. It provides help in a variety of areas, as well as unpaid internships to individuals who are blind and never worked or those who lost their sight and want to resume compe ve employment. Volunteers off er the blind and visually impaired services, such as: • Reading mail, instruc ons on prescrip on medica on bo les, household equipment, appliances and more • Helping to fi ll out job applica ons and other forms • Assis ng with paying bills, wri ng checks and balancing the checkbook • Helping college students with assignments requiring library research • Shopping for groceries, gi s, household appliances, furniture and clothes According to Frisch, whose 70th birthday is November 1, 2021, she hopes to mark the day by hos ng a benefi t concert with a lineup of performers who have at least two things in common: they have a lot of talent and they're blind. From a pianist to a fl u st to a singer, the concert will bring entertainment to the community and dona ons to VFB. Stay tuned for more informa- on on the organiza on's website. Volunteers for the Blind The organiza on is located at 12 Lafaye e Sta on in Fredericksburg. For more informa on about VFB, volunteering, upcoming fundraising events and more, call 540-899-8847 or visit the website at www.volunteersfortheblind.org/home.