Summer 2023
From our Executive Director, Barbara Loh:
Summer is here. Despite our up and down weather and air quality challenges, we hope you have found some moments of rest and relaxation.
On the state funding front, we thankfully have had fewer challenges than in recent years although we are still awaiting news that the state budget is approved and signed by the governor. It has been a relief not to have to go through the amendment process this year. Many thanks to our local legislators who have supported us.
Thanks to all who donated during our end of fiscal year campaign entitled “Campaign to End Loneliness”. Given the US Surgeon General’s recent report on the loneliness epidemic, we need to work together as a community to help solve this social isolation problem that our listeners and so many others face according to the report.
Challenges abound, but it is summer. Take a break and try to find some time to enjoy the simple pleasures this time of year brings. It will fly by before we know it. Fall will inevitably bring more challenges. With your support, we will continue to tackle them to enable our listeners to keep their quality of life and avoid the challenges of loneliness.
- In June, Valley Eye Radio went “on the road” to present an information table at the South Hadley Council on Aging’s Health and Wellness Fair.
Seniors got to hear from Valley Eye Radio volunteers about our unique broadcast service for those who are blind and visually or print impaired. - Valley Eye Radio also got the word out about what we do with a recent presentation to the Easthampton Commission on Disabilities by Valley Eye Radio Board Chairperson Brian Westerlind. We greatly appreciate their invitation to speak and the chance to update them on our mission.
- Thanks to our collaboration with Baystate Health, Valley Eye Radio was able to rebroadcast the audio from more of their informative webinars such as the one by Dr. Robert Martin, neurologist and movement disorders specialist at Baystate Neurology, entitled “What to Know about Parkinson’s Disease” as part of our health block of programs every Wednesday afternoon.
- Do you know of someone who would like to learn about joining our dedicated volunteer reader family? Join us at the Storrs Library, 693 Longmeadow St. in Longmeadow when they hold their Volunteer Fair on July 22nd from 10 – 2 pm.
- Valley Eye Radio was able to present more informative health updates with the Blindness and Glaucoma webinar from our friends at Accessible Pharmacy by: Elena Sturman - President & Chief Executive Officer of The Glaucoma Foundation and Dr. Aakriti Shukla, MD - Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center
- Valley Eye Radio will be hosting a fundraiser on Wednesday, August 23rd at EB's Restaurant at 385 Walnut Street Extension in Agawam as part of EB's Give Back Wednesday program. 10% of the day's sales of food and soft drinks, whether dine-in, take out or delivery will go to Valley Eye Radio.
- Eligible listeners to Valley Eye Radio can access our programming through our specially tuned radios, their smart speakers (Echo Dot / Google Home), the Sero app for the blind and visually impaired, our website and more.
If you know of someone in the Pioneer Valley who is blind, visually impaired or unable to read independently, please contact us at (413) 747-7337 or visit our website for more information about VER or to request a specially tuned radio.
Happy Birthday to all of our dedicated volunteer readers who felt the love from friends and family on their special day in June: Tim, Marcia, Jeannine, Marvee, Ken, Gerald and Arnold.
Happy Birthday also to all of our valued volunteers who begin another trip around the sun in July: Johanna, Barbara K, Jules, Mary Z., Sandy, Claire T. and Payton.
…and a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday to You” to all of those in our volunteer reader family who will get their cake and presents in August: Chuck, Ray, Sue, Jeff B., Rich, Happy, Paul, Mariana, Sarah, Claire S. and Nicholas.
Have a Nice Summer!
