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Scene & Heard - A Sure Bet: Casino night benefits Industries for the Blind
Ed Brown Photo
With the plant floor redecorated as a Las Vegas casino, Mike Roberts deals cards to Jennifer Welker (from left), Pam Welker, Glenna Billings and Larry Billings at the “After Dark” fundraiser for Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind.
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Published: September 16, 2008
Updated: 09/15/2008 08:25 pm
Allen Joines has an extraordinary talent that goes unreported in his day-to-day role as mayor of Winston-Salem. But about 350 people Saturday night witnessed that talent: Joines and his wife, Peggy, are shaggers -- very good shaggers. When they hit the dance floor at the Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind's fourth annual "After Dark" fundraiser, "My Girl," as performed by The Catalinas, seemed to be written for them.
The fundraiser, designed as a Las Vegas casino night, benefitted IFB's literacy, training, development and student-enrichment programs. The nonprofit organization, located on North Point Boulevard, provides services, training and employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.
It was emceed again this year by Dave Plyler, a longtime IFB board member. He gave the crowd his usual big-hearted welcome and then introduced IFB employee Lawrence Marible. Marible's national anthem sent chills up my spine.
Plyler acknowledged JoAnn and Dan Boucher, honorary chairmen; Judy Bullard and Shirley Shouse, fundraising chairwomen; and Ann Johnston, board chairwoman. He also introduced David Horton, appointed IFB's executive director in January.
Horton gave a "huge thanks" to BB&T, the presenting sponsor; Carl Zeiss Vision and Staples, platinum sponsors; and other companies that contributed to the night. He also announced that Roy Townsend was named the "direct labor employee of the year" and that Steve Flynt was named the "indirect labor employee of the year."
Horton has been employed at IFB for seven years and worked closely with Boucher, the former president of IFB. "I learned a lot working with Dan," Horton said. "You work in this industry for awhile, and it gets into your heart." He attended the party with his wife, Robin.
Boucher, who serves as the executive chairman, focusing on strategic planning and working with the board of directors, was pleased with the fundraiser. "I'm always taken aback by the response to this event," Boucher said. "Each year it gets better. Ten years ago, people didn't even know who we were, and now, because of the board of directors, they do. Because of my work at the national level, I've met a lot of people and other boards, and there's no other boards like the one here in Winston-Salem."
In the past 10 years, IFB has grown from 87 blind employees to 385, and from $8 million in sales to $80 million, Boucher said.
As everyone celebrated at the IFB headquarters, Buddy Farnan, a slight-of-hand artist from Salisbury, executed some wonderful magic tricks. Amber Terrace, the director of the low-vision clinic and dressed as the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, added to the festive atmosphere.
At the door, guests were greeted by Devlin Mentzer, an Elvis impersonator provided by Happy Rentz of Greensboro. A group of card dealers, bartenders and cocktail waitresses all created a dazzling casino atmosphere.
Steve Flynt was in charge of converting the plant floor into a world of palm trees, neon lights, wedding chapels and the longest bar I've ever seen. Flynt, who has retinitis pigmentosa, has been employed at IFB for five years. Today, he works as an industrial engineer and says he loves it. "They understand," he said. "I have a progressive disease, and as it increases, I know they'll help."
Annette Clinard, the director of human resources, described the group she works with as having "big hearts and a big interest in being productive and part of the community."
Bridgett Cherry, the employee relations manager, said that IFB is "more family-oriented" than corporations where she has worked. "We're all one big family," she said. Her biggest challenge is finding more people to join the family, a challenge she said she is handling by "aggressively recruiting in other states."
I met lots of IFB employees Saturday night, among them Grant Zolninger, a production manager chatting near the wedding chapel with Pam Smith, named by IFB as volunteer of the year. Smith is the lead teacher for the blind and visually impaired for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. She started volunteering at IFB a couple of years ago with the beep-ball baseball program. Today, she volunteers with the children's program.
I also met Danny Kelly, who moved to Winston-Salem about a year ago to become the general manager at IFB after five years of working at the national office in Alexandria, Va. He attended the party with his wife, Karen.
Peggy Joines had a lot of family with her this year, including her sisters Beth Parks and Jeanne Wilkinson and their husbands, John and Kelly. Mrs. Wilkinson works at IFB as vice president of business strategies after many years in the corporate world. "I came here at a point when I wanted something personally rewarding and professionally challenging," she said. "The difference is that instead of shareholders, it is the blind who benefit here."
■ E-mail features@wsjournal.com and type "Scene" in the subject line or call 727-7339. You may contact Leigh Somerville McMillan directly by e-mail at leigh@studiomcmillan.com.
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