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14 Worcester Business Journal • Giving Guide 2015 www.wbjournal.com Future Goals • To serve all individuals in Central Massachusetts who could benefit from free access to current, local information that is not readily available to them. • To expand our reach and effectiveness through the use of improving technology. • To continue to produce award-winning programming that is pertinent and helpful in improving the quality of one's life. • To provide a stepping-stone for blind individuals to become more independent through internships and employment training. • To increase volunteer opportunities for all, including students, veterans, those incarcerated, and those with disabilities. • Recruit board members who are motivated and determined to help achieve the organization's goals. • To continue to increase and diversify our funding base. • To better understand and adapt to the needs of our listeners. Fundraising Events/Opportunities Taking the show on the road has proven to be a fun and effective way to raise funds, while providing the public with a good idea of what Audio Journal is all about. Our long- running, award-winning "Radio-Active Theatre," is an effort which harkens back to the "golden days" of radio. The live production, graciously hosted by Briarwood Retirement Community, offers guests an old-time radio experience, complete with a cast of characters and live sound effects. The next event is scheduled for early spring 2016. Corporate sponsorships are available, along with program advertising and donations of silent auction items. We encourage all interested parties to consider purchasing blocks of tickets for our blind or other disadvantaged friends. Call 508-797-1117 or see www.audiojournal.net for details. Underwriting sponsorship of on-air programs and in- house internships provides an effective way to support Audio Journal at reasonable rates, while enhancing your connection to the community. Audio Journal is available to produce your messages in a variety of audio formats for other broadcast or online use, to convert printed literature into sound, and to provide audio description services for films, exhibitions, performances and events. We are also able to consult on accessibility issues and solutions for those with disabilities. Volunteer Opportunities Fun, challenging and rewarding volunteer opportunities are what keep our family of 170 individuals coming back. Evaluation and training provide tools for on-air broadcasts, interviews, acting, audio editing and administrative assistance. We are always looking for good readers, board members and listener assistants who "get" what Audio Journal is all about. You probably won't get discovered or become famous, but you will experience the joy of using your talents to simply lend a helping hand (or voice) to a most appreciative audience. Call Valerie, our volunteer coordinator, at 508-797-1117 or email: valerie@audiojournal.net. Giving Opportunities Individual and Corporate appeals are sent out each year, and support can be provided online anytime at www.audiojournal.net. Contributions can also come through Vehicles for Charity, the Greater Worcester Community Foundation and other local foundations, Local Cultural Councils, civic organizations (Lions, Rotary, others), the United Way of Central Massachusetts and for state employees through COMECC. Audio Journal has developed a legacy package to help answer questions for those interested in offering support through bequests, beneficiary designations, charitable gift annuities or IRA rollovers. Gifts in memory of loved ones can be acknowledged on-air if desired. Board of Directors MISSION STATEMENT Service area: Central Massachusetts; also worldwide via www.audiojournal.net A nonprofit radio, cable and online reading service, which seeks to inform and empower people who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise unable to read print and visual materials. Audio Journal also works to increase employment opportunities for legally blind individuals through training and associated services. The Memorial Foundation for the Blind .................. 38% Local Foundations ......... 18% Dean Family Trust .......... 10% MA Commission for the Blind ...................................... 10% Top funding sources: Mary Haroyan, MAB Community Services, Vice President David Keeler, New England Low Vision, Secretary Robert Currie, Currie Management Maribeth Fisher, Seven Hills Community Services James M. Meola, Spectrum Health Systems Elizabeth Myska, Attorney at Law Audio Journal Inc. 799 West Boylston Street Worcester, MA 01606 Phone: 508-797-1117 www.audiojournal.net Full-time employees: 3 Annual revenues: $248,000 Year founded: 1987 With Audio Journal I can keep up with what is going on... and you learn that blind people can do everything anyone else does. – Norma, Spencer Edward J. O'Connor Jr. Wealth Advisory Services, LLC Board President Vincent dePaul Lombardi Executive Director Audio Journal Inc.