A New Year Begins
As we enter the new year of 2012, while still reflecting on the past year, I am encouraged by the words of Albert Einstein, “learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow."
On behalf of our many clients who benefited directly by your support of Fidelco during the past year, I’d like to offer our most heartfelt thanks for helping us Share the Vision ®.
As we begin 2012, it’s important to acknowledge that 2011 presented some very difficult times for many of our friends and supporters. Having weathered many storms together, I’m inspired by the passion, commitment and determination of every employee, volunteer and donor who stood together with us to help produce the highest quality German Shepherd Guide Dogs for our growing list of clients.
I am also encouraged that better days are ahead of us. Although our nation’s economic and security challenges are great, I know that we will continue to work together to better the lives of men and women who are blind so that they can live more independent lives in a world that presumes the ability of everyone to see.
Also, as we enter the new year, I can touch the beginnings of a robust and even more successful Fidelco of the future.
The Norma F. Pfriem Pup House is full of new life and these pups are on their way to becoming Fidelco Guide Dogs. With your continued support, two years from now, many of them will begin a life of dedicated and loving service that, for many, will exceed 10 years.
For some of our newest clients, those in their early twenties, these pups represent the first of many successor guide dogs. These clients are very fortunate indeed because, with your continued help, these clients will help to celebrate Fidelco’s 100th anniversary in 2060, just 48 short years from now.
Best wishes to each of you and your families for a happy and healthy 2012.
Eliot D. Russman
CEO and Executive Director
|
|
Getting a Guide Dog
from Fidelco
 Demand for Fidelco guide dogs is at an
all-time high. If you're ready to experience the freedom and independence that comes with a Fidelco German Shepherd Guide dog, click here to learn about our admissions and application process.
Thanks to a grant provided by Newman's Own Foundation, SrA Michael Malarsie was able to return
to work aided by Fidelco Guide Dog "Xxon."
|
January is National Braille
Literacy Month
 National Literacy Month commemorates the birth of Louis Braille in 1809. Braille was blinded at the age of three years old by an accident in his father’s harness-making shop in Coupvray, near Paris. An awl used to make holes in leather harnesses slid into his eye, causing an infection that blinded him in both eyes.
At the age of 10, and with a love of learning, Braille entered the Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris, the world’s first school for blind children, but learning by listening only became increasingly difficult.
When Braille was 12 years old, he began modifying and adding his own invention to a secret code used by the French military called “night writing”. Working entirely on his own, Braille streamlined the night writing code from a series of 12-dot patterns to a simpler, and more elegant, six-dot version. He perfected his system in three short years and presented it the world at the age of 15.
Six dots. Six bumps. Near endless combinations. And the world of learning again opened to Louis Braille. And his passion forever changed the world of independent reading, writing and learning for many people who are blind.
Braille accepted a full-time teaching position at the Royal Institute when he was nineteen. He was a respected teacher and an accomplished musician. Braille died at age 43 in 1852.
We're powered by:
Official Event Sponsor:
|
RECENT EVENTS
January 5, 2011 — Fidelco German Shepherd Dog “Will” graduates from the Connecticut State Police K-9 Training Academy and will serve with the New Britain Police Department.
L to R: Chief William L. Gagliardi, New Britain Police Department; Mo Violette, K-9 Trainer, NBPD; K-9 Will; Officer Nick Egan, NBPD; Eliot D. Russman, CEO, Fidelco.
December 12, 2011 — 19th Annual Connecticut Youth Forum holiday party for Hartford school children.
December 17, 2011 — “Operation ELF” celebration at the Hartford Armory for families of deployed military personnel.
L to R: Major General Thaddeus J. Martin, Adjutant General, Connecticut National Guard; Lt. Colonel Robert A. Corona, Connecticut State Police; Norm LeBlanc, Trantolo & Trantolo; Connecticut Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman; Eliot D. Russman, CEO, Fidelco; Laurie Russman.
December 21, 2011 — Simsbury Police Department Christmas gift drive to support K-9 troops deployed in Afghanistan.
L to R: Mark Rudewicz, Animal Control Officer, Simsbury Police Department and drive organizer displays gifts donated by Fidelco employees with
Chief Peter N. Ingvertsen, Simsbury Police Department; Santa (Eric Gardell, Fidelco Guide Dog Trainer/ Instructor); Fidelco’s “Radar”; Eliot D. Russman, CEO, Fidelco.
|
 
|
|
