THE FIDELCO GUIDE DOG FOUNDATION, INC.
103 Old Iron Ore Road, Bloomfield, Conn. 06002
www.fidelco.org

NEWS RELEASE               

For Immediate Release   

Date: May 12, 2010 

Contact: Jack Hayward                      
860-243-4800

 

COMMISSIONER JANET LABRECK TO BE HONORARY CHAIRPERSON FOR THE FIDELCO GUIDE DOG FOUNDATION’S FIRST WALK FOR FIDELCO-BOSTON

Walk to be held on May 22, 2010 at Castle Island, S. Boston

 

          Bloomfield, Conn.-The Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc. (Fidelco) has announced that Commissioner Janet LaBreck, head of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB,) will act as its honorary chairperson for the inaugural Walk for Fidelco-Boston. Commissioner LaBreck is a Fidelco client and partners with “Osbourne,” her Fidelco guide dog.

          Governor Deval Patrick appointed LaBreck as Commissioner for The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind on August 1, 2007. She served as Regional Director for MCB from 2001-2007. LaBreck obtained her Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Springfield College; in addition to being a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She also attended the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Mass.

Most recently, LaBreck received the 2010 “Heroes Among Us” award from the Boston Celtics organization in recognition of her advocacy to improve the lives of the 35,000 legally blind men and women in Massachusetts.

          “We are deeply grateful to Commissioner LaBreck for taking her valuable time to act as the chairperson for our first Boston walk,” said Eliot D. Russman, CEO and executive director of the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc. “Likewise, we are most pleased to have her as part of our Fidelco family.”

          Established in 1906, the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind continues to build on its mission of providing the highest quality rehabilitation and social services leading to independence, and economic self-sufficiency through employment, and full community inclusion for the blind. MCB provides a wide range of social and rehabilitation services to legally blind Massachusetts residents of all ages by working in partnership with legally blind consumers, families, community agencies, health care providers and employers.

          The Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Bloomfield, Conn., breeds, trains and places its own, unique type of German shepherd guide dogs with people who have visual disabilities. It pioneered In-community Placement in the United States; a process that allows guide dog users to be trained in the communities where they live and work. Now in its 50th year of service, Fidelco relies solely on the gifts and the generosity of individuals, foundations, corporations and civic organizations. For more information on Fidelco or our Walk, visit www.fidelco.org.

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