Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children

Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children 2011-2012 Annual Report Envisioning New Paths to Success Dear Friends,

As an educator, there is nothing more rewarding than witnessing a student’s personal success. Observing a student traveling independently for the first time in a power wheelchair or with a white cane; a child with visual impairment writing their first story in braille; a youngster with severe disabilities feeding himself; a blind young adult learning to shop in the community. These are some of the triumphs realized by the students at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children during the last year that overwhelmed us with pride.

The everyday success stories of our boys and girls were the pinnacle of the 2011/12 school term, also made memorable with the start of year-long commemorations in honor of our 125th anniversary. The anniversary’s theme -- “Envisioning New Paths to Success” -- represents our commitment to helping students with visual impairment in their voyage to higher levels of independence.

As we celebrate the School’s birthday, we reflect on our wishes for the hundreds of students served through both our on-campus and outreach programs. A parent’s wish for their child to walk or communicate. A young adult’s wish for meaningful employment. But wishing to make these dreams a reality isn’t nearly enough. It takes student perseverance and the hard work of staff and parents along with the generous support of the community to realize these goals.

Thanks to friends like you, the School for Blind Children ensures the vision of a greater tomorrow for youth confronted with a visual impairment. And as we celebrate our past, we eagerly plan for the future. Our entire School community is embarking on our next Strategic Plan, as well as applying for reaccreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Our 125th anniversary year continues into the next school term, where we will dedicate our new Urban Trail– an innovative on-campus path designed to help our students fine tune vital travel training skills – which was made possible thanks to our generous individual, group and foundation donors.

Thank you again for your interest in our School. Your commitment to making dreams come true is a source of hope for our students and their families. Happy Trails to You!

Todd S. Reeves Superintendent En Route to Education

Along their way towards increased independence, the students at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children are confronted with many obstacles. In addition to their visual impairment, our enrolled school-age pupils have other serious physical and cognitive disabilities that make accessing information difficult.

Unlike their sighted peers who learn concepts through rich visual experiences, students with vision loss often miss or learn concepts in an incomplete or distorted way. In order to fill in these missing pieces, our children and young adults train to master what is known as the “expanded core curriculum.”

To provide a foundation for all learning, the expanded core curriculum empowers students by addressing the distinctive set of challenges individuals without vision encounter. Essential life skills such as how to travel in their environment, appropriate social interaction, operating assistive technology and independent living concepts are some of the learning components of the expanded core curriculum.

Helping the students and their families navigate the journey are our dedicated staff members who are committed to developing each child’s maximum level of self-reliance. Specialized instruction by teachers of the visually impaired and support services such as occupational, physical and communication therapy, orientation and mobility training, and intensive nursing care address the whole needs of our youngsters.

The School’s reputation as a pioneer in the field of special education is well-supported throughout its long history. This tradition of excellence continued in the 2011/12 school year as our staff further refined and enhanced programming to benefit our students and our specialized field of education.

This commitment was reflected in our efforts to address the most common cause of permanent visual impairment in children, Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI). Approximately 65% of our students evidence CVI, a visual diagnosis caused by brain abnormalities and not deficiencies of the eye. With proper intervention, students with CVI can actually improve their visual functioning, thereby increasing the likelihood of educational success.

A cross section of School teachers and therapists trained as “CVI Mentors” assessed 110 students in the 2011/12 school year. Working with our educational teams, the mentors helped to plan and implement instructional strategies based on their findings.

By making changes such as eliminating visual clutter and adapting our classroom environments and materials to specifically address their needs and preferences, our students with CVI are marking remarkable strides using what vision they have to access the world around them. For 125 years, the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children has continuously evolved to provide services that best suit student needs. We are proud of our legacy of staying on the forefront of the education of the visually impaired. And while practices, curriculum and technology will undoubtedly continue to change, rest assured the School will continue to meet the challenges posed by each generation of students.

Navigating Through History » A look back at how far we’ve come…

When the doors of the “Western Pennsylvania Institution for the Blind” first opened in 1887, six pupils began their first formal education. The number soon swelled to 21, with another 30 applicants on the waiting list. At the time, the curriculum focused on literary skills, music and manual training.

Today, more than 170 enrolled students are served annually. The curriculum emphasizes the acquisition of life skills. Certified teachers of the visually impaired and qualified therapists and health professionals collaborate on planning and implementing effective, individualized educational programs.

The Road to Residential Life

At the School for Blind Children, nearly 25% of our boys and girls travel great distances far from their families and the familiar confines of their homes, in order to access our highly specialized and effective educational services. Offered to those who live in these outlying areas or have medically related conditions that make it difficult to commute daily, the School’s Residential Program operates Sunday evenings through Friday afternoons.

For parents adapting to the reality of raising a child with severe disabilities, deciding to entrust the care of their son or daughter to someone else for five days week can be extremely difficult and emotionally charged. The choice can have a tremendous impact on your child’s future success, development and overall well-being.

Parents can take comfort that the nurturing, secure environment provided at our School aims to replicate a home-like atmosphere where students can thrive. The entire campus becomes a family unit, almost like an extended family living under the same roof. There are school functions, club meetings and activities after school, along with social gatherings. There are dorm rooms for the students to call home, an individualized dietary program and twenty-four hour, qualified staff to look after them. And whether it’s through a phone call, email or Skype video chat, parents and students are encouraged to maintain close contact throughout the week.

Both before and after dinner, after-school programming blends teachable moments with group activities that reinforce functional skills taught throughout the instructional day. Kids might enjoy a performance by local musicians, participate in horticulture activities in the greenhouse, work on daily living skills in the Student Apartment, play t-ball in the gymnasium or benefit from creative expression with arts and crafts.

On Friday afternoons, the students leave campus, to remain at home for the weekend. Then, on Sunday afternoons, the cycle repeats itself and the students arrive back on campus to begin another week of instruction and learning, along with socializing with their friends and being involved in their over-all school experience.

As a way to mark the School’s special anniversary, the Residential Program incorporated several activities during 2011/12 including hosting the 125th Winter Gala Dance in February. Students, staff, family members and friends celebrated the milestone by dancing the night away to tunes spun by a professional disc jockey and enjoying birthday cake and refreshments.

Joining in on the Residential Department’s after-school fun were many of our day students, as part of the School’s “Transition Academy.” Available for up to three days per week from 3:00 – 5:15 p.m., the Transition Academy provides day students the opportunity to further develop important instructional and social goals outlined in their educational plans while participating in leisure time pursuits and stimulating activities.

The School’s first annual Braille Rally was held in 1964. The tradition endures today and has been hosted since 1973 by the dedicated members of the Vintage Tin Car Club of Pittsburgh. Providing our students with a one-of-a-kind opportunity, it is one of the Residential Program’s yearly highlights. With the wind in their hair, students stop along the way at check points where they draw from a deck of cards to try and collect the best five-card poker hand.

Onward to Outreach

The road of life can sometimes be a little bumpy. Everybody needs a little help along the way. This is especially true for students with disabilities who are forced to take the path less traveled, facing almost insurmountable road blocks and barriers as they try to access an education and learn about the world around them.

For the hundreds of students who are blind and visually impaired who attend their local public schools within western Pennsylvania, the School for Blind Children’s Outreach Department provides them, their families and teachers a full menu of resources and support they need to plot the course for educational success. From conducting pre-school vision screenings and developing educational plans to delivering direct instruction in travel training or braille literacy, the Outreach Department is committed to aiding our friends throughout the region in reaching their highest potential. We are proud to partner with colleagues in school districts and intermediate units to supplement educational services for children with visual impairments, with or without additional disabilities.

Serving toddlers to young adolescents transitioning into adulthood, our Outreach efforts continued to thrive in 2011/12, providing direct service to more than 100 students hailing from all parts of western Pennsylvania.

We meet our youngest clients through the TODDLER Program which provides free, vital early intervention services to Pennsylvania families of infants and toddlers who are legally blind or have suspected blindness.

As a supplement to the TODDLER Program, the School also offers the P.A.L.S. (Play, Achieve, Learn and Socialize) Play Group. Youngsters and their families have the opportunity to socialize, play and learn with other children with visual impairments. Directed by experienced professionals, the children benefit from small group instruction, peer interaction and activities designed to meet their individual needs.

Together with Dr. Christine Roman, the School’s Outreach Department offered five different days of vision evaluations for students diagnosed with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI). During these clinics, non-enrolled students living in Pennsylvania received a full assessment, consultative support and recommendations for programming from a renowned leader in the field of vision.

The Outreach Department’s year culminated with the successful “CVI: Visions of Change Conference” held on June 15 - 16, 2012. The national conference featured an array of topics such as identification and assessment techniques, educational strategies and supports services designed to aid educators, therapists, medical professionals and family members of individuals with CVI.

For more than a century, the School enrolled students with the single disability of blindness. But in the 1970s, federal legislation was passed that required public schools accommodate blind students. At the same time, advances in medical technology increased the survival rates of children born with multiple disabilities. These two developments guided the School’s decision to alter its Mission to meet the needs of students who had complex medical challenges in addition to their visual impairment. By 1986, the transformation was complete and the on-campus School program was devoted to this special population. Outreach efforts began in 1981, with early intervention programming for infants and toddlers. In 2008, the scope of our services expanded exponentially to include programs for school aged students with visual impairment that attend their local school.

Journey Ahead: The Course to Child Care & the Adult Program

Education is a life-long adventure. It begins in early childhood, the most rapid period of human development and continues throughout adulthood. Recognizing the potential to positively impact these phases of growth that extend beyond the school-age years, the School for Blind Children embarked on two new programs in 2011/12 to serve individuals with visual impairments both younger and older than ever before.

Choosing the right child care program is a tricky task for any parent. If your new baby or toddler has special needs, the issues become even more complicated. Providing hope and options for parents, the School introduced an integrated child care program this year that blends young children with visual impairments with typically developing sighted peers.

“A Child’s VIEW: Vision In Extraordinary Ways” is a program of the Early Childhood Center located on the campus of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. It provides comprehensive child care opportunities for typically developing children and those with visual impairments ages 6 weeks to 5 years. This innovative program is designed to benefit all children, no matter their ability level or sensory deficits.

On the other end of the age spectrum, finding appropriate post-graduate placements for many of our School alumni has become increasingly difficult. Our philosophy is simple: even though our students have turned 21 years old and are entering the next chapter of their lives, they deserve the same level of care and engagement they received at our School and to live meaningfully with dignity and respect.

In response to concerns regarding the lack of suitable adult programming, funding and placement opportunities for medically fragile adults with significant disabilities in our area, the School piloted a post-school adaptive living skill service and vocational training day program for clients ages 21-25 in September 2011. The construction of such an initiative is unique among schools for the blind and we are proud to offer this program in conjunction with the Community College of Allegheny County.

Called “LAVI: Learning Adventures for the Visually Impaired,” the program is housed on the School’s Oakland campus and operated on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Seven adults, all 2011 graduates of the School for Blind Children, were offered comprehensive instruction in life skills, socialization and self- care.

The success of LAVI is indicated by the projected increased enrollment for 2012/13 with ten young adults slated to take part. In addition, the program will be expanded to four days a week. But our greatest pride comes in knowing we are making a tangible difference in the lives of students and their families.

“Without this program, our son would be isolated at home with a nurse. He is extremely happy now and enjoys being with his classmates and the incredible staff. There truly is a great need for this program,” said a parent of a LAVI participant.

Make Way for Community Involvement

It was the collective vision of community members that led to the establishment of our organization. From those earliest days to the present, our supporters have served as a beacon, guiding the School through the peaks and valleys of its long history.

But the School community extends far beyond our walls, into the wider world. We recognize the magnitude of our students’ entire family in the educational process. The Parent Teacher Organization, popular Grandparent Express club and SibShop program for brothers and sisters contribute to the collaborative unity so central to our Mission.

Further, our dedicated corps of volunteers enrich school life by donating their time and talents. Service club members, like those in the Lions and Kiwanis clubs throughout our region, have provided unwavering support for decades.

As the cornerstone of the 125th anniversary celebration, the School conducted a special fundraising effort in 2011/12 for the development of an Urban Trail on our campus that will provide a safe and stimulating environment for our students to learn and practice important life skills.

Scheduled for an October 2012 dedication, the Urban Trail will be an exploratory classroom to practice orientation and mobility skills while also providing a source of sensory stimulation and place to enjoy the outdoors. This new campus highlight was made possible thanks to the generosity of countless individuals, groups and charitable organizations.

At no time in our history has a parent ever been charged for enrolling their child at our School. Unfortunately, government reimbursement does not cover the costs of the intensive programs necessary to change lives and smooth the path to a better future for our students.

Thus, the School’s legacy of providing exceptional educational services to blind children is the result of the support and encouragement of generations of people. Donations are vital and aid our more than 170 enrolled youngsters, as well as the nearly 200 boys and girls with visual impairment throughout the state served annually through our Outreach Programs.

Brake for Board & Staff Executive Committee: L. Van V. Dauler, Jr., President Laura B. Gutnick, Vice President Todd Reeves, Secretary Susan McAleer, Treasurer James M. Ferguson III Harry G. Kilvanick Joseph A. Massaro III

Trustees: Albert W. Biglan, M.D. Gabrielle R. Bonhomme, M.D. H. Scott Cunningham Joel M. Helmrich Thomas A. Karet Alan Lantzy, M.D. Maryjean A. Lovett James K. Martin Carole Miner Schuman Jennifer A. Shuckrow Joseph C. Wassermann

Honorary Trustee: Ellen C. Walton

Management: Todd Reeves, Executive Director/Superintendent/Secretary of the Board Susan McAleer, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer Christine Roman, Special Assistant to the Superintendent Barbara Cunningham, Employee Relations Director Brenda Egan, Early Childhood Program Director Barry Fell, Related Services Director Maryanne Loebig, Health Services & Residential Night Director Beth Ramella, Outreach Director Rachelle Rectenwald, Transitional Program Director Rhonda Curry, Residential Night Manager Nilda Delerme, Transitional Manager Jan Hackel, Early Childhood Manager Jan Husser, Intermediate Manager Dennis Kwiatkowski, Buildings and Grounds Manager Jillian Pritts, Institutional Advancement Manager Sharon Schmidt, Activities Manager Michelle Wilczek, Residential Manager Jenifer Brander, Lead Behavior Specialist Amanda Gallagher, Lead Physical Therapist Mark Kislan, Lead Occupational Therapist Financial Statements STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION June 30, 2011 June 30, 2010 Assets Cash and short term note $ 2,391,355 $ 2,950,696 Other Current Assets 861,352 901,200 Investments and Funds Held in Trust 195,962,871 161,205,863 Net Property, Plant and Equipment 25,684,424 24,806,245 Total $ 224,900,002 $ 189,864,004

Liabilities and Net Assets Accrued wages and expenses $ 5,772,699 $ 5,543,041 Accounts payable 481,682 451,906 Bonds payable 15,000,000 15,000,000 Bond premium/Interest payable 124,200 130,410 Unrestricted Net Assets 185,039,212 152,459,822 Restricted Net Assets 18,482,209 16,278,825 Total $ 224,900,002 189,864,004

STATEMENT OF CURRENT OPERATING ACTIVITIES Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2011 June 30, 2010 Revenue and Support Commonwealth of Pennsylvania $ 9,837,631 $ 9,894,412 School Districts and Intermediate Units 6,910,820 6,973,475 Federal Revenue 818,249 946,242 Contributions and Private Support 1,366,345 1,410,577 Net Interest and Dividends 1,441,324 1,656,481 Total $ 20,374,369 $ 20,881,187

Expenses Salaries and Benefits $ 17,034,727 $ 16,686,922 Contracted Services 1,090,669 1,201,137 Operations and Depreciation 1,646,529 1,707,686 Supplies and other Program Costs 1,502,716 1,410,779 Total $ 21,274,641 $ 21,006,524 Net Gain (Loss) $ (900,272) $ (125,337)

NOTES 1. The financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis. Accordingly, revenues and support are recorded when earned and expenses are recognized when liabilities are incurred.

2. Depreciation has been recorded using the straight line method of depreciation over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings are depreciated over forty years, building improvements over fifteen years, machinery and equipment and furniture and fixtures over ten years, and vehicles over four years.

3. Bequests, realized gains or losses, and unrealized gains or losses are not included in the Statement of Current Operating Activities.

4. Investments and funds held in trust are stated at market value. 5. The June 30, 2010 financial statements will be audited by Grossman, Yanak & Ford, Certified Public Accountants. Bequests

The difference between a minimal education and an extraordinary one for the children served by our School is due, in large part, to the support we receive from our valued friends and donors. The School for Blind Children receives appropriation from the state and local school districts, but those funds alone do not come close to meeting all of the needs of our special students.

Each child here has a unique story. Collectively, they have all faced unusual odds. Believing that good education will bring about many positive changes, our staff members try to make each day count. It is difficult for these youngsters to learn new skills. With perseverance and opportunity, even the students who are the most challenged by physical, cognitive and sensory disabilities make progress.

The following pages list the names of the generous people who helped to support the School over the past 124 years by contributions through wills or bequests. These vital and meaningful planned gifts underscore the donor’s commitment to the organization’s long–term success.

There are many ways to show your support, for more information on how you can help provide learning that lasts a lifetime, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 412-621- 0100, email [email protected], or visit our website: www.wpsbc.org.

Louis I. Aaron Anna Elizabeth Abbott William M. Achhammer Louis Adamovitch Abraham Adelman Irma N. Agnew Virginia Aiken Charles M. Alexander C.M. Alexander Grace R. Alster Charlotte M. Anderson Rose C. McHugh Anderson Charles Arbuthnot Mary E. Armstrong Zella Armstrong Joseph A. Aronson Emma L. Arthurs Raymond Artz William T. Aurentz Sarah S. Austen Fannie Reese Ayers Virginia Bach Ronald T. Bachmann Morris Baer Marie A. Bagwell Utilles Baird Georgie C. Baker Ralph W. Baker Elizabeth M. Bankel James W. Bannister Howard O. Barnes Jean Barnhart Anna Bowles Bartley Lawrence Basile Lucien Graham Bauer Zelma Smith Bausch Mary Bayard Susan Bayard William H. Bechtold Anna E. Beck Flora M. Beck Marion J. Becker William G. Beckman Jean K. Beggs Ann Marie Behen Dorothy Jones Beidler Martha L. Belknap Thompson Bell E.F. Thompson for Elizabeth Bendrodt John R. Benson Phillis L. Bentz Margaret Evans Berdan Lillian Berkofsky J. D. Bernd Robert N. Bethell W. S. Bickart Julius S. Bickert Emma W. Bihler Elsie L. Bihlman Sophia Binder Mary M. Bindley Myra J. Binsley Susanna Bischel Marion Blakeley Anna Rachel Blanchard Adele L. Blayney Elise K. Bloom Frederick W. Bloom Emma M. Blum Henry F. Boettcher R. H. Boggs Laura K. Bogler Rinehart Bohn Conrad H. Bokerman George P. Bollman Laura H. Borland Henry W. Borntraeger Helen B. Boswell Louis Bowers Dean A. Boyd Callie Bragdon Olive F. Bragdon Elizabeth J. Brandon Herman Brandt Arthur E. Braun Ethel C. Brawn Kathryn E. Breitweiser Mary E. Bridges Emma Dale Harrison Broadhurst Alice E. Brock Anna Cloyde Brooks Charles A. Brooks Daisy C. Brown Russell V. Brown Carl W. Brueck Grace H. Buck Shirley Budke William C. Buechner Henry Buhl Emma V. Bulger Louise G. Bumgarner Helen Borland Burchfield Sara M. Burckart Zita M. Byrne Katharine P. Caldwell Eleanor B. Calhoun Clyde William Campbell Emma M. Campbell Henrietta T. Campbell Margaret Shaw Campbell Virginia Campbell Walter J. Campbell Grace Carson Julia Carson Robert Carson Evelyn E. Catanzaro Milton Chait Esther Chianese Elizabeth R. Childs J. Mabon Childs Rose A. Choffin Elizabeth G. Cisneros Armede B. Clark Marie E. Clark Ella May Clarke Helen Clarke Helen P. Classic Sara Agnes Clendenning Mary Louise Cochrane Carrie Cohen Kate Cohen Charlotte Collison Cora Conley Virginia French Conley Vaseleke H. Constandy Katherine Hunter Conroy Grace Coulter Sarah J. Craig Dorothea Crane Estella Wood Crane Edwin R. Crawford Stanley E. Crawford Jane S. Cromer Floyd W. Crowne Grace A. Dailey Alice H. Danahey Samuel H. Darrall Laura Jane Daryman Mary E. Davidson James R. Davis, Jr. Julie Marie Davis Lottie Davis Bessie R. Dawson Margaret E. Dawson Harvey Deaktor Samuel Deaktor Lora M. Deane Harry D. Deloe Alexander Dempster Peter Denby Loretta DePerro Mary DePippa Rose Derov A. J. DeRoy Fredericka Detrich Alice Devey Sara T. Dewsnapp Emily Gertrude Davis Dible Susanna Diffenbacher Harry F. Domhoff Jessie J. Domka Amanda B. Donahue Ruth E. Donnally J. J. Donnell Ruth E. Donnell Tille Dorsey Elizabeth Dougherty Joseph M. Dougherty Mary C. Dougherty Ethel R. Douglas Germaine A. Douteau Alma F. Drake Paul H. Drees Lois A. Duer William H. Duff, III Elsie G. Duga Louis S. Duncan Mary L. Duncan Mary I. Dunne Thomas N. Dunne O. M. Eakins Dorothy M. Eardley Mary E. Earl Eliza T. Edwards Margaret K. Ege Benjamin Ehrenberger Josephine M. Eichenlaub Ola Edeburn Eick Marjory S. Eiseman Carl Walter Elsholz Georgia Elton June Y. Enelow Leonard Enelow Harry N. Englert E. Marguerite Erhard Elizabeth Braun Ernst Ann Marie Esposito Arthur Evans Howard S. Evans Oliver L. Evans Thomas R. Evans, II Laura Evans-Ford Lois H. Fabiani Mathilda Fagan Dallas Darow Fahey Patricia Fallecker Frances A. Faloon Albert Farber Rachel A. Farrington Evelyn Fawell Olga M. Fay Viola E. Fehr Mary Warfel Ferguson Etta Pearle Fincke Charles Finegan J. B. Finley Margaret H. Finley Jeanette Finn Helen J. Fleck Lloyd Fleming Robert W. Flenniken Alice M. Flick Daniel C. Flory Myrtle Forsha Gertrude Forster Curtis S. Foster Fay Foster James Foster Louis Foster Ella H. Frank Vera G. Franklin Emanuel Frederick Harry W. Freye Jacob C. Fry Grace A. Frye Thomas B. Frye Margaret F. Fugh Carl J. Fuhr Helen Ruth Fullerton Louis M. Fushan Jessie M. Galbraith Katherine Clapp Galbraith Margery Galer Elisabeth E. Gannon Gyla W. Gardiner Esther L. Garber Minne B. Gerst Charles C. Gerwig Elizabeth H. Gettman Flora M. Gilbert Thelma Giles Mable D. Gilleland J. Laird Gillespie Thelma H. Gillespie Charles H. Gilmore Ann Gilpin Fannie I. Glass Sara Glenn Harry G. Goff Minnie Klein Goldberg George Goodwin Thomas C. Gordon Alice Morgan Graff Charles H. A. Graham Caroline Graper Ella Graubart Albert B. Graver Clara E. Graver R. D. Gray Ruth T. Gray Mildred S. Greer Sadie Grekin Lillie Griffith Margaret E. Grimpe Michael A. Gross Mildred Gross Arthur M. Grossman Martha Guenzer Agnes M. Gulentz Essie V. Gullett Augusta S. Gundlach Margaret A. Gundlach Charles E. Gundy Frances S. Gunn Stella H. Guthrie George Halpern Lillian G. Hapern Anne Halpin George V. Hamilton Marianne Rea Hamilton Benjamin Hammond Irma McDonald Harding Edith H. Harper Lola Harrison Eliza D. Hartley Helen Hartley Goldyne Hartman Mabel Daley Hartman Mary K. Hartzell Ida Hasson Lloyd J. Hayden Minnie B. Hayden Charles Hays Robert E. Hays R. M. Head Alvin D. Headrick Gertrude B. Heard James D. Heard John J. Heard Jessie O. Heasley Annie May Hegeman Anna Mae Heinlein Hazel Helm William A. Henderson Carl C. Henning Suzanne O. Henry Dolly L. Hensel Eva Herbst Margaret M. Heron Oliver S. Hershman H. W. Hespenheide, Jr. Harriet Hespenheide Virginia V. Hewitt Margaret Heyl Joseph Hicklin Anna A. Hicks Lewis W. Hicks Melinda Morrow Hicks Wenman A. Hicks William W. Hicks Edna P. Hoag D. Hoburg E. Hoburg Dorothea Van Buren Hoehl Roxie Snyder Hoehl Bertha C. Hoffrichter Christopher Holl Jane Holmes Nathaniel Holmes Philip Edward Horn Marie L. Hornberger Portia T. Hosler Charles E. Hoting Mary E. Hoting Evelyn H. Housley May Howard Mary A. Howe Clara Boehm Howell Nancy Howell Frieda E. Hoy Alexander Hreachmack Rose M. Hughes Mary A. Hughes Hunt Helen M. Hurst Irene G. Hutchinson Nannie A. Igram Grace I. Irwin Albert Isay Mathilde Ittel Fleda F. Iversen John Jablonsky Gertrude Jenny Mary Jernberg Fern MacLure Jobe Laura T. Johnson Agnes M. Johnston Dorothy Layman Jones Elizabeth G. Jones Mary H. Jones Thomas Lewis Jones Helen Grace Jordon Mary Junker Oliver B. Kalar Anna M. Kambach Helen M. Karey Rachel Katzenmeyer G. A. Herman Kauffeld Ethel Kay Elizabeth H. Keating Dorothy M. Kelly Vivian Kelly Nell Kennerdell Annie Given Kerr Laura Ketterer Beatrice King Fannie M. King Willis L. King, Jr. Francis H. Kirker Mathilda Klages Samuel Sandor Klein Raymond F. Klinzing Beatrice Kohn Margaret B. Kohn Pearl O. Kramer Arthur A. Kridel Edith G. Krueger Louise Kumer Louise S. Kumer George W. Kummer Elbert N. Kunkle Carol Kurtz Norman Kuzma Florence Barrett Ladd Walter J. Laitsch Bertha M. Landau Ethel LaSalle Hilda H. Laub Henry A. Laughlin Josiah Lazar Robert G. Lea Anna Ledrich John M. Lee Lillian F. Leff Elizabeth LeGoullon Leo Lehman Myra Love Lermann Bell McC. Lessenberry D. D. Lessenberry Yetta Levenson David Levison Ralph Levison Sanford A. Levy Harold J. Lewis Laura E. Linke Henry E. Linton Richard Little Dorothy Livingston Margaret A. Livingstone Marie Locher Ida A. Lockhart A. Howard Logan Giambattista Lombardi Helen Londo Albert M. Long Jeannette Long Lillian Lonkowski Sara H. H. Lopatnikoff Emma Luderer Ellen Ludwig Margaret Lyle Marguerite MacIntosh Louise Maeder Ella J. Maher Annie W. Mahood Emile Majerus Nelle Mallison Ida Mann Julia Marchulinas Ben Mardowitz Melvin Markowitz Julia Marks Elsie G. Marshall Irene Marshall Anna Z. Martier Elizabeth D. Martin Fannie Martin Nellie C. Martin S. S. Marvin Sara Jane Mascaro Martha Lockhardt Mason Mary J. Maund Philomena Mauro Mary H. Maury Hugh McAffee Katherine R. McAleer Elizabeth Nelson McBride Evaline B. McBride Emma M. McCall Alice M. McCann Paul J. McCann Grace C. McCombs Aileen McCullough Jayne E. McDaniel Nell A. McDonough Edmund McElwain Kate G. McFadyen Annabelle Livingston McKerahan Helen J. McKesson Helen R. Milar Jesse C. McMillan Florence D. McMillen David C. McNary Elizabeth J. McPherson Mary McPherson Howard W. Meider Jennie King Mellon Sara Mendelson Ethel E. Merkamp Louis A. Mertz Celia Mervis Willa Metz Elizabeth K. Metzger Bernard Meyer Helen R. Milar Annora S. Miller Charles S. Miller* Edith S. Miller Ella B. Miller Ida Mae Miller Francis B. Miller Mary Jane Miller* Mildred Miller* Samual H. Miller Torrence Miller Ernestine T. Moenius Jean Molchan Clara H. Moore Edna Gray Moore Thomas B. Moreland Pauline Morgan Ruth E. Morgan Catharine G. Morrow Edith B. Morse Carolyn Mortensen Margaret Irene Moser Jessie Movizzo Charlotte Murray Harry M. Murray Margaret C. Murray Wilfrid Murtland Nellie A. Myers Helen Donhoff Neely Mary F. Nelson Theodore Neppach Regina U. Nestor John Nesuta Rose Neuman Maxine Newcomer Emma Nickel Joseph Nicklin Mary C. Niebaum Ida J. Niemann Howard A. Noble William Norris Fulton Clark Noss Jane F. Novak Mary M. Oberlin Irene O’Brien Thomas J. O’Donnel Nelle M. Oliver J. Henry O’Neill Josephine T. O’Neill M. Oppenheimer Clara A. Opperman Rebecca J. Packer Christopher L. Painter Jacob Painter, Jr. Mary D. Parkhill Alex H. Patterson Jacob W. Paul Margaret S. Paul Helen Penn John P. Penny Virginia Peters George Pfeil Charles J. Phillips Myrtle C. Phillis Karl A. Pillow Titus G. Pope Henry Kirke Porter John Porterfield Emily Powell Amilia C. Proft James A. Quinn Helen M. Ragner John R. Ranson Dixie Walker Rea Frances Rea Elsie Rearick Flora E. Reeg Victor C. Reiber William R. Reichle Lois E. Reid Wilson H. Remmel Barbara Weinman Rickert Mary E. Rieck Earl H. Riefer Matilda A. Rieger Hilda S. Rieland Dorothy Roach* Alice E. Robertson Elizabeth R. Robinson Joseph G. Robinson Martha J. Robinson Glen K. Rodemoyer Marie Rohrer Lucille R. Roithner Samuel Marks Rose Charles J. Rosenbloom Freda Rosenblum Dorothy Peoples Ross Elizabeth Weaver Roth Charlotte Rubenstein Mary L. Rudolf Wilma Ruf Florence Rumbaugh Mildred Rupp Paul D. Sack Elizabeth Salzer Helen M. Santillo Minnie Sartoris Frank C. Sauer Loretta A. Sauer Miller C. Schafer William. E. Schafer Mary E. Schenley Irving Schiffman June Schiffman Fred Schiller Howard M. Schirra Ethel R. Schmidt Garnet B. Schmidt Irene M. Schmidt Ruth B. Schmidt Paul Schmitt Lucy Ames Schmitz Virginia Schomaker Mollie Schonfield Gretchen Schoonmaker James M. Schoonmaker Rebeka C. Schoonmaker William F. Schoonmaker Simon Schreiber Wilhelmine Schreiber Harry A. Schroedel Letty F. Schulga Paul G. Schultz Charles E. Schultz Charles H. Schultz Elizabeth F. Schwartz Paul H. Schweizer John B. Scott Joseph Scully Rose Marie Scully Issac Seder Margaret K. Seely Richard B. Seib Horace Luther Seifert Frank Sepic, Jr. Samuel Lloyd Shank Barbara Shirk Shaw John G. Sheafer Hyman Shear Jeanette B. Shear Helen E. Sheffel Joseph R. Shermer Rose Levitt Shermer William Sherwin Leo S. Shipkowski Harold G. Shirk Norma Jackson Shirk G. Albert Shoemaker Ida Mae Shoemaker Catherine Showers John Shubelka, Jr. Lena Sievwright Luella M. Simonton Ethel Seavey Simpson Pearl I. Simpson Meyer H. Sivitz Jean M. Slack Vera Slater Vera H. Slater Carol Sloan Louis M. Sloan Hilda E. Sloop Catherine M. Slowey Edwin A. Smith Esther Smith Frances L. Smith Marie R. Smith Mabel L. Smith Marion H. Smith William M. Smith William Metz Smith Mrs. George C. Sneathen Evelyn Carhart Snyder H. C. Snyder Mary Elise Snyder Carrie Haws Sobey Amelia Solomon Alberta L. Sowash Charles H. Spang Norman Spang Marjorie Spector George J. Stanley Martha S. Stanley Wilmer T. Starkey William Steele Viola Steelman Anna M. Steffler Christina F. Steibel Marie K. Steinecke Paula Steinmetz Mary A. Stenger Elizabeth B. Stephan Josephine A. Stephens Marguerite Stevenson Dolores Stewart Ruth Stewart Ambrose H. Stiffler Marie M. Stockdale Helen M. Stolzenbach Emily Stoops Ruth A. Stott George Strasser Mary Agnes Stuckey Bertha E. Succop Dorothy M. Suckling Rosalie T. Suess Grace Z. Sugerman Helen W. Sullivan Valerie Supuran Mary Crocker Sutton Mildred Sutton Olive E. Swank Gwen G. Swart Helene I. Tadowsky Charles L. Taylor Margaret F. Taylor William Thaw Pearl L. Thayer William G. Thiele* Vesta Thomas Hazel O. Thompson Hazel Van Buren Thompson Marie N. Thompson Oscar G. Tiedeman Mary Cushing Tiotus Elmer F. Toomey Mary R. D. Torrance Ernest Trent Matilda S. Trudal Mrs. Dagmar J. Turner Frances Turner Lillian W. Turner W. Alfred Turner Cora M. Tustin Anna C. Unverzaget Murmon T. Von Ordstrand Ella D. Vaughn Virginia D. Viverette Agnes Voelker Elizabeth M. Vogeley Helene B. Volkwein Wilhelmina Wagner Frances C. Walker Mary Elizabeth Walker Rheyna Miller Walker Forest F. Wallerstedt Lena Sisco Walter Elzey Thomas Walton Dorothy Washchyshak Marian Waugaman William Weil Joseph Weisbrod Edith E. Weitershausen Anna Welch Mary Wellington Ethel M. Wendell Peggy Lee Wentzel Elizabeth P. Wertz Lorine A. White Elizabeth C. Whitehall Florence B. Whitwell Daisy A. Wickham Jennie C. Widdman Sara Cancelliere Wiegand Myron P. Wiegand Jebba Dixon Wiggin Kathryn J. Wilcox Frederick W. Wiley Audrey E. Will Cora Hubbard Williams Joseph Williams Marie K. Williams David B. Wilson Mabel (Mary) R. Gorman Wilson Herman Windt Charles Winfield Hilda E. Winterling Anna C. Wise Marion S. Wissman Patricia Witherow Harry F. Wixfort Helen M. Woerner Helen Woerner Mary B. Wolff Betty Ann Wood Winifred Woods Grace Eisaman Wright Eugene S. Wyler John M. Yahres Laura Yost Helen Young Margaret Young Martha Young Olga Yurkovich Grace Zahnisger Hattie I. Ziegler Howard G. Ziegler Margaret I. Zimmerman Ange L. Zinkand Katherine M. Zinkil Raymond Zwolski Nora C. Zyde

A cumulative list of bequests from wills and estates. Denotes bequests which were received between July 1, 2010 & June 30, 2011.

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children is to be a leading institution for providing quality special education that foster maximum independence for children and young adults with visual impairment and multiple disabilities. Furthermore, the School’s Outreach efforts are designed to assist all western Pennsylvania youth with visual impairments to reach their full potential by delivering programs and services to them and their families.

Writer/Editor: Jillian Pritts Design: MarketSpace Communications Photography: Terry Clark Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children 201 North Bellefield Avenue | Pittsburgh, PA 15213-1499 | 412-621-0100 | www.wpsbc.org