RFB&D New Jersey Unit: Volunteer Recognition Luncheon 2007 (text)

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Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic
New Jersey Unit
69 Mapleton Road
Princeton, New Jersey 08540
Phone 609-750-1830
Fax 609-750-9653

Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
September 27, 2007

Phyllis Branin of Lawrenceville, Jean Gunkel, Mana Bhatt and Karen Frezza of Princeton Junction , Dot Messineo of Skillman and Susan Kaplan of East Brunswick were honored as Volunteers of the Year by the New Jersey Unit of Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D). The presentation was made at the unit's Volunteer Recognition Luncheon held at Queenship of Mary Catholic Church in Plainsboro on Thursday, September 27.

Branin has volunteered with RFB&D since 1973, recording Chemistry and other science texts, as well as helping prepare books to be recorded and directing recording sessions. Before retiring she was a chemical engineer for RCA. She donated 449 hours of her time and talent during the past year.

Gunkel is retired from the West Windsor-Plainsboro School District where she taught fourth grade for 20 years. She has volunteered with RFB&D since 1994, recording mostly literature and grammar texts used by primary and middle school students. She volunteered 311 hours in during the past year and has also been part of several special projects for the national organization.

Bhatt was honored for her contributions to the unit's financial development efforts. She helped implement new databases and done extensive research to make it easier for the unit apply for grants from corporations and foundations as well as recording Economics texts in the unit's recording studio. Bhatt will soon be pursuing an MBA at either Harvard Business School or Wharton.

Frezza has volunteered with the New Jersey Unit since 1995 and reads, directs other volunteer readers and helps prepare books to be recorded. She coordinates many projects, including several for the unit's celebration of its 50th anniversary. In the past year, she donated well over 100 hours of her time and talent.

Messineo is retired from the Montgomery School District where she was an elementary school librarian. She began volunteering with RFB&D in 1984 where she reads, directs other readers, helps train new volunteers, prepares books to be recorded and assists with special events. In the past year, Messineo volunteered 419 hours.

Kaplan was honored for her work with the unit's Educational Outreach Center which is responsible for providing accessible textbooks and teacher training in more than 400 schools throughout the state.

Bob Kolker was given the Newcomer's Award for his infectious enthusiasm.

RFB&D is the nation's educational library serving those people who cannot effectively read standard print because of visual impairment, dyslexia or other physical disability. Its mission is to create opportunities for individual success by providing and promoting the effective use of accessible educational materials.

The New Jersey Unit of RFB&D is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2007. In 1957, Alma Rotnem recruited a committee of "21 prominent Princetonians" and began recording in space donated by the Princeton Theological Seminary. Since then, the New Jersey Unit has grown and now employs the talents of nearly 400 volunteers who record educational material and help its Educational Outreach Center provide services for schools throughout the Garden State.

Since 2003, the unit has made its home on the campus of St. Joseph's Seminary on Mapleton Road in Plainsboro. For more information about the New Jersey Unit of RFB&D, call 609-750-1830 or visit www.rfbdnj.org.

Volunteer Luncheon 2006

Volunteer Luncheon 2005

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