Lighthouse Happenings

Becky Laureano, from San Antonio Lighthouse Ft. Hood Base Service Store, attended the 94th Annual Lions Club International Convention in Seattle. Becky was honored by her local chapter in Killeen as Lion of the Year for 2010-2011 for all of her support. Becky is 2nd VP of the Club and represented her club in Seattle.

The first picture is of Lions Club International President for 2011-2012, Dr. Tam from China, posing with Becky in Seattle (not everyone got to take pictures with Dr. Tam). The second picture is Becky being honored at the Killeen Lions Club. What an asset Becky is to the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind

Mike Gilliam visits with Congressman Charlie Gonzales to honor the Congressman as an AbilityOne Champion by San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind!
Congressman Charlie Gonzales is honored today for his continued support of the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind AblityOne program. The AbilityOne program is a Federal initiative to help people who are blind or have significant disabilities fins employment by working within a national network of over 600 Nonprofit Agencies that sell products and services to the U.S. government.

The San Antonio Lighthouse provides employment opportunities to people who are blind, while delivering high-quality products and services to federal and military customers.

Mike Gilliam visits with Congressman Charlie Gonzales to honor the Congressman as an AbilityOne Champion by San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind!
Congressman Charlie Gonzales is honored today for his continued support of the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind AblityOne program. The AbilityOne program is a Federal initiative to help people who are blind or have significant disabilities fins employment by working within a national network of over 600 Nonprofit Agencies that sell products and services to the U.S. government.

The San Antonio Lighthouse provides employment opportunities to people who are blind, while delivering high-quality products and services to federal and military customers.

Yesterday San Antonio Lighthouse employees Becky Laureano, Deborah Durham, Virginia Rojas and Karen Maitlen participated in the semi-annual Hood Howdy.
Hood Howdy provides an abundance of information pertaining to local programs, activities; and over 100 businesses, to include the local Chamber of Commerce, Housing, emergency services, commissary, medical services and recreation were present to help families transition into their new environment. There were over 1000 vendors who participated. Hood Howdy is one of the highest attended events on Fort Hood.
Estimated attendance was 20,000.

VALERO ENERGY FOUNDATION PRESENTS FIRST $100,000 CHECK OF $500,000 PLEDGE TO SAN ANTONIO LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND--

The $500,000 gift from the Valero Energy Foundation is to be applied towards a $3.5 million capital campaign for the construction of a 60,000 square foot multi-purpose facility. The approximately $7 million building will provide for additional services and manufacturing operations for blind and visually-impaired children and adults. Construction is expected to be completed in 2012.

The Lighthouse will provide $3.5 million with internally-generated revenue and will appeal to the private-sector and local foundations for the remaining $3.5 million goal.

“This incredible gift from Valero, to be given out over the next five years, will go towards housing for the expansion of Rehabilitation Services and manufacturing operations. This expansion represents the first and last capital campaign in the 78 year history of the San Antonio Lighthouse and positions it to be self-sustaining, expand rehabilitation services, establish programs for blind youth, generate jobs for people who are blind, increase economic impact on the San Antonio community and improve the overall quality of life for many who are legally blind in Bexar County” stated Mike Gilliam, CEO and President, San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind.

“Valero is a longtime supporter of the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind, and is happy to be a part of this very worthwhile capital campaign,” said Bill Klesse, Chairman, CEO and President of Valero Energy Corporation. “This expansion will allow the Lighthouse to create more jobs for people who are hard working but need an opportunity.”

School to Work Transition Program
The students worked very hard during the five weeks Summer Work Skills Program this year. This program prepares graduates or soon to be graduates with the necessary job seeking skills training, as well as a little fun thrown in with guest speakers, field trips, talent shows and more.
Awards were given for best interview skills, team player and of course most talent. This year the kids that took part of the program were sad that the program reached its close.
Graduation Days, was a huge success with a packed room of Staff, Parents, and excited Students. We wish them a great rest of the summer!

Students from the Summer Work Skills Program are preparing for graduation this Friday the 15th after attending the 5 week program that prepares graduates or soon to be graduates with job seeking skills and training. They have been working so hard these past weeks; they took a break to have a class talent show. There are some very talented students in this summer’s program!!!!

Each quarter we honor and recognize those employees who have faithfully been with the Lighthouse and present them with an award.

Just another example of what a great place the San Antonio Lighthouse is to work and be a part of we had the following list of employee’s all with 5 years of service:

Beatrice Cantu
Diana Cantu
Eva Chapa
William Green
Andres Lopez
Candelaria Murillo
Armando Salinas
Roslyn Vogel
Arthur Zuniga
Dennis Lyssy


It is with great pleasure to recognize the following employees that have over 10 years of service as an employee of the San Antonio Lighthouse.
Mary Cuellar Robbie Maksomboon

Not the employees at the San Antonio Lighthouse!! We ended our June General Assembly and Dedication Ceremony with a Chicken Wing eating contest. Over 17 entrants awaited the delicious honey barbequed wings from WingZone. As always it was a “Hot Happening” time at the San Antonio Lighthouse.
Joining the Lighthouse family during this event was an unexpected last minute contender, Jessica Rosenfield, who was brave enough to join in on the fun, and what a great sport she was…..coming in at 10 wings.

Even our fearless leader Mike Gilliam was feeling the heat in the final moments… In the end we had a tie – and the two competitors had to do a show down to be the winner - Khanh Le finally took the title with 29 wings with Delia finishing a close second with 28.

On Thursday June 30th the San Antonio Lighthouse held a dedication/celebration for the generous donation of an outdoor kitchen to the employee garden and picnic area. Many thanks to the Rosenfield family for the wonderful addition to our facility in memory of Gregg’s Mom, Helen Rosenfield. The Rosenfield’s have been great friends to the San Antonio Lighthouse in the past and donated the garden and pond by the Senior Center. The entire family was present for the dedication ceremony and unveiling of the kitchen. The kitchen will be a source of great fun and enjoyment for years to come.

On Thursday, May 19, 2011 the 1st Annual Art in the Dark was held and a was a huge success – the premise – 33 fabulous artists donated their works which were covered so no one could see. Most of the artists were in attendance and described the art under the draped cloths. You could touch and feel but no “peeking”. Guests then bid on the art. All 33 pieces sold – the evening also consisted of live entertainment by our blind employees William who has a fabulous voice and plays guitar as well as Art who plays a mean harmonica. There was wonderful food, wine, beer and dessert provided by WingZone, R K Group, Ye Kendall Inn, Amorcito's, Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch, Gigi’s amazing cCupcakes and Cathy’s Sweets with a selection of chocolate truffles that were to die for. Gambrinus provided Shiner beer and Republic National Distributors the wine. The buzz was in the air about next year’s event before the night was even over. If you missed this one – catch us at the 2nd Annual Art in the Dark.

The School to Work Transition program has been hard at work this Spring planting, watering, caring for their garden. All their hard work has begun to pay off, they've seen the fruits of their labor, are having fun and learning in the process...what could be better than that?

more happenings on Ft. Hood for Earth Fest 2011

On Friday, April 29, 2011 the largest Earth Fest event in the Army took place on Ft. Hood. The mantra…. come out with your friends and family and learn more about how you can help the green Army stay green.

The event was for children, families and Soldiers – a huge circus-type tent was erected outside on the field. More than 50 different exhibits were on display recycling, renewable energy resources, endangered species, natural resources, water conservation, and other environmental topics.

The SALB Ft. Hood Store was asked to participate as an Exhibitor and showcase "Green" AbilityOne products and educate youth on the amazing abilities of blind and disabled employees. They had an area where the children could experience walking with a cane and a station where they could reassemble pens while blindfolded. The store fashioned glasses with different types of eye diseases so the children could experience vision impairments first-hand.
This was a wonderful opportunity for the Ft. Hood SALB team to interact with the public and for the children to ask blind employees questions. 1500 children came through the booth and over 15,000 were in attendance.

From head shaving to Karaoke – there is never a dull moment at the San Antonio Lighthouse - Every year at the SALB Annual Manager’s meeting in San Antonio (including all Base Store Managers) we have a team building exercise – last year we voted that the April, 2011 meeting would be Karaoke – The rules: Pick a group from the 60/70’s – sing their song and of course dress as they did. And mum’s the word – Each team, and there were seven, were unaware what the others were doing. An amazing feat unto itself! Everyone from the Partridge Family to Elvis and Kiss showed up ready to rock the house.
The attached pictures say it all! Who knows what next year will bring – knowing Mike Gilliam, our CEO, maybe we will all climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Employees enjoy festivities at Fajita Fiesta 2011!

Food, Fun & Games were enjoyed by all this year at the Fajita Fiesta 2011!

Going, Going......Gone! CEO Mike Gilliam & Employee of the Year Daniel Patton.

Six years ago Mike Gilliam took over the helm of the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind (SALB) and he made a promise to the employees…..now it was time to “pay-up”.

He promised the employees if everyone worked hard together as a team the SALB would come through this difficult time and pay-off a 13 million dollar debt to the Federal Government – and when they did he would shave off all of his hair. Well today was the day – the debt was satisfied – and on Thursday, April 14 at the SALB Annual Fajita Fiesta Party employees gathered around and started shaving.