- Christian Record Services for the Blind
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Christian Record Services for the Blind (CRSB) is a non-profit organization designed to benefit the blind and visually impaired.[1][2] "Christian Record Services for the Blind is an international organization serving blind and visually impaired individuals in approximately 80 countries worldwide and employs about 160 people throughout the United States and Canada."[2][3]
Contents
Location
International Headquarters
Christian Record Services for the Blind
4444 S. 52nd St.
Lincoln, NE 68516History
Christian Record Services for the Blind (CRSB) was founded in 1899 by Austin Orlando Wilson.[4] Wilson, who was blinded by a tragic accident earlier in life, was disappointed that there was not more material available for the blind and undertook making material of his own. The first 75 issues of the Christian Record were produced using a washing machine hand wringer for a printing press.[4]
In 1900, a yearly subscription to Christian Record cost $1.50.[5] This fee was eliminated in 1912[5] and Christian Record, along with a host of other publications, is now provided free of charge.
December 30, 1902, CRSB headquarters in Battle Creek, Michigan were burned to the ground. Fortunately, there were no casualties. However, an estimated $300,000 in damages was incurred by CRSB and the section housing its equipment and supplies.[6]
Christian Record Services for the Blind moved to a temporary location provided by one of its sister institutions, Union College (Nebraska) in 1904.[5] CRSB had several temporary locations from 1904 to 1912. May 28, 1912, CRS purchased a building across the street from Union College (Nebraska) for $2,700. This would be CRSB's headquarters until 1936 when they would move their headquarters to South 48th and Bancroft streets in Lincoln.[5]
In 1933-34, CRSB had an exhibit at the World's Fair in Chicago, Illinois.
June 24–28, 1963, CRSB workers moved into their spacious new headquarters at 52nd and Linden streets. The new headquarters boasted 27,800 in square footage and cost an estimated $387,000. At CRSB's open house on October 7, then Nebraska state governor Frank B. Morrison gave the opening remarks. Also in attendance were Robert S. Bray, Chief of the Division for the Blind, Library of Congress, and former Nebraska Senator, Carl T. Curtis.[5]
In 1967, CRSB opened the first ever summer camp for the blind at Kulaqua in High Springs, Florida with 23 youth.[4][7] Over 48,000 individuals have attended CRSB's blind camps across North America since their inception.[8][9]
March 26, 1969, former first lady Patricia Nixon accepts an invitation by former Nebraska senator Carl T. Curtis to join Christian Record's advisory board.[10]
In 1970, CRSB started putting its books onto audio cassette tapes.
September 2010, CRSB was awarded the Lincoln Nebraska Integrity Award [11] by the Better Business Bureau.
July 2011, CRSB started releasing its audio books on cartridges specially designed by the National Library Service for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Lending Library
Christian Record Services lending library contains more than 2,000 volumes in Braille and audiocassette free of charge for the blind and visually impaired.[2][12]
Magazine Subscriptions
Christian Record Services offers free large-print and Braille inspirational magazines. Among magazines offered are: Lifeglow (bi-monthly large-print magazine for adults, circulation 12,228), The Children's Friend (quarterly Braille magazine for children 9-12, circulation 1,116), The Student (weekly Bible lessons, circulation unknown), Amazing Facts Bible Correspondence Course (circulation unknown), and Christian Record.[13]
Full-Vision BooksTM
Full-vision books are books that both sighted children and blind parents can read, or vice-versa. Transparent plastic sheets with Braille dots printed on them accompany large-print text. Sighted parents can teach their children to read, or sighted children can read the print while mom or dad reads the Braille portion of the page.[14]
Scholarships
The CRSB scholarship program gives 10 blind students scholarships of $500 per individual for each school year.[15] Due to turbulent economic situations, Christian Record is not offering any scholarships for the 2009-2010 school year.[16]
Visitation Services
Christian Record Services for the Blind field representatives make over 10,000 visits to blind individuals homes each year.[8] Representatives get acquainted with the blind, help them to order free reading material, and encourage them to attend CRSB's summer and winter camping programs. CRSB employs 46 representatives and directors across North America.[17]
References
- ^ http://www.visionaware.org/find_religious_products
- ^ a b http://www.christianrecord.org/aboutus/index.php
- ^ http://www.visionaware.org/ne_nevada_vision_services
- ^ a b c http://www.christianrecord.org/aboutus/history.php
- ^ a b c d e Treolo, John . Christian Record: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. 1985.
- ^ Treolo, John. Christian Record: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. 1985.
- ^ http://www.blindcamps.org
- ^ a b Better Business Bureau http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/toc/christian-record-services-for-the-blind-in-lincoln-ne-487#charPrograms
- ^ [1]
- ^ Lincoln Foundation
- ^ http://nebraska.bbb.org/article/better-business-bureau-honors-lincolns-2010-integrity-award-winners-22490
- ^ http://services.christianrecord.org
- ^ CRSB Headquarters Library
- ^ http://services.christianrecord.org/fullvis.php
- ^ http://www.neads.ca/en/norc/funding/page40.php
- ^ http://services.christianrecord.org/scholarships/index.php
- ^ Internal CRSB document. Call (402) 488-0981 for confirmation.
Categories:- Non-profit organizations
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