Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis Wins Contract to Provide Disaster Response Emergency Supplies to U.S. Navy

ST. LOUIS, MO, October 11, 2012

The Lighthouse for the Blind-St. Louis, a not-for-profit manufacturing and packaging organization with a dedicated social service mission, has been awarded a contract to provide supplies for use by U.S. Navy Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) disaster response groups.

Under the contract awarded by the federal AbilityOne program, the Lighthouse will utilize employees who are blind in fulfillment operations to pack orders for many types of personal protective equipment and ship these essential supplies to more than 65 U.S. Navy sites around the world. The contract was awarded effective October 1, 2012. Financial terms are not disclosed.

John Thompson, president of the Lighthouse for the Blind-St. Louis, said, "This significant contract enables the Lighthouse and our employees to help serve disaster response missions of the U.S. Navy worldwide. We are extremely proud to have been chosen to fulfill this important contract."

Also known as LHB Industries, the Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that helps adults and children who are visually impaired maintain dignity and independence by offering Employment, Education and Support Services.

The Lighthouse currently employs nearly 70 people who are legally blind at its plants in the cities of Berkeley and Overland in St. Louis County. The Lighthouse and its employees manufacture, assemble, warehouse and sell high-quality products to government and business customers nationwide including first aid kits, medical kits, catheters, aerosol and liquid paints, aerosol and liquid cleaning products, eco-friendly products and many others.
All sales revenues directly support Lighthouse programs including Professional Career Development; Special Technology and Adaptive Resources for Students (STARS); Summer Jobs for Students; Continuing Education; Arts & Entertainment Accessibility; Low Vision Aid; and additional programs available for individuals who are legally blind and visually impaired in Missouri and Southwestern Illinois.

The AbilityOne program is a federal initiative to help people who are blind and disabled find employment through nonprofit agencies that sell products and services to the U.S. government. AbilityOne 's SKILCRAFT brand is recognized by 95 percent of federal government purchasers. The program is endorsed by the National Industries for the Blind (NIB), which operates under the AbilityOne program.

For information about the Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis, contact Brittney Smithers, Marketing & Sales Specialist, at toll-free 800.542.3697, or 314.423.4333, or visit the website http://www.lhbindustries.com. Media contact: Jeff Dunlap at 314.993.6925.

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