Circuit Board Tribute and Memorial Fund

Are you looking for a way to recognize someone’s outstanding volunteer efforts, commemorate a special day, or celebrate the life and memory of a deceased loved one or friend? Minds Eye Information Service has created the Circuit Board Tribute & Memorial Fund to do just that – recognize a special achievement or event in someone’s life or to keep a loved one’s spirit alive by inviting contributions in their name to enhance our programs and services to the blind and print impaired.

How does it work?

If you have ever taken the back off of your radio, you’ve seen the one piece of equipment that ties everything together– the circuit board.

The circuit board by itself is useless – what it does do is serve as the foundation for all of the components to receive and transmit power – just like your generous contribution enables Minds Eye to transmit important information to close to 1,000 listeners in their own homes and 10,000 listeners in local nursing homes, retirement centers and hospitals.

We have installed a large memorial circuit board at the station. Your contribution of $46.43 or more in honor or memory of someone will be recognized by placing a capacitor on the circuit board with the name of the individual being honored or remembered. The more capacitors on the circuit board, the stronger our power to serve others.

To recognize the achievements of one of our volunteers, commemorate a special occasion, or to celebrate the life of a deceased loved one, please fill out and mail the enclosed envelope to Minds Eye Information Service, 9541 Church Circle Drive, Belleville, IL 62223.

A special acknowledgement card will be sent to the individual being honored or the family of deceased.

Leave a Legacy,
Build a Legacy

Minds Eye Information Service is 35 years old! On March 1, 1973, our first radio transmission was broadcast over the airwaves to blind and print disabled individuals in the greater St. Louis area. Little did our founder, Fr. Boniface Wittenbrink, O.M.I., know that his ministry would evolve into a station that has received international acclaim for broadcast excellence.

In an effort to ensure that Minds Eye Information Service can continue to provide the highest caliber of news broadcasting and widest variety of informational programming to our listeners for future generations, you are invited to join the Fr. Boniface
Wittenbrink Legacy Society.

To become a member of the Legacy Society, simply notify Minds Eye by calling 618-394-6221 or 314-241-3400, Ext. 6221 and let us know that you have remembered Minds Eye Information Service in your estate plans. Members of the Legacy Society are recognized on a plaque in our station and in our annual report. In addition, members are invited to special events as well as an annual recognition dinner.

For more information about the Fr. Boniface Wittenbrink Legacy Society, please contact the Donor Development Specialist at
618-394-6221 or 314-241-3400, Ext. 6221.

With life expectancy figures continuing to climb, managing eye disease is essential for people to maintain a high quality of life. By performing a
comprehensive eye exam, a doctor of optometry can successfully detect the diseases listed below and treat them in conjunction with other health care providers.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD),
the leading cause of blindness in the United States, is caused by deterioration of certain cells in the macula, a portion of the retina located at the back of the eye that is responsible for clear sharp vision. Symptoms: A painless and gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly, distorted vision, a gradual loss of color vision and a dark or empty area appearing in the center of vision.

Good News: While no treatment is available for this condition, vitamin supplements with high doses of antioxidants, lutein, and zeaxanthin have been demonstrated by the National Eye Institute and others to slow the progression of dry macular degeneration and in some patients, improve visual acuity.

Cataracts, caused by chemical changes in the lens, will cloud all or part of the normally clear lens within the eye. Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss.

Symptoms: Blurred or hazy vision; appearance of spots in front of the eyes; increased sensitivity to glare or the feeling of having a film over eyes.

Good News: More than 95 percent of people who have cataracts removed end up with better vision.

Diabetic Retinopathy can weaken and cause changes in the small blood vessels that nourish the eyes of people with diabetes.

Symptoms: Early stages of diabetic retinopathy may cause blurred vision or may produce no visual symptoms at all. As the disease progresses, individuals may experience cloudiness of vision, blind spots, or floaters.

Good News: Early diagnosis and timely treatment have proven to prevent vision loss in more than 90 percent of patients. However, an estimated 50 percent of patients are diagnosed too late for effective treatment.

Glaucoma is the result of a build-up of pressure in the eye, resulting in damage to the nerve fibers, optic nerve, and blood vessels in the eye.

Symptoms: The most common type of glaucoma develops without symptoms gradually and painlessly. A rare form occurs rapidly and its symptoms may include blurred vision, loss of side vision, seeing colored rings around lights and pain or redness in the eyes.

Good News: If detected early, glaucoma can be controlled. However, at least half of the people who have glaucoma are not receiving treatment because they are unaware of their condition. If glaucoma is not detected, it can lead to permanent vision loss.

(Permission to reprint from the American Optometric Association)

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