Servmart Base Supply Center Holds Anniversary Event

Cherry Point, North Carolina location proud of service to community.

CHERRY POINT, N.C., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Since 2007, the employees at Servmart Base Supply Center (BSC) at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point have been providing on-base mission critical support and outfitting the servicemen and women stationed there.  Today, these employees, and Eastern Carolina Vocational Centers (ECVC), reached out to thank the community at Cherry Point for their support and to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center program.  

U.S. Representative G.K. Butterfield (D-NC-01) praised the work of the AbilityOne Program and the Servmart BSC in a statement released to National Industries for the Blind.  

“The workers who are blind at the Servmart at Cherry Point are an example to us all of what is possible,” said Butterfield.  “These are hard-working folks who proudly support our servicemen and women in their need-it-now environment.  I am proud of the work they do, and of all the workers who are blind in the AblitiyOne Base Supply Center Program.”

U.S. Senators Kay Hagan (D-NC) and Richard Burr (R-NC) also had words of praise for the employees of the Servmart BSC and the AbilityOne program.

"I want to congratulate all of the employees at the ECVC Servmart Base Supply Center for providing more than three years of exceptional service to the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point," Hagan wrote in a congratulatory letter.

"I congratulate the AbilityOne Base Supply Centers on their 15th anniversary of operation. I am proud that the first AbilityOne Base Supply Center opened in my home state of North Carolina," Burr said in a statement to NIB. "The AbilityOne program and the AbilityOne Base Supply Centers are to be commended for their dedication, commitment, and success in eliminating barriers to employment and independence for individuals who are blind or severely disabled."

There are 140 AbilityOne BSC facilities located at federal and military installations throughout the United States that provide employment to 300 Americans who are blind or severely disabled.  More than 40,000 blind or disabled people are employed through the sale of products and services through the AbilityOne Program.  

"Servmart supports the mission and the service men and women of Cherry Point.  It also supports the livelihood of the men and women who, through civilian service support our military," said Claudia "Scottie" Knott, NIB Chief Operating Officer. "Servmart and NIB personnel are proud to be included in supporting America's Armed Forces."

Also attending today's event were Col. Douglas Denn, Commanding Officer, MCAS Cherry Point, Dennis Fields, NISH COO, Lou Bartalot, President's Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, Daneel le Roux, ECVC CEO and James Dupree, ECVC Board Chairman.

"For years, ECVC has been providing employment opportunities for people who are blind or severely disabled," said Bob Jones, ECVC President.  "We are very proud to offer quality, value and convenience to our servicemen and women."

About National Industries for the Blind

NIB's (www.NIB.org) mission is to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment.  NIB and 89 associated agencies serve as the largest employer for people who are blind by the sale of SKILCRAFT® products and services through the AbilityOne Program, established by the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act.

SOURCE National Industries for the Blind