Friends of Hadley Honored With Service Award

Winnetka, IL? The Friends of Hadley, a volunteer organization that supports The Hadley School 
for the Blind, received the American Council of the Blind’s prestigious James R. Olsen 
Distinguished Service Award on July 10 in Jacksonville, FL.

Since their inception in the 1970s, the Friends have quietly gone about their goal of helping 
Hadley students on an individual basis. The majority of the group has known each other since the 
organization began and together they have opened up their hearts and provided support to those in 
need. 

“What is most impressive of all, they go about their business without any fanfare, pomp or 
circumstance, no fund-raisers or special events, but with a personal commitment from each 
member to assist a student in need or address a special cause,” said Tom Tobin, Hadley Vice 
President of Development and Communications. “This kind of selfless giving and sincere altruism 
is not only remarkable, but indeed commendable.” 

“The Friends of Hadley have opened their hearts to make a difference to our students, one at a 
time,” said Charles Young, President of The Hadley School for the Blind. “They know the story 
behind each of their gifts, and they feel a bond with each and every student they have helped for 
the past 30 years.”

Recently in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Hadley student Lisa Batist-Mayfield was 
devastated to find herself without a home, personal belongings and most importantly the computer 
equipment she needed to continue her employment. When The Friends of Hadley heard about 
Lisa’s losses, each member wrote a check toward the purchase of a new computer, monitor and 
adaptive software so she could return to work.

“The school feels like a family,” says Patti Willian, Friends’ founding member and chairman. “We 
want to keep being a part of it, even if we don’t do fundraisers. Our goal has always been to ask, 
‘What do you need?’ and then ask our members to donate toward the cause.”

The James R. Olsen Distinguished Service Award recognizes people or organizations who have 
demonstrated service to others. The award was first offered in 1997. In 2005 it was renamed after 
the late James R. Olsen, chief financial officer for the American Council of the Blind for almost 
30 years. He died of diabetes at age 62.