CABVI recognizes Customer of the Year, community hero

The Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) recognized SUNY Upstate Medical University on Monday, June 5, for being a loyal customer of the organization’s Central Industries manufacturing division, which provides products and services through its Preferred Source and Ability One programs.

The medical center received the Customer of the Year Award during a 2 p.m. ceremony at the CABVI Syracuse facility located at 6050 Court Street Road.

SUNY Upstate has been a supporter of CABVI for more than 25 years by continuing to purchase the organization’s BetterTouch brand of nitrile examination gloves, as well as specimen bags.

Through their partnership, CABVI was also able to provide the much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) to SUNY Upstate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Because o f SUNY’s ongoing business with CABVI, we were able to support their PPE needs, specifically exam gloves, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Katie Eddy, vice president of products and distribution at CABVI. “SUNY never went without exam gloves during this time, when other facilities struggled to procure quality products at a fair price. Additionally, CABVI offered to warehouse PPE safety stock at no charge to SUNY.”

Gary Mark, a purchasing associate at SUNY Upstate, was also honored with the Community Hero Award for continuously choosing CABVI as a supplier.

“Gary Mark is helping to change lives through his commitment of procuring products through Preferred Source,” said Eddy. “CABVI has been able to create meaningful jobs, provide vision health and wellness services, and upward mobility training and job opportunities.”

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon was also at the awards ceremony and took a tour of CABVI’s Syracuse facility.

At the ceremony, McMahon spoke about the challenges companies face when it comes to workforce development.

“It’s hard to find great employees, and one of the ways that you can do it is through the power of procurement,” McMahon said. “That’s what SUNY Upstate’s doing, that’s what we’re doing here in the county, when you look at our buying power and how can we use that buying power to help create jobs locally. So, we’re happy to be partners and we’re proud of the work that you [CABVI] do. And we’re proud that you’re here and you’re growing, and we can look forward to a partnership for years to come as well.”

The Central Industries division at CABVI employs nearly 150 people and more than half of them are blind or visually impaired.

“SUNY’s longtime support has been pivotal to CABVI’s expanded employment of people who are blind or visually impaired in the Syracuse area,” Eddy added. “Our relationship is all about community care, and by supporting each other, we are able to strengthen our missions jointly for a better tomorrow.”

The revenue from CABVI product sales goes directly back into the organization’s mission to assist people who are blind or visually impaired with achieving their highest level of independence.