From the President of the Board

Imagine if you had to live in a room for one day, completely shut off from the world; oh, and by the way, the room was perfectly dark. That is not a position any of us would want to face, but, unfortunately for the blind and visually impaired members of our communities, that is a description of their life; and not just for one day, but every day.

For members of this group, it is not the lack of sight that separates them from others; they have amazingly learned ways to overcome the functional limitations of their handicap. It is the lack of informational connection to the world that makes them feel most isolated. They cannot simply pick up a newspaper or magazine and casually browse for themselves whatever articles or advertisements they want to read. They cannot just grab a good book and immerse themselves in a thrilling story on a rainy afternoon or a quiet night. They are completely dependant upon whatever audio options are made available to them in order to receive the same news and information those of us who can read printed material, so easily take for granted.

For over twenty-six years, with the help of hundreds of volunteers, Triangle Radio Reading Service has been making a difference in the lives of the blind and print impaired community, with round the clock broadcasting of news and information programming. While we may read newspapers, magazines, and novels, our real mission is to help connect our listeners to the world around them so that they can take their rightful place in the community. Without the services of TRRS, many would simply retreat to a life of solitude and remain withdrawn in the familiar surroundings of their homes.

During the economic downturn of the past year, many reading services have been forced to close their doors due to an inability to raise sufficient donations to fund their operating expenses. While TRRS has not yet reached the end or its rope, during the past year, we have had to draw from our rainy day fund on a regular basis just to pay everyday bills. If we are going to continue to meet the needs of our listeners, we must increase our regular intake of donations to sufficiently cover our modest operating budget.

If you catch a glimpse of the important work we are doing here at TRRS, we invite you to become a part of this great organization. We are always looking for readers, but we are also looking for leaders with vision and dedication to help drive some of our newly formed committees. We need workers too, who are happy to be a part and contribute in any way we are able to use them. Contact our office about volunteer opportunities that match your interests and expertise.

Most of all, we also need your financial support. Any donation you or your company makes will be put to good use, and may make the difference in us providing another day’s programming. Many small donations soon add up, if enough people participate. If we are unable to operate for even one day, due to lack of funds, the negative impact to the lives of our audience would be immediate. With your help, we can make TRRS as financially strong as the wealth of human talent that helps to shape the personality of this great organization.

Thank you for your support and interest in Triangle Radio Reading Service. We look forward to working with you.

Richard Dunnagan
President, Board of Directors