HOME COMMUNITY NEWS INSIDE THE INNOVATION EVENTS INSTALLATION GUIDE ARCHIVE CONTACT US NOVEMBER 24, 2021 Garrison leadership tours BISM March 29, 2021 Rachel Ponder, APG News Community News (From left) Blind Industries and Services of Maryland President Fred Puente shows APG Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Ruth Drewitt and APG Garrison Commander Col. Timothy Druell a machine for ruling paper during a visit to BISM’s Baltimore headquarters March 18. |Photo by Rob Ennamorato, BISM BALTIMORE – Aberdeen Proving Ground Garrison leadership received a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the operation of the Blind Industries and Services of Maryland’s Baltimore headquarters, March 18. APG Garrison Commander Col. Timothy Druell, Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Ruth Drewitt and Director of Operations Bruce Griggs and Garrison Chief of Public Affairs Quentin Johnson toured the Blind Industries and Services of Maryland’s Baltimore headquarters. BISM, a non-profit company, provides career opportunities, rehabilitation and training to blind adults. BISM currently owns and operates seven AbilityOne Base Supply Centers on military installations, including APG. The AbilityOne Base Supply Center, or BSC, sells a wide range of SKILCRAFT office supplies, made by blind and disabled Americans. The AbilityOne Program is the largest single source of jobs for people who are blind or have significant disabilities in the U.S. “Life-changing” opportunities BISM President Fred Puente said the non-profit company helps blind individuals gain independence. People who are blind or have significant disabilities are the largest untapped labor force in the United States. Nearly 70% of these individuals do not have jobs, he said. According to Puente, BISM aims to change what it means to be blind. “[The training they receive here] is life-changing stuff for people,” he said. “[By supporting this] program you let people do things they never thought were possible. We have jobs that have been created because of what you do, that allow people to achieve the American dream.” Tour During the tour, leadership saw the rehabilitation program where blind individuals learn life skills to grow personally, professionally and develop confidence. Instructors teach everything from Braille to cane travel, computer technology, woodworking, cleaning and cooking. The nine-month residential program can serve 16 individuals at one time. “We give people the skills to do what they want to do,” Puente said. Ken Barnett, BISM vice president of sales and marketing, said without the BSCs, state sales and federal government customers, BISM would not be able to provide rehabilitation to blind individuals. Leadership also walked through the manufacturing division and saw the production of notebooks, cleaning supplies, military uniforms and water bottle labels. BISM is a diverse manufacturing company that produces more than 700 products, including military uniforms, cleaning supplies, paper pads and custom labeled bottled water. Druell said he is looking forward to continuing the partnership with BISM. (From left) APG Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Ruth Drewitt and Garrison Commander Col. Timothy Druell discuss the blind rehabilitation program with Braille instructor Jennifer Bopp during a tour at the Blind Industries and Services of Maryland’s Baltimore headquarters March 18. |Photo by Rob Ennamorato, BISM “Your time is valuable, and for you to take your time as the president of the company, it is truly remarkable,” Druell said. “Nothing is more important to me than sharing what the folks here do,” Puente said. Drewitt called the facility “amazing.” “Our mission is to support your mission, and in turn, you help us to support our mission,” said Shawn Savage, director of BSC operations. Savage said military support is critical to the success of BISM. Upcoming consolidation at APG The APG South (Edgewood) AbilityOne BSC and the APG North (Aberdeen) AbilityOne BSC are in the process of consolidating into a single APG AbilityOne BSC. Quynh Budzynski, AbilityOne BSC business development and marketing manager said there would be no interruption to the products and services customers are currently receiving. The transition is slated to be completed by June 30. From left) Anthony Shields, a guillotine machine operator, loads paper onto a pallets, while APG Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Ruth Drewitt looks on during a visit to the Blind Industries and Services of Maryland’s Baltimore headquarters March 18. |Photo by Rob Ennamorato, BISM “BISM remains dedicated and committed to providing “world-class” service and customer support,” Budzynski said. “They continue to serve with the principle ‘We Care for Our Customers’ and when one visits the center, you will see the same familiar faces and receive the same exceptional service you have come to expect.” For more information and orders To learn more about BISM, visit https://www.bism.org/. For more information about the upcoming BSC consolidation, read https://apgnews.com/community-news/abilityone-base-supply-centers-to-consolidate-to-one-center/. For orders, contact co-manager Sanela Hotic at 410-676-0564 or shotic@bism.org, or co-manager Barry Councill at 410-297-4950 or bcouncill@bism.org. For quotes or orders for APG South, contact edgewoodbscorders@bism.org. 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