On Tuesday, May 12, the Austin Lighthouse for the Blind shipped its 3 millionth bottle of Purell since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This significant accomplishment was acknowledged with a surprise celebration for employees at the Austin Lighthouse’s warehouse (maintaining strict social distancing and safety measures, of course). WorkQuest celebrated with the Austin Lighthouse as it was recognized for its good work by the National Industries for the Blind and the Texas Workforce Commission.
“This is an incredible milestone for all Austin Lighthouse employees,” Fred Weber, Jr., president and CEO of WorkQuest, said. “The Austin Lighthouse for the Blind has been one of our Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP) partners for more than 40 years.”
The Austin Lighthouse has been serving the needs of the blind and visually impaired of Travis County and surrounding areas since 1934. To help it meet the employment needs of the blind and visually impaired community and provide opportunities for economic and personal independence, WorkQuest facilitates product and service contracts with governmental purchasing agencies through the State Use WorksWonders Program. Austin Lighthouse employees manufacture a variety of products, including Purell, which has been increased in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
WorkQuest is proud of the Austin Lighthouse for answering the call to combat COVID-19 by increasing production and shipping lines, tripling employee counts on those lines, hiring 20 additional temporary workers and investing more than $100,000 in additional equipment at its facilities. This commitment to employee job security in a time of great uncertainty and to using the tools they have to make a difference is part of what makes the Austin Lighthouse a standout CRP, partner and place of work.
Congratulations to the Austin Lighthouse on this incredible milestone. WorkQuest is proud to assist in providing meaningful, gainful employment and increased independence to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
