KC Blind All Stars Foundation

Kansas City, KS, May 02, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Jeff Hanson is not a regular teenager. Jeff is swamped with work from people commissioning him for one of his colorful paintings. Orders for his beautiful art just keep coming in, and they command top dollar. Jeff is not only a prolific artist working for multiple causes, he is also visually impaired, but his paintings are filled with color, shape and harmony. Sir Elton John and movie director Harold Ramis both display Jeff’s art in their homes.

Jeff, who is 14, lives with a genetic disorder called Neurofibromatosis, associated with an optic chiasm glioma. Jeff donates almost all of his income from his paintings to non-profit organizations. Jeff’s art has raised over $15,000 for a single non-profit organization. Funds generated from his current direct mail campaign to six-hundred eye professionals will go to support the Kansas State School for the Blind’s non-profit wing, the KC Blind All-Stars Foundation (KCBAS) which is uniquely focused on providing programs that lead to employment opportunities. For every person who donates $2500 to KCBAS Foundation, Jeff will personally paint a 30” x 40” acrylic canvas.

Jeff, who is a student at the Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB), began painting when he was twelve years old while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. “It is important for me to help support the KC Blind All-Stars Foundation because they are offering new opportunities for those with blindness,” said Jeff Hanson.

“I am beyond thrilled. The efforts of one person can inspire us all. This is a student with a clear purpose in life – helping others,” said Madeleine Burkindine, Superintendent for the Kansas State School for the Blind and Vice President of the KC Blind All-Stars Foundation. “We are truly grateful for Jeff and his mother Julie Hanson for their unique grass roots approach and for donating such a huge amount of time and effort to the KCBAS Foundation. The critically needed funds will go towards programs that provide students with blindness and visual impairments access to print through expensive assistive technology and supports critical academic and employment goals of the foundation.”

“Among adults who are blind or visually impaired, unemployment is at 70%. The KCBAS Foundation is completely focused on raising funds to support research, technology and programs to combat the high unemployment issue for those living with visual impairment,” said Kelly Myers, President of the KC Blind All-Stars Foundation. “With people like Julie and Jeff Hanson on your side, you never know what’s around the corner.”

About the KC Blind All-Stars Foundation:

Where We’re Going: Future Solutions Now
Living in an ever-changing society has brought many new challenges to people living with visual impairments (VI) including a seventy percent unemployment rate among the VI community. The KC Blind All-Stars Foundation (KCBAS) has been established with new programs to vigorously combat these obstacles. New, groundbreaking programs like the recently installed music recording and production studio project will serve as a cornerstone program in providing new vocational opportunities.

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Media Contacts:

Kelly Myers
President KC Blind All-Stars Foundation
816-309-4249
kelly.g.myers@sprint.com

Madeleine Burkindine
Superintendent Kansas State School for the Blind
Vice President KC Blind All-Stars Foundation
913-281-3308 xt 306
mburkindine@kssb.net