4126 Berkeley Avenue Kinston, NC 28504 Office: 252.523.1019 Fax: 252.523.7090 Email: customerser@lionsindustries.org
© 2010 Lions Industries for the Blind, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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OUR MISSION
Providing employment
opportunities for non-sighted
persons in a work setting that
affords both income and
dignity to the individual, with
no compromise on the quality
of the product.
Our History
In the late 1960’s, the North Carolina Division of Services for
the Blind approached the Kinston Host Lions Club to
establish a facility to serve the area’s blind and visually
handicapped. After two years of study by the Host and the
Ram Neuse Clubs, a charter was issued and in April, 1971,
“Eastern Carolina Industries for the Blind, Inc.” was established
on East Street in Kinston. The ultimate goal was, and remains, to
provide employment for the blind and visually impaired in a setting that affords both
income and dignity to the individual, with no compromise on the quality of production.
In 1975 the operation was moved to a larger facility on East Lenoir Avenue and the charter
amended to officially change the name to “Lions Industries for the Blind, Inc.” (LIB). In
1976, LIB became a project of the entire Lions District and also became associated with
National Industries for the Blind, a non-profit agency through which all government work is
assigned to affiliated agencies. In April, 1981, the operation was moved to West Vernon
Avenue. The facilities at 2600 West Vernon were expanded in 1986 to provide 13,700
square feet for operations. In October 2002, LIB moved to its present location at 4126
Berkeley Avenue. The move to Berkeley Avenue increased the space for LIB to carry out
its operation to 40,500 square feet. Through the hard
work and cooperation of our Board of Directors, many
Lions Club Members, and its employees, LIB has
achieved a reputation for providing viable jobs to blind
and visually impaired citizens of Eastern North Carolina.
Most of our products are sold to the Federal
Government under the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act. This
Act requires us to meet competitive quality and price
standards…and we have. Our success has allowed
expansion of employment opportunities and facilities
offered to the blind and visually impaired. We have also
been able to provide employment for those with other serious disabilities such as
deafness, retardation, diabetes, and orthopedic problems. LIB will continue to offer its
clients the employment opportunities and experience they need to take their place as a
productive member of society. We all owe a debt of gratitude to the N.C. Division of
services for the Blind, National Industries for the Blind, the AbilityOne Program, and to our
Board of Directors and members of the Kinston Host and Ram Neuse Lions Clubs for
making the work done at LIB possible.
An ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company, Certificate No. A-702.