Since 1829, Perkins School for the Blind has been a leader in preparing students for the world — and the world for their students. One of their most famous students was Helen Keller. In addition to the school, Perkins has programs in 67 countries around the world helping blind children in many different ways.

I got involved through a friend and donor who told me about an amazing man who is one of the owners of the Celtics NBA basketball team here in Boston. His name is Wyc Grousbeck and he has a son who is blind and who attended Perkins. Back when we starting WonderWork, I met with Wyc and told him of our new blindness program, 20/20/20. I asked him if he might consider being one of our Founding Donors. Wyc said he would consider it and in return, he asked me if I could try to help Perkins improve their fundraising through direct mail. I told him I would be happy to try.

I spent almost 9 months with my WonderWork direct mail team, working on developing a direct mail program for Perkins. Along the way, I learned a little bit about the many challenges Perkins’ students faced. All of them were blind or severely visually impaired. And most of them were also deaf and/or had other major medical issues. In spite of this, I have never met more determined, confident, talented and optimistic group of students in my life. And their teachers were incredibly committed and dedicated. I got to attend a track and field meet at Perkins when I arrived early for a meeting one day and it was really inspiring. We developed a bunch of very emotional, powerful direct mail packages we thought would help raise money for the school. But the results of our test mailings were underwhelming and we did not pursue it. 

It was disappointing because it is such a wonderful organization.  I’m thankful I got the chance to learn about it and to meet an extraordinary guy like Wyc Grousbeck.