Envision held its 11th annual Evening With Envision Gala on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at INTRUST Bank arena.
Each year, Envision hosts its Evening With Envision Gala as its premier fundraising event. The gala helps support Envision’s mission to, “improve the quality of life, and provide inspiration and opportunity for people who are blind or visually impaired through employment, outreach, rehabilitation, education, and research.”
Spirit of Philanthropy Award
During the gala, High Touch was recognized by Envision with the 2019 Spirit of Philanthropy Award. According to Envision, the award “honors individuals, organizations, or families whose gifts, donations, and support have made a significant impact on Envision’s cause.”
President and CEO Michael Monteferrante and Senior Vice President of Foundation and Mission Services Heather Hogan presented the award to High Touch President and CEO Derrick Nielsen.
High Touch and Envision
High Touch supports Envision’s operations as the company’s technology partner for its locations in Wichita and Dallas. As Envision’s technology partner, High Touch provides technology solutions and services that help Envision achieve its mission. Examples of services provided by High Touch include Remote IT Management, Technology Consulting, Phone Systems, Enterprise Resource Planning, Custom Software Development, and Domain Management.
“Our partnership with Envision is very important to us,” states Nielsen. “We get to flex our muscles as a complete technology solutions provider and support our community at the same time. Our partnership is a win-win for High Touch.”
In addition to providing technology solutions and services for Envision, High Touch sponsors Envision’s Level Up program and is a Gala sponsor.
11th Annual Evening With Envision
This year’s gala featured a tropical resort theme. Decorated like a Caribbean retreat, the gala featured performances by musicians who are blind or visually impaired, including:
- Marlana VanHoose. Marlana VanHoose is an award-winning singer who has performed across the United States at various events and churches. She is a three-time Heritage Award recipient through the Artist Guild. VanHoose has performed at notable events, including the 2015 NBA Finals – Game 6, 3 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races, and the 2016 Republican National Convention.
- Shayy Winn. Shayla “Shayy” Winn stepped into the spotlight on the 17th season of American Idol with her rendition of Andra Day’s “Rise Up.” The singer finished in the show’s top 40. Winn rapidly began losing her eyesight in 2017 because of hydrocephalus—a buildup of fluid in the brain and a brain tumor affecting the optic nerve.
- Blind Boys of Alabama. According to the band’s website, “Hailed as ‘gospel titans’ by Rolling Stone, the Blind Boys first rose to fame in the segregated south with their thrilling vocal harmonies and roof-raising live show. They released their debut single, ‘I Can See Everybody’s Mother But Mine,’ on the iconic Veejay label in 1948, launching a 70-year recording career that would see them rack up five GRAMMY Awards (plus one for Lifetime Achievement), enter the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, collaborate with everyone from Mavis Staples and Stevie Wonder to Prince and Lou Reed, and perform on the world’s most prestigious stages.”
This year’s Evening With Envision Gala provided the opportunity to “Fund-a-Need.” According to Envision, “Contributions to Fund-a-Need support children and adults living with blindness or low vision. Your donation ensures the people who walk through our doors receive access to life-altering programs and services, regardless of their ability to pay.”
High Touch Community Involvement
We foster a culture of social responsibility and service, investing in the community, and encouraging employee volunteerism and philanthropy. Through our community involvement, High Touch actively supports:
- STEM education
- Helping the disadvantaged population
- Youth initiatives
- Economic development through community advancement and entrepreneurship