Deserving recognition

West Islanders should jump on board the Montreal Association for the Blind’s efforts to convince Canada Post to issue a Braille stamp to commemorate their 100th anniversary next year.

Pointe Claire activist Alan Dean, named last year’s West Islander of the Year by

The Chronicle, is spearheading the stamp request and is hoping people back them up by writing to Canada Post’s

stamp advisory committee.

The group provides a wide-range of

services — from early intervention

programs for infants to travel skills — to about 2,900 blind and visually-impaired people every year.

MAB is an institution that has served the English-speaking community well and has made a difference and has become an integral part of the community since it was founded in April 1908.

Every year, Canada Post issues commemorative stamps, such as it did recently with Macdonald College in Ste. Anne de Bellevue, and one hopes it will come through for MAB.

Letters of support, whether from local politicians, the group’s clients or ordinary citizens, could make a difference. They are expected to make a decision on what groups or associations will get a stamp in the coming months.

You can write the Canada Post stamp advisory committee at 2701 Riverside Dr., Ottawa, Ont., K1A 0B1.