Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing
  • Login
  • GDPR
  • Create a Free Account
Return to PRWeb homepage
  • News
  • Resources
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All News Releases
      • Multimedia Gallery

      • All Multimedia
      • All Photos
      • All Videos
  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • Aerospace, Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads and Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking and Road Transportation
      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers and Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalization
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls and Research
      • Trade Show News
      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil and Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • Carriers and Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines and Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics and Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture and Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewelry
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels and Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • Advocacy Group Opinion
      • Animal Welfare
      • Congressional & Presidential Campaigns
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Domestic Policy
      • Economic News, Trends, Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • FDA Approval
      • Federal and State Legislation
      • Federal Executive Branch & Agency
      • Foreign Policy & International Affairs
      • Homeland Security
      • Labor & Union
      • Legal Issues
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Patent Law
      • Public Safety
      • Trade Policy
      • U.S. State Policy
      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • View All People & Culture

  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision PRWeb provides efficient communication tools to continuously engage with target audiences across multiple online channels
  • Create a Free Account
    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us


      11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday

  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • News in Focus
    • Browse All News
    • Multimedia Gallery
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR

Newman's Own Foundation Awards $200K Grant to Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation
  • USA - English


News provided by

Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation

Mar 05, 2014, 14:00 ET

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

Fidelco client SSgt Michael Malarsie, USAF (Ret) with his Fidelco Guide Dog "Xxon"
Fidelco client SSgt Michael Malarsie, USAF (Ret) with his Fidelco Guide Dog "Xxon"

Bloomfield, CT (PRWEB) March 05, 2014 -- Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation was awarded a two-year, $200,000 grant from Newman’s Own Foundation, the independent foundation created by the late actor and philanthropist, Paul Newman. The Connecticut-based Newman’s Own Foundation made the award to Fidelco – Connecticut’s own guide dog school -- as part of its “Honoring Those Who Serve” initiative aimed at supporting United States military men, women, and families.

Newman’s Own Foundation’s passionate support of our mission enables Fidelco to expand its efforts to serve our nation’s blinded heroes with the highest quality German Shepherd Guide Dogs available anywhere in the world.

Post this

Fidelco breeds, trains and places its unique breed of German Shepherd Guide Dogs for people who are blind. The Newman’s Own Foundation grant will support Fidelco’s core mission with a special emphasis on services for blinded veterans and their family members. Since 1997, Newman’s Own Foundation has granted more than $600,000 to Fidelco.

“There is no greater sacrifice than serving in the military and defending our country,” said Eliot D. Russman, Fidelco’s CEO and Executive Director. “Newman’s Own Foundation’s passionate support of our mission enables Fidelco to expand its efforts to serve our nation’s blinded heroes with the highest quality German Shepherd Guide Dogs available anywhere in the world.”

“Recalling Paul Newman’s service in the United States Naval Corps in World War II, we have been committed to supporting military nonprofits for over twenty years,” said Robert Forrester, President and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation. “More service men and women are surviving battlefield injuries which leave them seriously injured and blind. We are pleased to award a grant to Fidelco as they endeavor to make a difference in the lives of these veterans and their families.”

There are more than 160,000 blind veterans now living in the United States, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and that number is expected to increase. Each year, some 7,000 veterans from the Korean and Vietnam conflict eras become blind or visually impaired due to age-related diseases. And about 17 percent of younger veterans wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer traumatic eye injury, according to the American Foundation for the Blind, including penetrative eye damage from IED explosions.

The ongoing partnership between Newman’s Own and Fidelco was recently featured in “Give It All Away: Newman’s Own Recipe for Success,” a Connecticut Public Television Original Documentary.

Fidelco shares the Newman’s Own Foundation’s deep roots in Connecticut; since its founding in 1960, it remains the only Connecticut-headquartered guide dog school. The non-profit organization relies solely on the gifts and the generosity of individuals, foundations, corporations and civic organizations. For more information visit http://www.fidelco.org.

Meet two of Fidelco’s clients whose Fidelco Guide Dogs were provided through the generosity of Newman’s Own Foundation:

Fidelco client SSgt Michael Malarsie, USAF (Ret) & “Xxon”

On January 3, 2010, in the remote mountains of Afghanistan, SSgt Michael Malarsie was blinded and severely wounded by a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) that killed four team members and blew him off a bridge. Following months of determined rehabilitation and painful facial surgeries, and exactly one year later, Michael was partnered with his Fidelco Guide Dog “Xxon.” With Xxon leading the way, Michael returned to active duty status as the only blind airman serving in the United States Air Force. He also received the Bronze Star With Valor for heroism on the battlefield.

Xxon is a game-changer for the entire Malarsie family. He provides increased freedom and independence not only for Michael, but for his wife, Jesse, too. “When Xxon is working with Michael, I don’t feel that I have to watch out for him every minute,” said Jesse, “I can focus on being a mom to our children.” And Michael agrees, “I can get around in half as much time and my confidence is way up. I’m excited to be out and in society again.” Michael added, “I’m so lucky to be alive. Being blind is such a small thing; I’m not going to let it slow me down at all. I don’t know where I’d be now if it weren’t for Xxon.”

TSgt Matthew Slaydon, USAF (Ret) & “Legend”

As the point person for an explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) team in Kirkuk, Iraq, it was Matthew’s job to “take the long walk” to determine what sort of bomb his unit faced and safely disarm it. On October 24, 2007, as Matthew slid his probe under the bomb, it blew up two feet from his face. Thrown 30 feet from the blast site, he suffered a mangled left arm that was immediately amputated, a shattered face and the loss of vision in both eyes.

“I had always wanted a German shepherd and was familiar with them from my time in the Air Force,” he said. “When I found about Fidelco and their German shepherds, that was it for me. Nothing else would do.”

After many discussions with Matthew’s rehabilitation specialists, including a prosthesis expert, the Fidelco staff found the right combination of harness and handle to accommodate Matthew’s physical injuries. He was partnered with his Fidelco Guide Dog “Legend” in 2008. “I began to see a glimmer of hope that while many of my dreams had been left in the dirt of Kirkuk, there were new goals that I could set for myself with Legend’s help,” said Slaydon.

About Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation
The Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Bloomfield, CT. Fidelco is an internationally accredited organization and an admired expert throughout the world for its highly valued German Shepherd Guide Dogs.

Each Fidelco Guide Dog takes two years, 15,000 hands-on hours and $45,000 to produce. They are given to clients at no cost. Fidelco provides 24/7 client support for the entire working life of its guide dogs – typically 10 years. Fidelco relies solely on the generosity and financial support of individuals, foundations, corporations and civic organizations to help Share the Vision®.

Fidelco has trained and placed over 1,350 German Shepherd Guide Dogs throughout North America – in 41 states and five Canadian provinces. Fidelco pioneered In-Community Placement in the United States — a process that allows all guide dog users to be trained in the communities where they live and work.

Fidelco also has placed hundreds of its German Shepherd Dogs with law enforcement agencies, first responders, search and rescue, and missing child recovery organizations to help protect our fellow citizens and keep our communities safe. For more information visit http://www.fidelco.org.

Heidi Voight, Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, http://www.fidelco.org, +1 860-906-2086, [email protected]

Modal title

Fidelco client TSgt Matthew Slaydon, USAF (Ret) with his Fidelco Guide Dog "Legend"
Fidelco client TSgt Matthew Slaydon, USAF (Ret) with his Fidelco Guide Dog "Legend"
Fidelco client SSgt Michael Malarsie, USAF (Ret) with his Fidelco Guide Dog "Xxon"
Fidelco client SSgt Michael Malarsie, USAF (Ret) with his Fidelco Guide Dog "Xxon"
Fidelco client TSgt Matthew Slaydon, USAF (Ret) with his Fidelco Guide Dog "Legend" Fidelco client SSgt Michael Malarsie, USAF (Ret) with his Fidelco Guide Dog "Xxon"

Contact PRWeb

  • 11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday
  • Contact Us

About PRWeb

  • About PRWeb
  • Partners
  • Partnership Programs
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Resources

Why PRWeb

  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing

Accounts

  • Create a Free Account
  • Log in
  • Contact Us

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via [email protected] 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact Cision

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Online Member Center
  • ProfNet
Cision Distribution Helpline
888-776-0942
  • Legal
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookie Settings
Copyright © 2025 Cision US Inc.