At Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM), we know that meaningful partnerships help fuel our mission to change attitudes about blindness and create opportunities for independence. One of our longest-standing vendor partners, SP Richards (SPR), exemplifies what it means to support with purpose.
For years, SPR has been more than a supplier—they’ve been a true partner. Our Base Supply Centers (BSCs) rely on SPR for office supplies, janitorial products, and furniture, all of which are resold to military personnel at our stores. In addition, SPR helps us repackage and co-brand goods, expanding the reach of BISM products and services. Beyond the day-to-day, SPR supports our Manager’s Meetings, Customer Appreciation Days, and signature fundraising events. They are also the Presenting Sponsor of our annual BISM Pro-Am Golf Classic, helping us raise critical funds to advance our mission.
For the SPR team, partnering with BISM is more than business—it’s about being inspired by the work happening here. Jeremy Fisher shared that, “Working with BISM has been incredibly fulfilling! The impact they have on individuals, and the community is so powerful. Whether you’re an associate, a participant, or just a bystander, you can’t help but be impressed. Their mission-driven culture is truly remarkable.” He recalls touring BISM’s training programs and being struck by the everyday skills our student’s master. “I’ll never forget touring the commercial kitchen and learning how low-sighted individuals hear water boiling when making spaghetti. And admiring their projects in the woodshop was absolutely mind-blowing.”
Kimberley Kennedy, another member of the SPR team, echoed that sentiment. She shared that SPR is fortunate to partner with BISM, proudly supporting the AbilityOne Program and the Independence Training & Rehabilitation Program—initiatives she finds both impactful and rewarding. Over the years, she has enjoyed participating in BISM’s events and touring our facilities, from headquarters to the Base Supply Center stores. One of her highlights each year is attending the BISM Pro-Am Golf Classic, which she describes as a fantastic experience where BISM employees go above and beyond to make everyone feel welcomed.
BISM is proud to have a partner like SP Richards, whose commitment goes far beyond products and services. Their dedication to supporting our programs and events allows us to continue empowering blind and low vision individuals across Maryland and beyond. We are grateful for their ongoing partnership and look forward to many more years of meaningful collaboration.
For more information about SP Richards and their work, visit www.sprichards.com.
