2005 Angels on the Beach Getaway Draws Near

1302 Dunmire Street

Pensacola Fl. 32504

www.ibwest.org

For immediate release

Natasha Roberts has joined Independence for the Blind of West Florida as Director of Development and Public Relations. Roberts graduated from the University of West Florida with a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Marketing. A Pensacola native, she has resided in the area most of her life. Roberts has previously served as public relations specialist for Five Flags Speedway, worked as an assistant to the Pensacola Pelicans staff, and was a Pensacola News Journal Correspondent.

Roberts will handle all Public Relations, Marketing, and Fund-raising. She will be the primary contact and organizer of the Eye Ball, dinner/dance fund-raiser for Independence for the Blind of West Florida, January 20, 2006, at the Hilton Garden Inn on Pensacola Beach.

Lauren Hagopian has been appointed Grants Specialist at Independence for the Blind of West Florida. Lauren has a Bachelor of Arts from Florida State University in Philosophy with a minor from the College of Business as well as recognition by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. A Southern Scholarship Foundation recipient, Lauren served as Business Manager for a division of the foundation.

Hagopian is focusing on the growth of Independence for the Blind and will help develop a Fund-raising plan for the agency. In addition, her goal is to secure grant funding enabling IB West to obtain the facilities, equipment and staff vital to serve the blind of Pensacola and surrounding areas.