Fr. Boniface Wittenbrink OMI – 2018
Fr. Boniface Wittenbrink, OMI, used the technical aspects of the radio industry to provide informational services to the blind. As the founder of the “Talking Book” program at radio station WMRY in Belleville, he procured funding to purchase special radio receivers, acquired studio equipment and space and recruited volunteer readers. The service provided an audio stream for blind listeners, consisting of news and features from the day’s papers, as well as books and magazines. He went on to establish the same service in 10 Illinois cities, Texas, Canada and the Philippines. The local operation grew to more than 200 volunteers serving over 14,000 people.