Location
Cherry Hill
Leader
Jon Katz, CEO
Origin
Bestwork was founded in 1981 by Jim Varsaci, a hero who was blinded in combat during World War II, who returned home with a vision to create opportunities for others.
Mission/vision
Bestwork empowers people who are blind or visually impaired by creating employment opportunities, providing training and offering blindness and low-vision services.
Key programs
Bestwork’s core lines of business:
- Textile apparel manufacturing
- Kitting/packaging/light assembly
- E-commerce (bestworksupplycenter.com)
- Document scanning/digital imaging
Biggest event/fundraiser
Dining in the Dark: A unique dining experience that expands participants’ appreciation of taste, smell, touch, hearing and vision. The event directly supports Bestwork’s Blindness and Low Vision Services Center, BLVSC, offering free eye screenings for people experiencing issues with their vision, low-vision exams, an assistive technology center and vocational rehabilitation services.
Supporters/donors
In addition to numerous foundations:
- 1st Colonial Community Bank
- Antex Knitting Mills
- Archer & Greiner
- BNY Mellon
- Holman
- Mercer Bucks Technology
- New Jersey American Water
- New Jersey Economic Development Authority
- New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program
- Ocean State Innovations
- OceanFirst
- Public Service Enterprise Group
- RBC Wealth Management
- South Jersey Gas
- TD Bank
- Truist
- Wipfl
One more thing
Bestwork is proud to be the largest employer of people who are blind in the state of New Jersey. What began as a small, self-sustaining manufacturing agency with one location and one line of business has grown into a full-service social enterprise with four locations, four lines of business and blindness and low-vision services. It is deeply committed to continuing Jim Varsaci’s legacy by creating sustainable pathways that support independence, employment and inclusion — today, tomorrow and for generations to come.
How to support
You can access these two websites: bestworkindustries.org/donations/ and secure.qgiv.com/for/bestworkindustriesfortheblind/. Or Venmo: @bestworkindustries.
