The Visually Impaired People organization received a pleasant surprise from a local resident, and its CEO was eager to pay it forward.

Peggy Marchman donated more than 40 audio books to VIP last Wednesday. The nonprofit group, which supports those with low or no vision, gave the tapes to six agencies that serve visually impaired individuals that same day.

“Our mission is to bring the printed word to the visually impaired of Alabama,” VIP CEO William Bowman said. “This is the first time we got books to give away.”

VIP shared the books with Lighthouse Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Sickle Cell Foundation, Epworth House, Park Place Nursing and Rehab Center, Cedar Hill Assisted Living and Hilltop Manor.

Bowman said he was searching for a special way to help the community during the holidays when a call from Robin Hiche, Marchman’s niece, sparked the idea. Hiche informed Bowman that her aunt was interested in donating audio books.

With so many challenges facing the visually impaired, Bowman said audio books serve as a huge help to the low vision community.

“Now the residents of these agencies can check out the books from their facility and listen to them on a tape player without worrying about not being able to see the print of the books,” he said. “Thanks, Mrs. Marchman and Ms. Hiche. We could not have done it without your donation.”