The Bret Dahmke Memorial Scholarship Fund was started in March 2015 when Bret’s family decided to turn the tragic situation of his death at a young age into a beacon of hope for the future, by supporting other families whose children have visual impairment or blindness. Bret’s parents Carol and Mitch Dahmke, along with his siblings Chris and Ashley, and Bret’s widow Jessica, requested memorial gifts to VIPS in Bret’s name to set up the fund.
To apply for the $250 scholarship, families need to:
1. Have a child(ren) with a visual impairment, birth through high school age;
2. Reside in Kentucky;
3. Write a narrative explaining the desired support/learning opportunity and how this scholarship could help;
4. List the conference they would like to attend;
5. Be willing to share the knowledge they gain at the conference with other parents. (For example: write a story/provide photographs for the VIPS and/or KSB newsletter(s), speak with other parents at the VIPS/KSB Family Conference, etc).;
6. Include their name and the name of the child with visual impairment, child’s age, school or agency from which child is receiving VI services (e.g., VIPS, Kentucky School for the Blind, etc.), your mailing a
ddress and phone number; and
7. Have applications post-marked by March 6, 2017.
The award winner will be announced on March 25, 2017.
Letters of application should be sent to: Carol & Mitch Dahmke, c/o Visually Impaired Preschool Services, 1906 Goldsmith Lane, Louisville, KY 40218. No applications will be taken by phone, but for additional information, please call Carol Dahmke at 502-498-2921.
