Monday, September 7, 2009

Million Dollar Prize

Helen Keller International is getting more than million dollars for its work its efforts to prevent blindness in the developing world. The money comes from the Champalimaud Foundation's annual Vision Award. The New York-based nonprofit will recieve $1.4 million in total from the private Portuguese foundation. Hellen Keller International was founded nearly 100 years ago and operates programs in 21 countries.

The Champalimaud Foundation is financied from the estate of one of Portugal's wealthiest businessmen. Antonio Champalimaud died in 204, leaving a quarter of his billion dollar estate to the foundation after he lost his sight during the last years of his life.