WASHINGTON, Oct 19, 2009 -- Purple Communications(TM), Inc. (PRPL) ("Purple"), one of the nation's leading providers of text and video relay and on-site interpreting services announced Mr. Tate Tullier, noted Deaf professional photographer, as Trailblazer of the Year and winner of the Dream Bigger Campaign.
The Dream Bigger Campaign recognized ten Trailblazers in the Deaf Community and Hard-of-Hearing Community and celebrated their accomplishment and advancements made in the community with events taking place in their home states throughout the country. As part of the Trailblazer of the Year selection, each of the ten Trailblazer nominees was awarded a $1,000 cash prize from Purple Communications to be donated to their non-profit organization of choice.
Over the past five months over 8,000 people in the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community read about each Trailblazer nominee, viewed videos and cast their votes for Trailblazer of the Year at purple.us/dreambigger. Tullier secured the largest number of votes, and in front of an in-person audience of over 850 at the Trailblazer of the Year finale event, and 21,000 online viewers, was named the winner. He received $10,000 to go toward his organization-of-choice, the Louisiana School for the Deaf, a Baton-Rouge based school serving over 500 Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth. In addition to the charitable donation, Tullier will also receive an all-expense-paid vacation to the destination of his choice.
"I am overwhelmed and overjoyed that so many in the Deaf Community saw something special in me and selected me as their winner," said Trailblazer of the Year, Tate Tullier. "The outpouring of support I have received from the Deaf Community has been amazing. In winning this award, I want to challenge the Deaf youth of tomorrow to reach for their goals, dream bigger and know that anything is possible with hard work and dedication."
Tullier, one of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community's most prominent professional photographers, began his career at the young age of 12 using the Louisiana landscape as his inspiration. After graduating from Gallaudet University in 2003, Tullier successfully pursued a photography career in New York City by starting his own company. A native of Louisiana, Tullier returned to the South in 2005 and has since grown his business through a combination of online and 'word of hand' marketing in the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community. He is heralded as a creative leader for Deaf youth within the community.
"Tate is a true creative inspiration for both the Deaf and hearing community. His passion for finding the beauty in life is a trait we can all benefit from," said Brandon Arthur, vice president of marketing communications for Purple Communications. "Purple is proud to honor his talents and to donate the $10,000 to the Louisiana School for the Deaf. We hope these proceeds will help to inspire the Deaf youth of tomorrow, strengthening their passions and offering them the opportunity to succeed."
About Purple Communications
Purple Communications is a leading provider of onsite interpreting services, video relay and text relay services, and video remote interpreting, offering a wide array of options designed to meet the varied communication needs of its customers. The Company's vision is to enable free-flowing communication between people, inclusive of differences in abilities, languages, or locations. For more information on the Company or its services, visit www.purple.us or contact Purple Communications directly by voice at 415-408-2300, by Internet relay by visiting www.i711.com or www.ip-relay.com, or by video phone by connecting to hovrs.tv.
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