ROCKFORD, IL – During the October 2017 Board meeting, the Blazer Foundation Board took a moment to honor Cedric Blazer, founder of The Blazer Foundation. Board member and dear friend of Cedric Blazer, Dr. Mike Werckle, surprised the Board by driving his 1935 Zenith Cutter panel truck to the meeting to honor Cedric. Mr. Blazer dedicated his life to developing his small family-owned machine shop, Zenith Cutter Company, into the world’s leading manufacturer of high quality precision industrial knives. During his ownership, Zenith employed over 400 people. Under Cedric’s charge and continuing today Zenith is recognized as the industry leader in providing a large array of blades used in the corrugated, granulating, recycling and landscaping industries. Below is a photo of the Blazer Foundation Board next to the Zenith truck.
During the October Board meeting, the Board also thanked and celebrated Bob Yocum for his many years of service to the Foundation which came to an end as a result of relocating to South Carolina. The photo below is of Bob Yocum, Board Director (left), receiving a plaque in recognition of his service from Pat Shaw, Chairman of the Board (right).
The Blazer Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation established by Cedric Blazer in 1986. Its mission is to support local initiatives in research and development as well as programs designed to directly support those individuals with disabilities.