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LightHouse News

LightHouse Youth Invited to Paddle and Pizza Day

Are you looking for a cool and wet outdoor adventure this summer? Come enjoy an exciting kayak excursion with the LightHouse for the Blind at the Willow Creek Recreation Area.

Meet at LightHouse Headquarters in San Francisco on Friday, August 8th at 7:30 a.m. Please arrive on time; we will leave promptly at 8:00 a.m. Once at Willow Creek Recreation Area in Folsom, our experienced kayak guides will teach us kayak safety, paddling techniques, and equipment prep and clean up from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. After a full day of kayaking, we will join Margie Donovan at her home near Sacramento for a pizza party before heading back to the Bay Area. We expect to return to San Francisco at approximately 7:00 p.m.

Space is limited to 10 Participants, so please RSVP by July 27.
For more information or to RSVP for this event, please contact LightHouse Youth Services Coordinator Jamey Gump at 415- 694-7372 or jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Who: Blind and low vision youth ages 8 to 18
When: Friday, August 8 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Meet at LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters
Transportation: Shuttle will be provided from the LightHouse in San Francisco, and is by RSVP only.
The bus will leave promptly after 7:30 a.m., so please be early or on time.
Cost: The cost of the event will be $40.00 per participant and includes kayak rental, transportation, and a pizza party. Spots will only be reserved once full payment has been received.
Waiver: A Lighthouse Liability Wavier must be filled out and submitted by each participant.

Things to Bring:

– Bottle of water
– Bag Lunch & Snack
– Hat or Visor
– Sunglasses
– Swimsuit
– Sunscreen
– Extra Change of Clothes (you will get wet)
– Water Shoes (no flip flops)
– Plastic bag to store wet clothes
– Cane or other necessary adaptive device
– Signed Waiver Form
– Jacket (in the unlikely event that it gets chilly)

Blind teenage boy kayaking in blue waters

LightHouse News

Activate Your Generous Spirit – Become a LightHouse Volunteer Today

1 Commenton Activate Your Generous Spirit – Become a LightHouse Volunteer Today

Are you an individual who believes the simplest pleasures in life sometimes have the most profound impact? Do you prefer to work with people in a one-to-one capacity rather than in large groups? Would you like to make a significant contribution to the life of someone who is blind or low vision in as little as two hours per week? Or are you blind or low vision and interested in working with one of our dedicated volunteers to promote your independence and fitness?

In addition to all of the other services we provide for blind and low vision folks, the LightHouse has an exceptional Personal Services Volunteer Program, where we match those able to help with those needing assistance with tasks such as going over paperwork, organizing their home or going to the grocery store. And if you are finally ready to “get your fitness on” and looking for someone to walk, run, bicycle or other exercise with, the LightHouse can pair you with a Fitness Partner.

Make a difference in somebody’s life. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Justine Harris-Richburgh at 415-694-7320 or volunteer@old.lighthouse-sf.org to be paired with a Personal Service Volunteer or Fitness Partner today.

Sign that says, “Become a Volunteer Today!”

LightHouse News

Cycle for Sight Raises $38,000 for Enchanted Hills Camp

We are deeply grateful for the Rotary Club of Napa’s award of $38,000, our share of the proceeds raised by 2,000 cyclists for the Cycle for Sight 2014 event, and to everyone who contributed to make this award possible.

We are also thankful for the hard work of those who raised funds through the pledgereg.com website as well as our individual supporters who raised an additional $11,000 in direct donations to support Camp: Chris Downey, Marlene Dunaway, Tony Fletcher, Sarah Fullmer, Sergio Lopez, Lisamaria Martinez, Jacob Obeso, Jack Veliquette, Kaitlyn Westbrook and Kate Williams.

Cycle for Sight 2014 Riders Suzanne Tierney, Janette Puccetti and Alyssa Moukhlis

LightHouse News

Donation Makes A Splash

In 1989, Helen Ames of Oakland, in her capacity as the president of the Charity League, made a generous contribution to support Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind. The $30,000 endowment fund supported sending low-income campers to Enchanted Hills. In 2011, in the wake of the financial crisis, a new law was implemented that affected endowment funds. The Uniform Prudent Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA) required a hard separation of funds held under endowment from the LightHouse’s general portfolio. To comply, we transferred the endowment funds which had grown to $36,000 into a sequestered savings account, where it accrued limited interest. It was suggested by our contracted auditor that we contact the donor to request to use the corpus of the endowment for capital improvements.

Though Ms. Ames has passed, her grandson, Lawrence Ames III of San Francisco, graciously agreed to the proposal that we use his mother’s legacy to rejuvenate the pool area at Enchanted Hills. This winter, Ms. Ames, through her bequest, enabled us to remodel the bath and shower house; purchase a new filter, solar pool blanket and efficient heating system for the pool; install an accessible wheelchair lift and replace the tired pool furniture, tables, chairs and chaises. Thank you to the Ames family and all who contributed to the Charity League!

Contributions to the LightHouse and Enchanted Hills can sometimes provide physical improvements to our facilities, but more importantly our programs initiate change for the blind babies through gray hairs who benefit from the joy and learning offered by the LightHouse. To learn more about planned giving or to make a gift, contact 415-694-7333 or giving@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Girl swimming in pool at Enchanted Hills Camp

LightHouse News

Truffle Tasting, Film Screenings and a Chance to Cycle the Country Roads of Napa

When most people think about a stay at Enchanted Hills Retreat they think of a place away from it all to reconnect with family and friends. It can also be a place to focus on an activity (strategizing a business decision, doing yoga at a wellness retreat, or playing music with fellow musicians.) Some think of it as an affordable place for a group to congregate that has the added benefit of supporting the important work of Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind, allowing blind campers of all ages to explore, create, learn and discover a community of friends.

Another reason to rent Enchanted Hills Retreat with your group is to explore the art, culture, food and wine of this renowned area. Here are a handful of the special events that take place throughout the year in Napa:

Napa Film Festival – November 12-16, 2014: Twelve Screening Venues are scattered throughout the County of Napa and over 125 films will be shown.

Napa Truffle Festival – January 16th to 19th, 2015: The festival brings together two complementary aspects of European truffles: the best chefs in the world known for their truffle cuisine, and the best truffle experts and scientists in the world recognized for their expertise and data on truffle cultivation.

Cycle for Sight – April 18th, 2015: With 15, 25 and 50 mile routes through gorgeous Napa back roads. At the end of your ride, a festival with wine tasting and live music awaits. Proceeds benefit Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind and Pathways Veterans Home.

Get your group together to bond and enjoy the festivities of Napa. For more information about Enchanted Hills Retreat, please call (415) 694-7310 or go to www.enchantedhillsretreat.com.

Napa Truffle Festival logo

LightHouse News

LightHouse Labs Holds First-Ever Blind Ideation Weekend

Founded in 2011, the LightHouse Labs team has held dozens of roundtables and advised inventors and large tech companies on the blind-worthiness of their inventions. LightHouse Labs meets monthly and has already influenced many startup and large tech firms in developing products and services of fundamental utility for our community.

As part of the Labs’ initiative to influence future innovation, key members gathered for a first-ever three-day Ideation Weekend at our Enchanted Hills Retreat. The LightHouse Labs core members – all blind – were assisted by an enormous donation of time and talent from Will Carey, an experienced executive from Palo Alto-based Ideo, and Jennifer Wood, who has begun volunteer service as LightHouse’s Innovation Officer.

During the productive weekend, the Labs team discussed more than 100 ideas of new products and services that might benefit the blind. The group then had the demanding task of winnowing the ideas those that would be most impactful and those which could be done in a couple of years. The winning ideas will now be submitted to university design, innovation and engineering departments to be developed as part of senior and graduate projects. But it all began this June when a couple-dozen passionate blind techies gave of their time and talent to help the LightHouse brainstorm a better future.

During a break in the brainy weekend some members of the think tank posed for a photo. From left to right they include: Back row: Brian Buhrow, Jim Barbour, Marc Sutton, Peter Cantisani, Mike May, Bryan Bashin, Scott Blanks Front row: James Kubel, Jennifer Wood, Josh Miele, Tim Elder and BJ Epstein

LightHouse News

Free Tickets to World-Class Entertainment

The LightHouse has free tickets for the blind and visually impaired community and their partners/friends to a number of upcoming performances in July and August:

SFJazz:

ALL TICKETS CLAIMED Thursday, July 31, 7:30 p.m.
Chucho Valdés & the Afro-Cuban Messengers
Even in a country with a grand tradition of virtuosic pianists, Chucho Valdés stands alone, a towering figure who combines the sheer power of McCoy Tyner with the dexterity of Oscar Peterson and a rhythmic sensibility steeped in the intricacies of Afro-Cuban culture. With high quality graphics and sounds, our bingo and other games create the thrill and excitement that culminates in high player retention.

ALL TICKETS CLAIMED Thursday, August 7, 7:30 p.m.
CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band
This summer dance party is a Cajun-fueled bang as zydeco superstar C.J. Chenier brings his Red Hot Louisiana Band for a spicy night of Creole dance music.

 

To reserve tickets to any of the above listed events, please contact Alex Wilson at 415-694-7333 or giving@old.lighthouse-sf.org. Ticket availability is limited and on a first-come-first-served basis to LightHouse clients and blind and visually impaired individuals. Please direct all other questions about the events to the appropriate box office.

Tickets donated through the generosity of Michele Spitz/Woman of Her Word Charitable Voice Overs.

C.J. Chenier holding his accordion

 

LightHouse News

Team LightHouse Rides to Glory at Cycle for Sight

Thanks to everyone who rode or supported Enchanted Hills Camp through Cycle for Sight 2014. Over 2000 people rode for Enchanted Hills Camp and the California Veterans “Pathway Home Project.” We had a tremendous turnout of Team LightHouse participants this year with over 70 riders including twenty tandem teams. The weather was perfect, mild and fresh from the previous day’s rain.

Tony Fletcher rides tandem with stoker Sean Corritore
Camp Director Tony Fletcher said, “It was great to see Cycle for Sight first-timers train and complete the ride and then share their desire to return next year and even increase the distance of their ride. Blind and low vision people who do the ride learn that cycling is a viable medium not only for exercise but for social engagement.”

Marlene Dunaway’s First Cycle for Sight
70-something year-old Marlene Dunaway, who lives in Davis, California, signed up for the 25-mile ride and raised over $1000.00 in support of her ride. She is one of our first-timers and offers this unique perspective:

“Before I lost my vision, I never rode for speed, distance or competition. I would enjoy a leisurely ride to the park and around the neighborhood on a warm sunny day. After I lost vision I rode a few times on a tandem with my mobility instructor but this did not prepare me for how much I would enjoy the Cycle for Sight ride.

With the help of Tony Fletcher and North Coast North Coast Services Coordinator Ali Lee I connected with an experienced tandem captain Mark Walshand had my first experience as a blind stoker. Mark used to be a single bicycle racer and has ridden in hundreds of events. He is dedicated to cycling but had taken a break before getting back into it for Cycle for Sight. Now he is more enthusiastic than ever. Working with Mark catapulted me into the cycling world. I was exposed to a new vocabulary and wonderful tales of hazardous trips, near misses, mechanical failures and repair successes, and other related bike topics.

The first time I rode 25 miles my butt felt like it was a giant rock which I could barely move. Luckily my legs fared a whole lot better. As I developed my stamina, I began enjoying the wind on my face, the smell of the cows munching hay, the sound of roosters and dogs barking at the sheep or cars passing by. I loved the movement and speed, the wind and sun, and the feeling of freedom while I rode. I also loved participating actively [as a stoker] while chatting with my partner. Riding gave me a new feeling of independence and greater contact with the outside natural world. I began to feel the joy of cycling.Marlene Dunaway

After the Cycle for Sight ride I felt parts of my body I had never felt before but the supportive comments and authentic joy felt for me by my friends made it all worthwhile. Since the ride I have increased my distance to around 35 miles and don’t know how far I will go from here but as I zoom around a corner, glide quickly on a downhill area or pump like crazy on an uphill climb, I know I don’t want to stop.

Hats off to the Rotary Club of Napa who did a fantastic job organizing the event and making it easy for all of us to have a great day. I’m open to another cycling adventure and I’ll probably hop on and see where it
takes me and I definitely plan on riding
in next year’s Cycle for Sight event.

Team LightHouse Riders Featured in Napa Valley Register
North Coast North Coast Services Coordinator Ali Lee Ali Lee and blind camper Kaitlyn Westbrook are featured in the main photo of this Napa Valley Register article and Sergio Lopez and Rachel Grider are quoted.

 

 

 

 

 

LightHouse News

Providers Weekend Exceeds Expectations

For nearly 20 years the LightHouse has hosted a three-day gathering of professionals in our community, including new TVI’s (teachers of the visually impaired), O&M (Orientation & Mobility) Instructors, Program Managers and Adaptive Technology manufacturers for an engaging program of presentations mixed with opportunities for informal discussion, connection and friendship building.

This year’s goal was to bring in new blood and we succeeded far beyond our expectations with over 75% new attendees, mixing with committed returning participants. Within the relaxed setting of beautiful Enchanted Hills, old and new participants talked about the challenges of working in our field, bringing fresh perspectives and fresh questions to the table. People came from all over California and their differing viewpoints and allied with a number of different school systems.

In addition to fascinating presentations by blind journalist, poet and technologist Deborah Kendrick and solo, blind and intrepid traveler Dr. Zachary Shore, we offered wonderful meals, gentle exercise and nature strolls, swimming and an outdoor movie about blind youth.

“Just wanted to thank you again for the amazing weekend. Great people, amazing place and inspiring speakers – very grateful to have been able to take part. Thanks for everything.”
-Jennifer Hirsh, TVI/O&M, Monterey County Office of ED

Highlights

In a much-appreciated session called “What the Blindness Field Isn’t Talking About”, California Department of Rehabilitation Director Joe Xavier led a unique Town Hall-type discussion which encouraged the fruitful exchange of ideas and helped providers feel they were heard more clearly by the Department of Rehab.

LightHouse Board President Josh Miele and Director of Access to Information Services Greg Kehret excited the audience with news about our new and ready to distribute Talking Tactile maps: maps of all the Bay Area BART station that “talk” thanks to Smartpen technology. This was followed by a hands-on demonstration as treasure seekers used tactile maps and Smartpens to find bottles of wine.

Wine connoisseur Hoby Wedler, a graduate student in chemistry at U.C. Davis, led a blind wine tasting, taking the group through the process of how to understand the nuances of various fine Napa wines. His background in chemistry helped frame the discussion and he offered suggestions on pairing food and wine while making the link between chemistry and wine making.

Thanks to all who attended. It was gratifying to witness the passion of those who have been at it for many years along with the refreshing input from those newer to the game, including some folks our longer-time professionals had mentored. There was a general sense of joy, camaraderie and bonding based on shared experiences, shared successes and dealing with challenges. The response and enthusiasm for the event has us looking forward to doing it again soon.

LightHouse News

A Gift That Lives On

There are many reasons to make a bequest. A bequest allows you to honor a loved one, while providing critical support to an organization. Giving by bequest costs nothing now, yet it may give you a great deal of satisfaction to know that your future gift will live on, promoting independence, self-reliance and confidence for blind and visually impaired individuals for years to come.

The lasting impact of bequests-both large and small-has helped shape the LightHouse for the Blind into what it is today. For many friends of the LightHouse, a charitable bequest is the easiest and best way to make a gift. By means of your will or other estate plan, you can name LightHouse for the Blind or Enchanted Hills Camp as the beneficiary of a portion of your estate, or of particular assets in your estate. Many of the most powerful gifts with an enduring impact have been bequests.

Even last month we received the latest gift of enduring love – a $906,000 bequest from Agnes Cole to be used to help support LightHouse programs over the long term.

If you would like to make a bequest to make a lasting difference, read more about leaving a legacy to the LightHouse.

You can also read our new LightHouse Planned Giving Guide. We are deeply grateful for your support.

Cover of LightHouse Planned Giving Guide