6th annual Dining in the Dark a success!
To the editor:
The 6th Annual Dining in the Dark fundraiser was held under the stars on April 9 at Mike Greenwell’s 31 Produce in Alva, Florida. Benefiting the Lighthouse of SWFL, a non-profit vision rehabilitation center serving individuals in Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties, the farm to table “country affair” was a unique and memorable evening for the 400-plus participants.
Upon arrival to the Lighthouse of SWFL’s signature fundraiser, guests were treated to a country fair atmosphere complete with carnival games, carriage rides with the Clydesdales, photo opportunities, and a kissing booth manned by Dallas the Donkey, all with one caveat – attempt the activities while blindfolded. Former Boston Red Sox player and host of the event, Mike Greenwell even joined in the fun and festivities by hitting baseballs blindfolded.
As darkness descended onto the evening, guests were corralled to the main event, emceed by NBC-2’s morning news anchor Rachel Pierce. Guests dined blindfolded on delicious farm-grown vegetables and locally-raised barbecue while families took the stage to recognize the crucial role the Lighthouse of SWFL performs in providing programs and services to children and babies living with vision impairment and blindness.
We have received many thank yous.
“We are so grateful for the services, staff, and clients of the Lighthouse,” one parent, Olivia Muoz, told us. “They have taught us as parents of a visually impaired child that individuals with blindness see things differently than sighted individuals. They see with touch, smell, hearing, and devices, such as the white cane, therefore, blindness does not limit dreams or future goals.”
The Lighthouse of SWFL would like to thank our sponsors for their significant contributions to the success of the evening, which far exceeded any other Dining in the Dark ever held. Thank you to The Palms of Fort Myers, Eye Associates of Fort Myers, the Southwest Florida Optometric Association (SWFOA), Nurse on Call, Brookdale at Home, Gorovoy M.D. Eye Specialists, Schlager, Schlager & Levin, Cape Coral Rotary, Snead Eye Group, RE/MAX Destination Realty, Malkani Retina Center, BB&T Insurance Services Oswald Trippe & Company, and NBC-2. Lighthouse of SWFL., is a 501(c)3 United Way Partner that is also partially funded by the Division of Blind Services, Lee County Government and other private donors.
Lighthouse of SWFL’s mission is to enable people of all ages living with a visual impairment or blindness to remain independent, active and productive in society.
Doug Fowler,
Executive director
Lighthouse of SWFL