White Cane Act Float-a-thon raises funds and awareness
Organizer Doreen King and local volunteers Wilma Peterson and Roger Weaver recently floated all day for donations at North Fort Myers Community Pool to raise awareness of the White Cane Act.
The White Cane Act gives visually impaired individuals the right-of-way when crossing the street with a white cane.
With pledges from pennies to dollars for how long they floated, King said funds raised will go to the Florida Council For the Blind Southwest Chapter for awareness efforts of the act.
“There are over 3,000 legally blind people in Lee County,” she said. “My concern is that very few people know what a white cane means.”
This is the third year King has floated for funds. Legally blind herself, she also takes part in White Cane Act street crossings each year in October. “Hopefully we have educated people on the fact we are legally blind if we have a white cane.”
She said local law enforcement is also promoting the cause. “When we had our street crossing on October 15,; one lady was crossing the lane and another in a car didn’t stop. Our lady made it – and the driver got stopped and a $159 ticket. The driver said she did not know about the act.”
The danger to blind individuals is high with the lack of knowledge. “I am appalled everyday on that. We have people in the hospital for this. Many do not have a clue.”
She also helps educate young members of the community. “We are now going into schools to let students know what it is like to be blind.”
King said another goal she and others are pursing is petitioning the state legislature to make The White Cane Act – or at least one question about it – part of all driver’s license tests.
One volunteer trained for months for the event. “Wilma Peterson has done a super job,” said King.
Peterson is not blind, but does have a disability. She lost both of her legs to health-related issues, and had not been swimming for five years before training for the event.
The pool has a special lift that Peterson uses to get in and out of the water.
“We use it (the lift) often,” said Senior Aquatics Specialist Christie Davis of the pool.
King also enjoys being part of the local Lion’s Club, with the Lions contributing to many sight-related causes.
New members are invited to join the club. The club meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at noon at All Star Lanes in North Fort Myers.
For more information on the White Cane Act or the local Lions Club, call King at 217-0174.