Dear Friends,
We’re extremely grateful to you, our wonderful clients, as we celebrate Lighthouse of Broward’s 50th anniversary year. You make all of our efforts worthwhile as we provide services and programming that help empower individuals who are blind and visually impaired of all ages. Your success energizes us and spurs us on to serve another 125,000 people over the next 50 years.
This anniversary year, we’ve been extremely busy, as always!
We hosted a fabulous Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt event, complete with beeping eggs, for approximately 50 of our blind and visually impaired youth plus their families. Kids loved the egg hunt (of course!), and enjoyed face painting, games, a bounce house and catered lunch. It was a beautiful day in the sunshine!
We also held a Family Literacy event in partnership with the Florida Panther Foundation to help our parents and their children with low vision build literacy skills in Braille. The event provided information for parents on emergent literacy trends including how to integrate braille into their child’s environment and build fine motor skills. Plus, we had a Braille Book Fair, story time with author Sherria Elliot, and crafts including making Braille bookmarks and book bags. Literacy obviously is key – and we were excited to offer this informative and fun program.
This wonderful programming for kids and individuals of all ages who are blind and visually impaired is generously supported by our community through fabulous fundraising events.
One annual event that we love is Heroes: A Benefit Concert for the Blind, which was hosted last month by American Heritage Schools, a great partner of the Lighthouse. The highlight of Heroes was electrifying rock performances by Bon Jovi and Journey tribute bands. The crowd went wild! It truly was a blast.
Coming up is our signature fundraiser, Dining in the Dark, slated for November 10th, and generously hosted by The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach. Lighthouse of Broward’s 50th Golden Anniversary at Dining in the Dark once again will feature an authentic sensory experience with guests wearing blindfolds during dinner in a virtually dark dining room. Plus, the event will offer an intriguing “Sensory Walk” immersion room, special awards presentations, live entertainment and dancing. In addition to an exciting silent auction, our live auction will feature a 7-Day Holland America Cruise. We’re enthusiastically looking forward to our 50th anniversary gala spectacular!
As I mentioned previously, we’re planning to move into expanded offices in Sunrise to accommodate additional programming, enhanced learning opportunities and more space for our clients. Our new building – and all of our efforts – better position us to provide the leadership, services, advocacy, and the resources necessary that enhance the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired. We’ll keep you posted as our plans move forward!
Thank you so much for being a part of the Lighthouse of Broward family. We appreciate you.
Sincerely,
Ellyn Drotzer, MSW, LCSW
President and CEO
Upcoming Important Information & Dates
July 4, 2023 (Tuesday): The Lighthouse is closed for Independence Day.
September 4, 2023 (Monday): The Lighthouse is closed for Labor Day.
We're ecstatic to offer in-person social groups and activities at the Lighthouse of Broward once more. If you have any suggestions for new groups, please contact the front desk at 954-463-4217, ext. 0.
LHOB Social Groups and Activities
Baking with Joel will meet Tuesday, August 1st & 15th, and September 5th & 19th from 10:00am-2:00pm. During each session, clients learn techniques to improve their baking skills. This program has limited space. RSVP at 954-463-4217 ext. 0.
In person Trivia Group: Friday, August 4th and September 1st from 10am-12pm. When raucous laughter is heard in the halls of the Lighthouse, you can be sure it’s coming from the trivia group. Questions on a variety of subjects are read by a volunteer, and anyone who thinks they have the answer is free to call it out. Please RSVP at 954-463-4217 ext. 0.
Lighthouse Book Club will meet 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in Dining Room on Friday, August 25th and September 29th. For more information, please contact Ellen Meyers at 954-922-7360.
July- No book club
August 25, 2023: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, 17.1, Family (Classic), DB44769.
September 29, 2023: Labor Day by Joyce Maynard, 8.12, Family, Growing Up, Bestseller, DB78426.
Descriptive movies: Join us for a movie, popcorn, and treats. The movies will be shown in the Boardroom and will start at 10:00a.m. Please RSVP at 954-463-4217 ext 0.
July- No movie
August 11th- Like Father
After she’s left at the altar, a workaholic advertising executive ends up on her Caribbean honeymoon cruise with her estranged father.
September 8th- Love in the Villa
Julie’s dream trip to Verona, Italy turns star-crossed when she discovers her rented villa is already occupied by an annoyingly attractive stranger.
Networking Group: A group for individuals to discuss employment related topics, share job leads and experiences, refresh their skills, and connect with others. Meets quarterly, in person from 1:00PM to 2:00 PM. As refreshments will be offered, RSVPs are recommended. Contact 954-463-4217 Ext. 156 (Saely Quezada) or ext. 120 (Becky Sprick) for questions and RSVPs. The next Networking Group is scheduled for Tuesday, August 15th.
Support for Past and Present LHOB Clients:
Every Wednesday from 1:00-2:00. This support group is to help participants manage anxiety related to isolation that has occurred during this difficult time of social distancing. Instructors will discuss strategies for dealing with stress and anxiety. Members of this group can connect; share their experiences, coping strategies, and their strength and hope.
Join the call: https://www.uberconference.com/room/lhobsupport
Optional dial-in number: 954-451-0380
No PIN needed.
International Access Numbers: https://www.uberconference.com/international
For more information, contact Elaine Schiffman at 954-463-4217 EXT. 131 or eschiffman@LHOB.org.
October 20th-White Cane Day Celebration
Dania Beach Lions Club (501 SW. 4th Ave Dania Beach FL 33004) 11:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M. Join us for lunch, games, and raffles. Event is open to current and past clients. Clients are welcome to bring one adult guest.
RSVP by October 4th: Front Desk at 954-463-4217 ext 0. Space is limited.