On Saturday, December 6, 2008 the Foundation Fighting Blindness welcomed 110 guests at the Carolina Inn for the 3rd Annual Holiday Blind Wine Tasting.

The Foundation Fighting Blindness hosted its inaugural New York Dining in the Dark Visionary Award Dinner on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at the Ritz-Carlton, Battery Park.  The event’s Visionary Award recipients, David M. Fastenberg, M.D., founding partner of Long Island and Queens Vitreoretinal Consultants, and Richard Schaeffer, retired chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange, were recognized for their outstanding contributions and commitment to the New York community and the Foundation’s urgent mission to drive research that will put an end to retinal degenerative diseases. More than 275 of the most distinguished business and community leaders from New York City joined us for an evening that raised more than $320,000 for critical research.

More than 200 community and business leaders attended FFB’s inaugural Baltimore Dining in the Dark Visionary Awards Dinner at the Baltimore Waterfront Marriott on November 21, 2008 to experience a highly memorable journey of taste, sound, and touch, all in the darkness of a packed ballroom.

Sunday, November 9, 2008 marked the 3rd Annual Fort Lauderdale VisionWalk! As the sun was rising and Volunteers were still busy putting finishing touches on what proved to be an outstanding event, 350 participants started trickling in to enjoy themselves. The fanfare included everything from a breakfast spread and snacks provided by Publix Supermarkets to an amazing face painter and clown, bounce house and slide. The DJ played walk tunes and invited everyone to gather round for the Team Spirit Contest. The winner of the Team Spirit prizes went to the Retinal Transformers Team who won best Team T-shirt.

Co-Chairs, Kimberly Grimm and Melissa Rees

Over 200 Central Florida residents came out on Saturday, November 22, 2008 in support of the Orlando Chapter’s 12th Annual Dancing in the Dark benefiting the Foundation Fighting Blindness. It was an evening to remember for all; beautiful décor, delicious food, plentiful wine, live entertainment and many exciting raffles. There was something for everyone to enjoy.

Chaired by Sharyn & Glen Davidson

Saturday, November 1, 2008 marked the first ever Tallahassee VisionWalk!  The cool weather for the Volunteers to set up at 6 AM soon turned into a glorious sunny day where over 350 participants came out to enjoy themselves.   Children enjoyed the amazing face painter and clown, bounce house and slide, while others helped themselves to breakfast snacks and food provided by Publix Supermarkets.  DJ Johnny played “These Boots Were Made for Walking”, “Walk Like an Egyptian” and other great Walk tunes.  Blythe Newsome, Co-Host of the 107.1 Magic Morning Show, lent her radio voice to round up the troops and welcome everyone to the wonderful event.  She then handed out Team Spirit prizes to the Magnolia Girls Team who won best Team T-shirt.

The Memphis VisionWalk was a huge success! Over 200 walkers joined us at Overton Park on October 18, 2008. Everyone attending VisionWalk was truly doing their part to help raise funds for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. In its first year the Memphis VisionWalk raised over $40,000!