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FFB Chapters Drive the Success of Visionary Awards Dinners

“Dining in the Dark made me very aware and grateful for my vision,” says April Lufriu, president of the Tampa chapter of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. “I had no idea how difficult it would be to eat a meal without seeing!” April LuFriu and her sister, Melissa Escobio Similar reactions are happening across the country as a result of several Dining in the Dark fundraisers that were hosted by the Foundation Fighting Blindness over the past year. The inaugural Tampa Dining in the Dark, which took place on March 9, 2010, was an amazing success. “It was such a privilege to be one of the evening’s guest speakers,” remembers April. “I shared the story of my sister and children being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. I didn’t realize that I brought so many people to tears. It was the most memorable part of the dinner for me.” The Dining in the Dark fundraisers are a part of the Foundation’s Visionary Awards Dinners, which honor select business and community leaders, renowned medical professionals, and generous philanthropists. Thirteen dinners were planned for this year, two of which have yet to take place. Hal Barron, M.D., Janni Lehrer-Stein, Gordon Gund, Jacque Duncan, M.D., Llura Gund, Stephen McLeod, M.D., and Warren Thaler “For me, the Dining in the Dark event is the best explanation of the Foundation’s mission,” says National Trustee Janni Lehrer-Stein, president of the San Francisco Chapter and chair of the San Francisco Dining in the Dark that took place on May 11, 2010. “The dinner serves the dual purposes of raising the critically-needed funds for research and raising true awareness. People are curious to know how it feels to be blind.” Successful dinners are a collaborative effort of hard work and dedication from dinner committees, chapter leadership, honorees, and the Foundation’s staff. Ultimately, the chapters and their leadership play a major role in the success -- they make suggestions for and secure honorees from their communities, excitedly promote the event and raise the funds needed for critical retinal disease research. “Getting to the fundraising goal was the greatest challenge,” says National Trustee Jason Morris, St. Louis chapter president and co-chair of the St. Louis Dining in the Dark. “Fortunately, our honorees provided a substantial list of contacts and some outstanding auction items Jason & Leslie Morris with honoree, John Mozeliak as well.” The inaugural St. Louis Dining in the Dark on May 5, 2010 was a tremendous success. “The whole process was rewarding, but the evening itself as a culmination of our work gave me a terrific sense of accomplishment,” says Jason, who is already excited about planning the event for next year. Thanks to the work of the Foundation’s many strong chapters, more than $3.7 million has been raised through dinner fundraisers so far this year and the Foundation is poised to continue that success in the years to come. Congratulations to everyone who played a part in these incredible achievements! Baltimore Visionary Awards Dinner – September 29, 2009 Honoring Arthur & Patricia Modell and Bruce & Bonnie Sawyer Dinner Chair: Morton Goldberg, M.D. Northern Virginia Dining in the Dark – December 1, 2009 Honoring Mark Johnson and the Honorable William Sessions Dinner Chairs: Jody Kelly and Donna Burke Tehaan New York Dining in the Dark – January 28, 2010 Honoring Rando Allikmets, Ph.D., and Reuven Spiegel Dinner Chairs: Jordan Lichtenstein and Iris Spiegel Tampa Bay Dining in the Dark – March 9, 2010 Honoring James P. Gills, M.D., and Stephen K. Klasko, M.D., M.B.A. Orange County Dining in the Dark – March 25, 2010 Honoring Gavin S. Herbert and Roger F. Steinert, M.D. Dinner Chairs: William J. Link, Ph.D. and Jim Mazzo Dallas Dining in the Dark – April 8, 2010 Honoring Millie & Kenneth H. Cooper, M.D., M.P.H., and Margo & Jim Keyes Dinner Chairs: The Honorable Pete Sessions, Ebby Haliday Acers, and Roger Horchow For the Love of Sight Dinner (DC) – February 11, 2010* Honoring John Willard “Bill” Marriott, Jr. Dinner Chairs: Bill & Colleen Carty, Gordon & Llura Gund, Carlos & Edilia Gutierrez, Tom & Ann Korologos, and Ken Rietz & Ursula Landsrath Richmond Dining in the Dark -- April 29, 2010 Honoring Byron Ladd, M.D., and Paul & Diane Manning Dinner Chair: Megan Mudd St. Louis Dining in the Dark -- May 5, 2010 Honoring Michael Kass, M.D., and John Mozeliak Dinner Chairs: Jason Morris and Jack Wiedmer San Francisco Dining in the Dark -- May 11, 2010 Honoring Hal Barron, M.D., and Stephen McLeon, M.D. Dinner Chair: Janni Lehrer-Stein Los Angeles Dining in the Dark – May 18, 2010 Honoring Bartly J. Mondino, M.D., and Bradley R. Straatsma, M.D., J.D. Philadelphia Dining in the Dark – June 3, 2010 Honoring Stuart Fine, M.D., and Alan Laties, M.D. Dinner Chairs: Edward & Pamela Babin San Diego Dining in the Dark – June 10, 2010 Honoring Michael House Dinner Chair: Trish Murnighan *The For the Love of Sight Dinner was cancelled in February due to weather conditions. A subsequent luncheon was scheduled for April 27, 2010.

 

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