Santa Barbara, CA (Dec. 7, 2012) — The Foundation Fighting Blindness, a national nonprofit focused on vision-saving research, will honor former Westmont College President David Winter, and Braille Institute Community Leader Mary Romo, with Visionary Awards at the inaugural Santa Barbara Dining in the Dark. The unique fundraiser, taking place Thursday, Jan. 24, at the Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort, will give diners a first-hand glimpse into the lives of the blind by challenging guests to eat their entrée in complete blackness. Proceeds will benefit the Foundation Fighting Blindness’ sight-saving research efforts toward preventions, treatments and cures for retinal diseases including macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.
The unforgettable Dining in the Dark awareness experience will last approximately 30 minutes, while visually impaired servers, many from the Braille Institute trained especially for the event, share their stories and use a system of ropes and stanchions to help guests navigate this new culinary journey of heightened smell, sound, taste and touch. Created in Germany, Dining in the Dark is a one-of-a kind concept that has been enjoyed by many people across Europe before moving to America in 2005.
“Reactions to Dining in the Dark are truly powerful, I think, because people generally don’t realize the challenges of living daily with low to no vision,” says Dining in the Dark Visionary Award Honoree Dr. David Winter, who lost almost all of his vision suddenly some 15 years ago when his optic nerves failed to function. “I’m thrilled to support research that offers hope to the more than 10 million Americans dealing with retinal diseases.”
Dr. Winter, former president of both Westmont College, and the new Providence Hall High School, will be recognized for his professional and scholarly accomplishments, the recipient of five honorary doctorates in addition to his earned doctorate, his extensive community leadership, and his strong support of the fight against blindness. Despite the loss of his sight the last three years of his presidency, he led Westmont for 25 years as the college earned increasing national recognition for its academic quality, training in servant-leadership, and thriving Christian community.
Also receiving the Foundation’s Visionary Award will be Mary Romo, who is affected with a juvenile form of macular degeneration. She has a 30-year history with the Braille Institute as a student and volunteer, working to help others cope with vision impairment. A retired public school speech and language pathologist, Romo’s community leadership includes La Vista, the Braille Institute Auxiliary, and Friends of the Santa Barbara Library. She still has strong ties to local education as a school volunteer, and her husband John Romo is the former president of Santa Barbara City College.
Dining in the Dark honorary co-chairs include a number of Santa Barbara-area leaders:
- Sue and Ed Birch
- Zora and Les Charles
- Christine and Robert Emmons
- Eva and Yoel Haller
- Kathy Ireland and Greg Olsen
- Joan and Palmer Jackson
- Gerd and Peter Jordano
- Peter MacDougall
- Natalie and Bruce McFadden
- Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree
- Maryan and Dick Schall
- Anne and Michael Towbes
- Mary and Ron Werft
Individual tickets are available for $250 each and sponsorship packages begin at $1,000. For ticket and sponsorship information, contact Regional Director of Events Jennifer Hecker at
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or (310) 450-2910. To request media credentials to attend Dining in the Dark, or to coordinate an interview with an event spokesperson, contact Allie Gebhardt at 410-423-0643 or
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| What: |
Santa Barbara Dining in the Dark, Benefiting the Foundation Fighting Blindness |
| Where: |
Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort
633 East Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, CA
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| When: |
Thursday, Jan. 24, 201
6 p.m. - Cocktail Reception
7 p.m. - Award Presentations
8:15 p.m. - Lights Out for Dining in the Dark
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About Foundation Fighting Blindness
The Foundation Fighting Blindness is a national nonprofit driving research that will lead to preventions, treatments and cures for retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases that affect more than 10 million Americans. Since 1971, the Foundation has raised more than $500 million as the leading non-governmental funder of retinal research. Breakthrough Foundation-funded studies using gene therapy have restored significant vision in children and young adults who were previously blind, paving the way for using this method to treat a variety of retinal degenerative diseases, and proving a cure is in sight. With a network of nearly 50 chapters, the Foundation also provides support and resources to affected individuals and their families in communities across the country.
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