Other Events
Events by Year:
2012
2011
2010
2009 2008
Miami Marlins Community Foundation hosts 50/50 raffle
for Miami Lighthouse Students Legislative
Session
On April 18th the Miami Marlins Community Foundation
hosted a 50/50 raffle to raise funds for the Miami Lighthouse Music and
Transition student trip to Universal Studios over the summer. The students
raised funds and handed out Miami Lighthouse brochures to patrons
attending the Marlins game and were able to watch the Marlins claim
victory over the Chicago Cubs 9-1. The Miami Lighthouse summer camp
students would like to send a special thank you to the Miami Marlins
Community Foundation for making this wonderful night possible.
Miami Lighthouse Better Chance Music Production
Program™ graduate Natalia Sulca Helps Kick-off the 2012 Legislative
Session
Natalia Sulca performed in Tallahassee at the State
Capitol on January 10th 2012 at the invitation of Senator Nan Rich and
sang “God Bless the USA” for the opening of session in the Senate. Natalia,
19, is a graduate of the nationally recognized Miami Lighthouse for the
Blind Better Chance Music Production Program. Natalia currently attends
Berklee College of Music in Boston and has recently performed at the
Discover Orange Bowl.
On January 4th Natalia Sulca was invited by The Orange
Bowl Committee to kickoff the pre-game festivities at the 2012 Discover
Orange Bowl. Natalia sang “God Bless the USA” a song written by country
musician Lee Greenwood in front of an estimated crowd of over 70,000.
Natalia said, “I am honored that the Orange Bowl Committee selected me to
sing such a meaningful song in front of a great audience.” Agustin
Arellano, Jr., member of the Orange Bowl Committee and board member of the
Miami Lighthouse said, “I am very excited to bring these two organizations
with rich traditions in the community together, and I am extremely happy
Natalia was selected to perform.” The background music was recorded at the
Miami Lighthouse Henry and Inez Stone Music & Sound Studio by Miami
Lighthouse music students, Music Engineer Antonio Cobo, and Music Director
Harold Cobo.
Edward Boland, right, President of the Lions Club of Miami
presented a $3,000 check on May 5th to Nelba Gonzalez, Coordinator of Arts
& Crafts/SGA, and Cameron Sisser, Manager of External Relations,
representing the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind. The Lions annual donation
is a contribution to the persons with sight disabilities and blindness of
the Miami-Dade community that receive services from the Miami Lighthouse.
The Miami Lighthouse thanks the Lions Club of Miami for their continued
support.
On March 17th Miami Lighthouse for the Blind Better Chance
Music Production Program™ students performed in front of over 200
individuals taking part in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Naturalization Ceremony. The students performed the National Anthem, God
Bless the USA, Coming to America and I’m Yours a song by Jason Mraz.
On March 16th the Miami Lighthouse celebrated their Spring
Festival with the support of Credit Suisse and Hands on Miami. Hands on
Miami provided an activity for the children which included painting and
decorating flower pots and later planting flowers and herbs in the pots.
At the end of the festival the volunteers from Credit Suisse and Hands on
Miami had a shared reading session with the children. Thank you Credit
Suisse and Hands on Miami for your involvement with our programs.
Michael A. Silva, Esq. Named Chairman Of The Miami
Lighthouse
Board Of Directors At Annual Meeting
Michael A. Silva, Esq. was installed as Chairman of the
Miami Lighthouse Board of Directors at its annual meeting January 26th at
the Kelley Roy Gallery. Mr. Silva has served two terms on the Miami
Lighthouse Board of Directors and previously provided pro bono legal
counsel, including revisions to bylaws and other board governance issues.
"It is our pleasure to welcome Michael into this
leadership position at Miami Lighthouse," said outgoing Board Chairman
Owen S. Freed, Esq. "We look forward to working with him over the next two
years as Miami Lighthouse fulfills its goals as a Center of Excellence in
Low Vision and Vision Rehabilitation."
"Michael's pro bono counsel and guidance as a Board
Director has been such a blessing to us in recent years," said Miami
Lighthouse President and CEO Virginia A. Jacko. "His forward-thinking
leadership will help us accelerate our progress as we serve ever more
people in this community."
Mr. Silva is a Tax Partner with Hunton & Williams LLP. His
practice focuses on international tax law, estate planning and
representation of foreign investors and banks. He has been selected as one
of "Florida's Legal Elite," a listing of the state's top 1.7% of "lawyers
held in the highest regard," by Florida Trend Magazine three years in a
row, and was named among the top lawyers in Florida by Florida Super
Lawyers Magazine. He also was named one of the "Top Up and Comers in South
Florida" for tax law by the South Florida Legal Guide. Mr. Silva graduated
from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and the Fisher School
of Accounting. He is a Certified Public Accountant and certified by the
Florida Bar in Tax Law and International Law. In 1993, he served as
Judicial Clerk for the Honorable Allen J. Kornblum, Probate Division of
Circuit Court, Miami.
More than 70 professionals attended the Interdisciplinary Approaches to
Low Vision Across the Life Span Seminar at Miami Lighthouse on November 6.
The continuing education seminar held for occupational therapists,
physical therapists and nurses was offered through a collaboration of
Miami Lighthouse with Florida International University College of Nursing
and Health Sciences thanks to Alma R. Abdel-Moty, Chairperson of the FIU
Department of Occupational Therapy. The Health Foundation of South Florida
provided partial underwriting for the event.
Keynote speaker Tara A. Cortes, PhD, RN, FAAN spoke to guests on the topic
of our aging population and the prevalence of low vision. Other guest
speakers included Amy McKenzie, Ed.D., Florida State University; Jeanette
S. Leonard, M.A., CCC-SLP/A, Purdue University; Lisa Roberts, DPT, PT GCS,
Florida International University; as well as Rosemary Gonzalez, O.D.,
P.A., Consulting Optometrist at Miami Lighthouse.
Eight-time Grammy Award winner José Feliciano delighted more than 20
aspiring blind and sighted musicians in the Better Chance Music Production
Program™ when he visited them at the Miami Lighthouse Henry and Inez Stone
Music and Sound Studio on November 18th.
Click here to view an article
that appeared in the Miami Herald about Jose Feliciano’s visit.
Dade County Optometric
Association Meeting Held
at Miami Lighthouse on October 25th
More than 40 members of the Dade County Optometric
Association (DCOA) attended their monthly General Meeting held at Miami
Lighthouse on October 25th. They were welcomed by Miami Lighthouse
President and CEO Virginia Jacko, Miami Lighthouse Board Director and DCOA
Adjunct Board Member Dr. Alan P. Levitt, and DCOA President Dr. Maria
Carmen Perez-Blanco. Dr. Rosemary Gonzalez, Miami Lighthouse Low Vision
Consulting Optometrist, presented “A Low Vision Case Study” focusing on
the importance of low vision assessments. Attending DCOA members received
one hour of continuing education credit. Dinner was generously sponsored
by Essilor Laboratories of America.
To make an appointment for a low vision assessment at Miami Lighthouse
please call 786-362-7479.
Marriott World Wide Call Center
Hires
Five Miami Lighthouse Job Readiness Program Graduates
To learn more about Miami Lighthouse Job Readiness Program, please listen
to the following testimonies. If you are unable to open the audio files,
check the status bar at the top of the screen and click on "Run Active X".
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and
Miami Lighthouse Collaboration
Living with Low Vision Seminar
On September 30, fifty seniors interested in age-related eye disease
attended a free seminar “Living with Low Vision” co-hosted by Bascom
Palmer Eye Institute and Miami Lighthouse held in the Retter Auditorium at
BPEI. Board Director and Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology Dr.
Sander Dubovy presented "New Treatments for Macular Degeneration," and
President and CEO Virginia Jacko told participants about her vision
rehabilitation at the Miami Lighthouse. Maria Fernandez, low vision
occupational therapist, spoke to the group about our new in-home services
and the importance of a low vision assessment. Carol Brady-Simmons,
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist and Director of Programs
gave a demonstration of sighted-guide assistance for someone with low
vision. To make an appointment for a low vision assessment at Miami
Lighthouse please call 786-362-7479.
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Ophthalmologists
Visit Miami Lighthouse
More than 20 ophthalmology faculty and residents from Bascom Palmer Eye
Institute gathered for an informative evening at Miami Lighthouse on
August 25th. Guests were welcomed in our newly opened Low Vision Center
and Solutions Store and then participated in personalized tours showcasing
the variety of vision rehabilitation programs available at Miami
Lighthouse. Board Chair Owen Freed introduced Dr. Sander Dubovy, Miami
Lighthouse Board Director, who spoke to guests about Bascom Palmer’s long
tradition of collaboration with Miami Lighthouse. Dr. Rosemary Gonzalez,
Miami Lighthouse Consulting Optometrist, and Maria Fernandez, Miami
Lighthouse Occupational Therapist- Low Vision Services, presented low
vision case study. The program concluded with CEO Virginia Jacko speaking
on “A Partnership in Transforming Lives.” The event was presented by
Eduardo C. Alfonso, Professor and Chairman of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
and Virginia A. Jacko, President and CEO of the Miami Lighthouse.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Superintendent
Alberto M. Carvalho
Visits Miami Lighthouse
Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Alberto M. Carvalho,
visited the Miami Lighthouse on July 26. He began his tour by visiting one
of the three Heiken Children’s Vision Program mobile eye care units that
have provided eye exams and glasses to over 40,000 low-income students in
Miami-Dade County. Carvalho met with the Transition program students ages
14 to 22 as they introduced themselves and spoke about the schools they
attend. He related to the students as he spoke about their Miami-Dade
County School experiences, as he had once been principal or vice principal
at several of the children’s schools.
He admired many of the ceramic art pieces created by Miami Lighthouse
clients in the Social Group Activities (SGA) program. Virginia Jacko and
Nelba Gonzalez presented a ceramic lighthouse business card holder, which
he gratefully accepted.
Miami Lighthouse Music Program students performed two songs for the
Superintendent, one being the students’ favorite song, “I’m Yours” by
Jason Mraz, and the other “Proud to be an American” by Lee Greenwood. The
tour concluded with President and CEO Virginia Jacko demonstrating how the
blind and visually impaired learn to navigate a computer at Miami
Lighthouse.
Blind Babies Program children
participate in
Miami-Dade Public Library System Make-a-Bookmark Contest
Since 2003 Miami Lighthouse for the Blind Little Lighthouse program and
the Miami-Dade Public Library System have teamed up for the
Make-a-Bookmark Contest. The contest encourages participating children and
their families to read books. All children in the Miami Lighthouse Blind
Babies program who take part in the contest are recognized as winners for
their participation and creativity.
Click here to see bookmarks created by
Miami Lighthouse Blind Babies program participants.
Click here to see bookmarks created by
Miami Lighthouse Blind Babies program participants featured on the
Miami-Dade Public Library System Facebook page.
Miami Lighthouse Honors Board
Director Ray Casas and
Client/Volunteer Hugo Meneses
at Leave A Legacy/Donor Next Door Recognition Luncheon
At the Leave A legacy/Donor Next Door Luncheon Miami Lighthouse honored
Board Director Ray Casas and Miami Lighthouse client and volunteer Hugo
Meneses.
Board Director Casas was recognized for his 18 years of service to the
Miami Lighthouse in key leadership positions on the Board of Directors
since 1992, including 10 years on the Executive Committee and his current
position as Chairman of the External Relations Committee as well as for
the pro bono services provided by his public relations firm. Wragg and
Casas’ services include drafting and distribution of news releases, media
relations and counsel on communications issues. Ray has provided important
communications services and counsel throughout the years as a volunteer.
Hugo Meneses, a Miami Lighthouse client since 2003, received recognition
as an extraordinary advocate for the blind and visually impaired. He has
collaborated actively in raising funds for the Miami Lighthouse’s “White
Cane Day” event, and in 2008 he was the individual who obtained the
largest number of pledges. Each year he also solicits donations from the
community in support of the event. Hugo is a member of the “UCHEU” (Union
de Ciegos Hispanos en los Estados Unidos), a non-profit that organizes
recreational activities for the blind such as picnics, parties and field
trips. Because of his many relationships in the community, Miami
Lighthouse clients have meals that are more nutritious.
Miami Lighthouse Annual Board
Meeting
The Board of Directors of Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually
Impaired, Inc. held its annual meeting at the Key Biscayne residence of
Michael Silva, Esq., on January 27th. Mr. Silva has served in
several Board governance roles for Miami Lighthouse, previously as Board
Performance Oversight and Monitoring Committee Chairman and as Treasurer.
The fifty attendees at the annual meeting included Board Directors,
Honorary Directors, members of the Heiken Children's Vision Program
Advisory Committee, the senior leadership team of Miami Lighthouse, and
Miami Lighthouse friends including the legendary Henry Stone, a
former client and producer of 23 Gold and Platinum albums.
Click here to read more.
Miami Lighthouse Hosts
Miami Ophthalmological Society December Meeting
On December 10, 2009, the Miami Lighthouse hosted a meeting of the Miami
Ophthalmological Society. Attendees were welcomed by CEO Virginia Jacko
and Dr. Henry Trattler, Executive Director of the Miami Ophthalmological
Society, and heard a testimonial from MLB low vision client Wendell Beard.
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Ophthalmologists Visit Miami Lighthouse
Over 40
Ophthalmologists from Bascom Palmer Eye Institute gathered for an
informative evening at Miami Lighthouse on August 26th. Moving
testimonials were given by Gert Stein and Furious Berrain, both former
clients and current volunteers at Miami Lighthouse. In addition, Dr.
Sander Dubovy, Miami Lighthouse Board Director and Dr. Craig McKeown,
Miami Lighthouse Heiken Children’s Vision Program Advisory Committee
Member, spoke to guests about their involvement with the Lighthouse.
Following the program, guests received personalized tours of the modern
37,000 square foot facility and our variety of programs. The event was
hosted by Eduardo C. Alfonso, Professor & Chairman of Bascom Palmer Eye
Institute and Virginia A. Jacko, President & CEO of the Lighthouse.
Miami Lighthouse Celebrates
Community Leader Donna R. Blaustein, Esq. As 2009 “Woman Of Vision”
On June 16th,
community leader Donna R. Blaustein, Esq. was named Miami Lighthouse for
the Blind’s 2009 Woman of Vision in recognition of her many years of
dedication and support of the Miami Lighthouse mission. The prestigious
award was presented at the third annual Women of Vision Luncheon at Miami
Lighthouse on June 16th. More than 85 of South Florida’s most
distinguished female leaders attended this luncheon, generously
underwritten by Walter and Terri Shikany and co-hosted by Carmen
Betancourt-Lewis, Carmen Bishopric, Shelley Beckwith Rutherford, Nancy
Jean Davis, Pam Garrison, Norma Quintero & Terri Shikany.
The Miami Lighthouse
Woman of Vision award was established in 2007 to honor notable female
philanthropists in our community. Past Woman of Vision honorees include
Philanthropist Gloria Martin in 2007 and Philanthropist Jean Ellen du Pont
Shehan in 2008. Awardees are presented a special one-of-a-kind signature
pin designed by René Ruiz.
Deloitte &
Touche Volunteers Lend a Helping Hand at Miami Lighthouse
For the second year,
Miami Lighthouse received assistance with a variety of tasks as volunteers
from Deloitte pitched in to help on Deloitte’s annual “IMPACT” Day – a day
to make an impact on the communities where they work and live.
Actor Woody Harrelson Prepares for Blind Pianist Role
Woody Harrelson, who will play a blind pianist in the
upcoming film Seven Pounds, found the perfect place to practice his
“blindness” skills at Miami Lighthouse. Harrelson’s character befriends
the main character, played by Will Smith, a guilt ridden and suicidal IRS
agent. “I was more nervous about this role than about any I’ve ever had,”
Harrelson said. The challenges of playing a blind musician are daunting,
but Miami Lighthouse, with its vision rehabilitation services and
groundbreaking music program, was an excellent fit for Harrelson as he
prepared. He practiced the use of the white cane with Orientation &
Mobility Specialist John Clapp, COMS, and observed blind keyboard artists
practicing in the Henry & Inez Stone Music & Sound Studio. Harrelson, who
entered the American consciousness as the affably dim Woody Boyd on the
long-running TV series Cheers, has appeared in many major feature films,
including Indecent Proposal, Play it to the Bone and The
People vs Larry Flynt. Seven Pounds is scheduled to open in
theaters in December.
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Ophthalmologists Visit
Miami Lighthouse
Over 40 Ophthalmologists from Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
gathered for an informative evening at Miami Lighthouse on August 20th.
Moving testimonials were given by Lighthouse clients. Harry Epstein
offered a thank you to these doctors for “saving his life” and the Miami
Lighthouse for giving him a “new life” as an advocate for the blind and
visually impaired. Latrissa Logan, mother of Ty’quan Logan currently
enrolled in the Blind Babies Program also thanked both institutions for
their dedication and commitment in helping mothers like herself cope with
a blind baby and the many surgeries which are leading toward a very
positive outcome. Guests received personalized tours of the modern 37,000
square foot facility and our variety of programs. The event was hosted by
Eduardo C. Alfonso, Professor & Interim Chairman of Bascom Palmer Eye
Institute and Virginia A. Jacko, President & CEO of the Lighthouse.
Miami Lighthouse Men of Vision Honor Legendary Music
Producer Henry Stone
More than 50 friends of Miami Lighthouse gathered on August
5th to celebrate the Inaugural Men of Vision “Havana Nights,” hosted by Al
Cabrera, Scott Sime, Eric M. Stein, and David Turner. Guests enjoyed live
music as well as vintage and new cars featuring a placard noting
historical milestones of Miami Lighthouse coinciding with the model year
of each car. In keeping with the “Havana Nights” theme, a live cigar
roller demonstrated his craft. Legendary music producer and former Miami
Lighthouse client, Henry Stone, was named the 2008 “Man of Vision.” Henry
has been fundamental in the creation and success of the nationally
recognized music program at the Lighthouse. The event was sponsored by
SunTrust Bank South Florida, Turner & Associates, LLP, CB Richard Ellis
and Williamson Cadillac.
Northern Trust Bank Visits Miami Lighthouse
On July 3, 2008 Board Directors Ed Joyce and Kent Benedict
along with colleagues from Northern Trust Bank visited Miami Lighthouse
where they joined Lighthouse clients in the Gallery for lunch and were
entertained by summer camp student musicians and instructors. The group
toured the facility and learned about the many programs and services
offered by Miami Lighthouse to blind and visually impaired children and
adults.
Miami Lighthouse Women of Vision Honor
Jean Ellen duPont Shehan
and Gloria Martin
More than 50 of Miami’s most prominent female
philanthropists gathered at Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually
Impaired June 24 at the second annual Women of Vision luncheon. The
inspiring event included the presentation of the 2008 Woman of Vision
Award to Jean Ellen duPont Shehan; the completion of Gloria Martin’s $1.1
million gift to Miami Lighthouse; news from CEO Virginia A. Jacko about
new initiatives at Miami Lighthouse; a touching testimonial from Helen
Mopsick, whose 6-month-old son Colton participates in the Miami Lighthouse
Blind Babies program; and original music performed by the Miami Lighthouse
musicians. Norma Jean Abraham, Shelley Beckwith Rutherford, Jan Salvesen
Morrison and Norma Quintero hosted the event.
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