by Carly Eden Stokes | Oct 31, 2022 | Blog, Events, News
On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, we held our main fundraising event of the year, Dining in the Dark – and the support we received was truly wonderful.
Two attendees enjoy Dining in the Dark. One individual wears learning shades.
Dining in the Dark was an immersive event through a world of smell, taste, and sound, offering attendees a unique sensory experience like no other. The evening helped us raise funds for our programs here at VLANJ, and featured a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner in the dark, and entertainment. It also included incredible words by VLANJ Board Member Ming Wu, the Saddle River Valley Lions Club, and VLANJ program participant and creator of The Blind Vine, Debbie Azzarone.
VLANJ Program Director Linda Groszew and Program Participant and author of the Blind Vine, Debbie Azzarone, speak at Dining in the Dark.
We couldn’t be more grateful to each of our sponsors and donors, and to those who continue to support Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey – THANK YOU!
Thank you to our sponsors:
Williams Jones Wealth Management
The Church of the Saviour, Denville, NJ
Mary Ann and Brian Zino
New Jersey Natural Gas
Advanced Center NJ
Norman Dean Home For Services, Inc.
DCM Associates
General Vision Services
Thatcher McGhee’s
Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin
Modera Wealth Management
Dyer Landscaping & Lawn Care
Board Member Sponsors Lyndsey Lord, Kelly and Kevin Bleach, Carl and Sue Augusto, Carol and Jake Ray, and Dora T. Meler.
VLANJ Board Member Ming Wu speaks at Dining in the Dark.
The VLANJ Silent Auction is featured.
Didn’t make it to our event this year? Not to worry – follow us on social media to stay up to date on all upcoming in-person and virtual events!
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by admin | Aug 2, 2022 | Blog, Events, News
THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT!
Due to overwhelming participation, we have met our capacity and will no longer be selling tickets to this event. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Please return to the site for information and stay tuned for upcoming events.
THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT!
Join us on October 26, 2022, as we celebrate our fifth annual Dining In The Dark!
Enter a world of smell, taste, and sound as you experience a unique sensory experience like no other. Help us as we raise funds to support our programs. The evening will feature a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner in the dark, entertainment, and a wine pull.
Tickets, tables(of 10 guests), and sponsorship opportunities available via the form below, or call Jennifer Singer at 973.627.0055, prompt 2 for more information.
by Carly Eden Stokes | Jun 21, 2022 | Blog, Events, News
We’re ecstatic to say: WE DID IT!
OUR FIRST ANNUAL DAY OF GIVING WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!
VLANJ staff members pose with Dave Steele, “The Blind Poet.”
For our first annual Day of Giving, our goal was to raise $7,900 celebrating 79 years of VLANJ, in 1 day, 9 hours, and 43 minutes – in honor of VLANJ’s founding year of 1943. Not only did we meet that goal, but with the help of our incredible donors and individuals and brands helping to spread the word, we exceeded it!
For our first ever Day of Giving, we raised $10,200, surpassing our goal of $7,900 by a landslide! We also received 72 gifts and participation from 69 donors, 21 of whom were new donors, and 21 donations made generously by VLANJ program participants.
A graphic depicts VLANJ’s incredible results from their first annual Day of Giving.
We want to say a huge, resounding “thank you” to all those who helped us spread awareness, gave a donation, and/or came to visit us in person during our 1 day, 9 hour, and 43 minute event.
For this event, support came from all over the world – literally! A huge highlight on our Day of Giving was a special in-person event featuring Dave Steele, “The Blind Poet,” during which he came to speak at our Denville, NJ location (all the way from the UK!). Dave shared about his inspiring journey with vision loss, performed an amazing in-person poetry reading, and, afterwards, met with VLANJ community members. Many VLANJ program participants traveled to celebrate our Day of Giving with us in person, enjoying in-person programs, events, and of course some celebratory cake and balloons.
A white cake with purple frosting reads: “Happy 79th Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey!”
Thank you to Dave Steele, CONQUERing, WagALot Pet Shop, local Denville, NJ businesses such as Inspiration Roll, The Pasta Shop Denville, Thatcher McGhee’s Denville, Bold Blind Beauty, and individuals including but not limited to Anne, Claire Sisk, Monica Pruitt, Sadi Taylor, and Katie’s Vision for donating unique gifts and/or helping us to spread the word!
We are so grateful for such a generous display of kindness and support! Because of it, we are able to continue offering services, aid, and resources to those living with vision loss who need it.
We look forward to all that next year has in store – stay tuned for our 80th year celebration!
by Carly Eden Stokes | May 6, 2022 | Blog, Events, News
Save the Date! The 1st Annual VLANJ Day of Giving will begin on Thursday, June 16th and continue until Friday, June 17!
Our goal is to raise $7,900 in 1 day, 9 hours, and 43 minutes – in honor of our founding year of 1943.
The VLANJ Day of Giving brings our community of program participants, alumni, staff, and friends together in support of our mission and history of providing services to people with vision loss.
Our Goal: Our goal of raising $7,900 honors our home and our history where our program participants have spent time together learning skills to lead an independent life and where generations of alumni, families, friends, and staff have helped to shape VLANJ. On the Day of Giving, we celebrate our shared connection to this special place in Denville, NJ.
Our History: It all began in 1943, when a group of individuals met to address societal bias against people who, like themselves, were blind or had profound vision loss. They formed the New Jersey Association for the Blind and started the state’s first summer residential camp program for women in Denville, NJ. The founders focused on women’s needs because they had fewer options for leading an independent life at that time. Under the name NJ Foundation for the Blind, the summer camp expanded its offerings to provide life-skills training to help those with vision loss live more independent lives.
Over time, it became evident that providing tools to promote independence was key to helping individuals with vision loss. VLANJ recognized this growing need and expanded its mission to focusing on teaching basic and essential life skills, as well as providing health and wellness activities year-round for both men and women. Currently, VLANJ offers a full continuum of in person programs in Denville and select programs in Ridgewood. VLANJ also provides virtual classes to individuals and families all over the world!
Honor: Make your donation in honor of or in memory of a person with vision loss or a person who has provided services to help people with vision loss.
Make your donation to support our annual fund and help us continue to provide services for the next 79 years and beyond!
Can’t wait until June 16th? You can make your Day of Giving gift now and be counted or help us spread the word by sharing this link: https://www.vlanj.org/vlanjdayofgiving2022/
by Carly Eden Stokes | Mar 30, 2022 | Blog, Events, News, Press Releases
Valerie Frink of Jersey City, a VLANJ participant, closely inspects a bright, colorful work by artist Jerry Pinkney, using the flashlight on her mobile phone.
MONTCLAIR, NJ (March 30, 2022) — As part of its effort to expand access for people with special needs, the Montclair Art Museum last week gave Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey participants a guided exhibit tour that featured detailed audio descriptions of artwork and multi-sensory objects to help visualize pieces.
“I liked being able to feel the object related to the artwork, and hear about the artist and materials used,” said VLANJ participant Debbie Tester, who has lost most of her sight to a degenerative eye disease. “It helped me get a picture in my head.”
The MAM tour was VLANJ’s second orientation and mobility community outing to learn and practice getting around in public spaces. The outings are generously funded by grants from the William G. and Helen C. Hoffman Foundation and the Lydia Collins deForest Charitable Trust. Two VLANJ orientation and mobility experts accompanied the group and provided training inside the museum and on its grounds.
VLANJ participants gave MAM’s program high marks. “Make it longer!” suggested Roman Dodia. Montclair State University Associate Professor Maria José Garcia Vizcaíno, who volunteers as a docent, narrated the exhibit, “Transformed: Objects Reimagined by American Artists.”
![VLANJ participants view a black panther sculpture during a Montclair Art Museum tour on March 25. [MAM photo credit]](https://www.vlanj.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_4727-225x300.jpeg)
VLANJ participants view a black panther sculpture during a Montclair Art Museum tour on March 25. [MAM photo credit]
MAM is committed to expanding access for people with special needs. It recently created the position of assistant director of Community and Access Programs, held by Celene Ryan. The museum offers virtual programs and runs in-person art classes that provide more support, with one-on-one or small-group instruction, Ryan said. New Jersey residents who receive Division of Developmental Disabilities funding can use the money to take MAM classes, she noted.
The VLANJ participants asked astute questions as they moved through the gallery, Ryan said. “They were really engaged.” They then provided feedback on the tour and MAM’s accessibility efforts in a focus group run by Montclair State University Associate Professor Elaine Gerber.
The nine VLANJ participants offered a range of useful suggestions, such as having the museum’s floor plan mapped on a GPS system like GoodMaps to help visually impaired people get around. They suggested information about artwork on plaques have a companion audio description, and that tape on the floor marking how close visitors can get to artwork be textured so people using canes can identify it.
VLANJ Vice President of Programs Elsa Zavoda demonstrated mobile phone apps that allow people with vision impairment to listen to written information about artwork. Because of the museum’s high ceilings, Zavoda recommended MAM tour guides use lapel amplifiers so visitors don’t miss narrations.
Museum Director Ira Wagner noted MAM tries to incorporate social elements into programming, inviting artists to speak. To thank VLANJ participants for their input on improving access, Wagner offered the group one-year memberships to MAM.
For more information about MAM, visit montclairartmusuem.org.
Visit vlanj.org to learn about VLANJ programs.
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About Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey
Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey is a 501(c)(3) that provides practical training and emotional support to help those who have experienced profound vision loss regain self-esteem and self-reliance. Since its founding in 1943, Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey has used a holistic approach to empower those with profound vision loss to live engaged, productive and independent lives. Go to vlanj.org for more information.
About the Montclair Art Museum
The Montclair Art Museum (MAM) boasts a renowned collection of American and Native American art that uniquely highlights art-making in the United States over the last 300 years. The Vance Wall Art Education Center encompasses the Museum’s educational efforts, including award-winning Yard School of Art studio classes, lectures and talks, family events, tours, and the mobile MAM Art Truck. MAM exhibitions and programs serve a wide public of all ages and abilities, from families and seniors to artists, educators, and scholars.
by admin | Aug 26, 2021 | Events, News
THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT!
Due to overwhelming participation, we have met our capacity and will no longer be selling tickets to this event. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Please return to the site for information and stay tuned for upcoming events.
THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT!
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to postpone our annual Dining in the Dark event until October 2022. We will, however, be hosting a smaller more intimate event following all social distancing and safety guidelines where we can all be safe and enjoy! Proof of vaccination will not be required. Masks will be required as you enter the building and anytime you are away from your table.
Please join us on October 28, 2021, for A Four Senses Wine and Cheese Pairing. Experience a journey beyond sight!
Enter a world of taste, smell, sound, and touch as you enjoy a unique sensory experience like no other.
**Each table of four guests will receive 1 bottle of red wine, 1 bottle of white wine and a cheese platter.
**Only 60 tickets will be sold!
Please contact Jennifer Singer, VP of Development and Communications at (973) 627- 0055 ext. 1323, jsinger@vlanj.org for more information or to request a non-alcohol option.
We strive to present an enjoyable and safe event so that we may raise critical funds needed to provide services for people with vision loss or blindness. As such, the format of the event may be modified to comply with COVID-19 restrictions or mandates.
![VLANJ participants view a black panther sculpture during a Montclair Art Museum tour on March 25. [MAM photo credit]](https://www.vlanj.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_4727-rotated.jpeg)