by Carly Eden Stokes | Dec 11, 2022 | Blog, News
For Giving Tuesday this year, we honored Claudia Schreiber, a former VLANJ program participant, advocate, and Board of Trustee. Claudia lost her vision completely in 2005, and diligently figured out ways to adapt. At the time, she was in her mid-40s and had two children in elementary school. When Claudia learned about Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey (then called New Jersey Foundation for the Blind) 11 years ago, she had her driver take her the 50-plus miles from her home in Marlboro Township to the program in Denville. “At first it was strange. I’d never met a blind person before,” she said. Claudia explained: “I’d always tried to pass as a sighted person because I was ashamed of being blind.”
Claudia began attending VLANJ weekly, learning skills to reclaim her independence and rekindling her passion for art. The first pieces she created were self-portraits with clay. Her VLANJ instructor “gave me the courage to get back into my life,” said Claudia, who’d earned a degree in art and sociology from New York University in 1982. “I fell in love with this organization.”
Claudia devoted her time to empowering others who lost their sight, and was dedicated to lightening the burden of others. Claudia died May 26, 2021 from colon cancer at age 61, leaving behind dear family and friends, and a legacy that will fortify VLANJ programs for years to come. Days before her death, she established The Claudia Schreiber Program Fund. She asked that friends and loved ones continue to contribute to the VLANJ fund in her memory.
For Giving Tuesday 2022, we supported Claudia’s fund and honored her legacy.
by Carly Eden Stokes | Dec 11, 2022 | News, Press
Thank you to CBS News and journalist Elise Preston for featuring VLANJ in honor of Blindness Awareness Month. As our President and CEO Bill Schuldt noted, “Too often people who are blind or have low vision tend to be isolated, and we want to make sure they’re part of a community and they’re getting the skills they need.”
For more information on in-person and/or virtual programs, resources, and/or support for those living with blindness or low vision, reach out to our Program Director, Linda Groszew, at (973) 627-0055, prompt 4, and Linda will assist you.
Read the full article and watch the full news segment here: https://www.newson6.com/story/63601f1ab0fd28070981d424/october-is-blind-awareness-month?bblinkid=264323330&bbemailid=43374872&bbejrid=-1800005131
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 27, 2022 | Blog, News, Press Releases
MORRISTOWN, NJ (May 26, 2022) — Guide dogs are part of Morristown’s fabric, but on Monday, participants from Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey used white canes to traverse the town’s sidewalks and intersections.
An individual holds a white cane while another has a guide dog at the checkout counter of a Morristown, NJ business.
Three orientation and mobility specialists from The Seeing Eye and VLANJ’s O&M expert provided one-on-one instruction to participants on a route that included several blocks of Maple Avenue and South Street. While one group of participants received instruction, the other toured a local business, and after lunch, they swapped roles.
“It’s so important for people with vision loss and blindness to learn mobility skills and practice how to safely navigate indoor and outdoor public spaces, as well as sidewalks, and crosswalks,” VLANJ Vice President of Programs Elsa Zavoda said. “It provides them greater self-confidence to venture out in their own communities and beyond.”
The O&M outing was the third in a series, generously funded by grants from the William G. and Helen C. Hoffman Foundation and the Lydia Collins deForest Charitable Trust. The O&M specialists from The Seeing Eye, including VLANJ trustee Lukas Franck, volunteered their services.
Two individuals stand at a street corner in Morristown. One holds a white cane.
Peggy Kane went out with The Seeing Eye’s Kristin Lake, who first fitted her with a global positioning system that alerted Kane to upcoming intersections. As they walked along Maple Avenue, Lake noted uneven sidewalks in places, and reviewed cane techniques. Kane knew the importance of listening to traffic flow to know when it’s safe to cross an intersection that doesn’t have a walking signal.
“I don’t travel out in the community by myself as much anymore, so it was good to have the opportunity to practice my outdoor navigation skills,” Kane said.
Franck, a senior consultant at The Seeing Eye, worked with Marvin Morgan. At the traffic light at Maple Avenue and Miller Road, Franck coached Morgan to raise his pole to signal his intention to cross before stepping into the crosswalk.
Inside Braunschweiger Jewelers on South Street, owner Gretchen Braunschweiger stood at a circular display case and took out highly textured estate pieces for the VLANJ participants to handle.
Feeling a thick gold chain, Matthew Graves said, “This feels like a glow stick.” He tapped on a thick, smooth sterling silver bangle and said,“it feels and sounds like glass!”
Two individuals stand at the counter of Braunschweiger Jewelers in Morristown. A woman greets them behind the counter.
After examining more than a dozen pieces of jewelry, the VLANJ participants showed Braunschweiger mobility techniques they learned. Mary Ann Zino demonstrated trailing, using her cupped hand to feel her way around the circular jewelry display. Nicole Klein showed her different cane techniques to move around the store.
A woman holds her guide dog in front of a counter filled with sweets at a local Morristown business.
Braunschweiger said people with vision loss often visit the store, but usually, they are with guide dogs. When they enter, “someone goes up to the front to greet them,” she said.
After lunch, the participants who did orientation and mobility training in the morning visited Blue Mercury, a makeup and skin care shop on the Morristown Green. The VLANJ participants learned about products and smelled perfumes and colognes, and demonstrated human guide technique to Blue Mercury staff. The outing ended with a visit to Kilwins Morristown for ice cream.
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. Explore vlanj.org for more information.
