2024 Annual Report

VLANJ proudly presents our Annual Report for 2024.

Annual Report 2024

VLANJ's Mission & Programs As Shown at Dining in the Dark 2022

Dining in the Dark 2022 was a truly immersive event through a world of smell, taste, and sound - a unique sensory experience like no other - in support of raising funds for our programs. The evening featured a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner in the dark, and entertainment. Attendees also heard incredible words by VLANJ's President& CEO, William Schuldt, VLANJ Board Member, Ming Wu, the Saddle River Valley Lions Club, VLANJ program participant and creator of The Blind Vine, Debbie Azzarone, and VLANJ Board Chair, Carl R. Augusto.

Once again, to all who helped support this event and make it possible - and to those who continue to support Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey - THANK YOU! Please enjoy a video below highlighting VLANJ's mission and programs that was shown to attendees at Dining in the Dark 2022.

Dining in the Dark 2022 Save the Date

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 are available via the form below, or call Jennifer Singer at 973.627.0055, prompt 2, for more information.

VLANJ's First Annual Day of Giving: A Huge Success!

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!

VLANJ Day of Giving 2022

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://vlanj.org/vlanjdayofgiving2022/