Blind Childrens Center
4120 Marathon Street, Los Angeles, California 90029 (323)664-2153
A family-centered agency serving children with visual impairments
BLIND CHILDRENS CENTER GRADUATION CEREMONY, A BITTERSWEET DAY
LOS ANGELES — On June 22nd, a sea of little blue caps and gowns gathered with eager anticipation at the Blind Childrens Center. “Graduation is always a bittersweet day,” said Dr. Fernanda Armenta Schmitt, Director of Education and Family Services. “We are sad to see them go but very excited for their future and new found independence.”
Along with their sighted classmates, the graduates, who are blind and visually impaired, received diplomas and certificates from the Mayor’s office.
Despite glaucoma, retinopathy of prematurity, cornea transplants and countless surgeries to try and correct these eye diseases, these youngsters have beaten the odds by completing the Center’s program. The program is designed to teach young children who are blind and visually impaired the skills necessary to succeed in a sighted world.
The graduates along with the Center’s other students dazzled guests with a musical program prepared in honor of the special day.
For more information contact: Laurie Headley, Special Events Coordinator, (323) 664-2153 ext 342.
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CONTACT:
Laurie Headley
Tournament Director
(323) 664-2153
CELEBRITIES TEE OFF FOR CHARITY
LOS ANGELES (April 23, 2007) — Celebrities David James Elliott, Dennis Franz, Craig T. Nelson, Gordon Clapp, Richard Karn, Bruce Jenner, Steve Garvey, Peter Falk and more teed off for charity at the 15th Annual Tom Sullivan Blind Childrens Center Celebrity Golf Classic on Monday, April 23rd at The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. This year's tournament was presented by John Hancock Life Insurance.
Blind actor, singer, entertainer, and author Tom Sullivan once again hosted the Golf Classic. The all-day event included 18 holes of golf, a putting contest (and a unique "blind-folded" putting challenge), contest holes, breakfast, lunch, dinner and a live and silent auction.
Corporate sponsors included John Hancock Life Insurance, AT&T, Allergan, RREEF, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky and Walker, Spacesaver, The Stein Family, The Tanimoto Family, Harold Payne Plastics and KTN Enterprises.
Penske Automotive Group, Inc. was the official golf cart sponsor for the event. Trade sponsors included; American Airlines, Charles & Danica Perez, KAS Engineering, Yes!Golf, Ashworth and Thomas Nelson Publishing.
The Blind Childrens Center Board Member C. Herbert Joiner chairs the event which featured 36 teams of four players. All of the proceeds benefit the Blind Childrens Center, a non-profit family centered agency dedicated to serving preschool children who are blind or visually impaired and their families. The Center provides educational and support services to help children acquire the necessary skills to build their independence.
Contact Laurie Headley, Tournament Director, at the Center, (323) 664-2153, ext. 342 for more information.
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CONTACT:
Laurie Headley
Tournament Director
(323) 664-2153
CELEBRITIES SET TO TEE OFF FOR CHARITY
LOS ANGELES — Celebrities from stage and screen plan to take on Hogan’s Alley at the 15th annual Tom Sullivan Blind Childrens Center Celebrity Golf Classic presented by John Hancock Life Insurance on Monday, April 23rd at The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades.
The charity golf tournament is an all-day event which includes 18 holes of golf, a putting contest (and a unique "blind-folded" putting challenge), contest holes, breakfast, lunch, dinner and a live and silent auction.
All of the proceeds benefit the Blind Childrens Center, a non-profit family centered agency dedicated to serving preschool children who are blind or visually impaired and their families.
Celebrities involved in this year’s event are: Craig T. Nelson, Dennis Franz, James B. Sikking, Pat Boone, Alan Thicke, Richard Karn, Gordon Clapp, Kevin Sorbo, Lisa Stanley, John J. York, Patrick Warburton, Cheech Marin, David James Elliot, Bruce Jenner, Joe Mantegna, Peter Falk, Norm Crosby, Ron Masak, Steve Garvey, Dennis McNeil, and Kenny Rankin.
To secure your press pass, please contact Laurie Headley, Tournament Director, at the Center, (323) 664-2153, ext. 342.
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THE “FEEL” OF EASTER
YOUNG CHILDREN WHO ARE BLIND EXPERIENCE THE FEEL OF EASTER THROUGH BEEPING TEXTURED EGGS
Infants, toddlers and preschoolers who are blind will experience the feel of Easter by using their sense of hearing and touch to hunt for textured Easter eggs that beep at the Blind Children Center’s 19th Annual Beeping Easter Egg Party at 10:00 A.M. at the Blind Childrens Center, 4120 Marathon St., Los Angeles on Thursday, April 5, 2007.
The beeping eggs were developed to enable blind children to hunt for Easter eggs by using their other senses. The siblings of the Center’s students will also search for the beeping eggs while wearing blind-folds. The Easter bunny will be hopping around to interact with the children. The youngsters will also have the chance to hug live bunnies, ducks and fluffy, little chicks scampering throughout the yard.
Econ One, an economic research and consulting firm with offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, Austin, Houston and Washington, D.C., will be presenting the Center with a $10,000 donation.
Jeff Leitzinger, founder & president of Econ One said, “The Blind Childrens Center is an oasis of generosity, discovery and hope for children and their families struggling to understand and adapt to the life journey in front of them. Having been on that road myself, I want to open the door as wide as possible for others.” Jeff’s daughter is a graduate of the Center.
For further information, contact Laurie Headley, (323) 664-2153, ext. 342.
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Crime Fighting Turtles Visit Blind Childrens Center
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will throw a pizza party for infants, toddlers and preschoolers who are blind at the Blind Childrens Center on Monday, March 19th from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the Blind Childrens Center, 4120 Marathon St., Los Angeles.
The crime fighting turtles are promoting their new movie due to release in theaters March 23, 2007. Also joining the party will be KLVE Radio 107.5. Omar and Argelia, KLVE morning radio personalities, participated in the Los Angeles Marathon on behalf of the Center’s children and families. The dynamic duo will join the Ninja Turtles for an afternoon of festive music and karate-chopping fun.
The Center’s little students and their families and Center staff will be available for interviews. All of children’s stories are compelling and inspiring.
For further information, contact Laurie Headley, (323) 664-2153, ext. 342.
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JOIN ECON ONE RESEARCH INC. AND WALK, RUN OR BIKE ON BEHALF OF BLIND CHILDREN
WHAT: On Sunday, March 4th, more than 100 people will take on the challenge of the LA Marathon, Acura LA Bike Tour and the Emerald Nuts 5K Run/Walk on behalf of Team Blind Children.
Our Premier Sponsor is Econ One Research Inc. Founder & President Jeff Leitzinger together with his wife Janet have sponsored Team Blind Children with a generous gift of $10,000. Their daughter Emma is a graduate of the Blind Childrens Center.
WHEN: Sunday, March 4, 2007
WHERE: Mile 10
Between Hoover & Olympic
WHO: The Blind Childrens Center
Team Blind Children
4120 Marathon Street
Los Angeles, CA 90029
**KLVE will be there to add in the fun!
WHY: To create awareness about childhood blindness and to raise funds for the Blind Childrens Center, a 68-year-old agency that serves infants, toddlers and preschoolers who are blind or visually impaired.
MEDIA CONTACT: Laurie Headley, Blind Childrens Center,
(323) 664-2153 ext 342.
THE EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE RAIN OR SHINE
WONDERFUL PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES.
KLVE WILL ALSO BE JOINING US TO ADD TO THE FUN!
LOTS OF REFRESHMENTS!
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SANTA CLAUS AND HIS ELVES (LAPD RAMPART AND R&I OFFICERS) PROVIDE YOUNG BLIND CHILDREN WITH GIFTS, FOOD, AND FUN AT THE ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY WITH SANTA
WHO: Los Angeles Police Department's Rampart and Records & Identification Divisions, the LAPD Centurion Football Team and the Blind Childrens Center.
WHAT: The officers will arrive in a line of police cars with lights flashing and sirens blaring. Santa will greet an estimated 40 of the Center's children while he carries a sack overflowing with gifts for the kids. The children will then have a chance to sit on Santa's lap to say hello and give him a warm holiday hug. The officers and their families provide gifts for every child enrolled at the Center and their siblings.
WHEN: Friday, December 15, 2006
9:30 A.M. (sharp) to 11:30 A.M.
WHERE: Blind Childrens Center, 4120 Marathon Street in Los Angeles
WHY: To provide the Center's underprivileged children (birth to 6 years) and their siblings with a Christmas gift, tasty treats, and a chance to meet Santa and the LAPD officers.
MEDIA CONTACT: Laurie Headley, Special Events Coordinator,
Blind Childrens Center, (323) 664-2153 ext. 342
THIS EVENT PROVIDES WONDERFUL PHOTO, LIVE FILM AND INTERVIEWING OPPORTUNITIES.
Refreshments and food will be served.
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CONTACT:
Laurie Headley
Special Events Coordinator
(323) 664-2153 ext. 342
Local Theater Hosts Fundraising Event for Blind Children
On Saturday October 28th, the Blind Childrens Center (BCC) will hold its annual fundraising event, “A Night at the Theater” at The Hermosa Beach Playhouse (southwest corner of PCH & Pier Ave.).
The event will be the opening night performance of Dial “M” for Murder. It is being made possible by the generosity of the Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities and its founder and executive producer James A. Blackman III. Mr. Blackman is also a former employee of the BCC.
The event will begin with a wine and cheese reception at 6:30 pm followed by the performance at 8:00 pm.
The Blind Childrens Center is a non profit organization which serves children with visual impairments from birth to school age. The Center receives no state or federal funding and relies solely on private donations, grants and fundraising events. All services are completely free of charge to the families and children.
For more information or to purchase tickets please contact Laurie Headley, Special Events Coordinator, at (323) 664-2153 ext. 342.
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CONTACT:
Laurie Headley
Special Events Coordinator
(323) 664-2153 ext. 342
LAPD Centurions Host Picnic for Blind Kids and Their Families
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Police Department's CENTURIONS FOOTBALL TEAM will sponsor a “Fall Family Picnic” to benefit the Blind Childrens Center on Thursday October 26, 2006 at the Blind Childrens Center in Los Angeles.
The Centurions Football Team is a non-profit organization whose goal is to play football to raise money for the Blind Childrens Center of Los Angeles. Through the Centurions efforts, more than $100,000 has been donated to the Center over the past 25 years.
The funds they raise support the Blind Childrens Center's educational preschool and kindergarten programs for young children who are blind or severely visually impaired. The Centurions also provide positive role models to hundreds of at-risk youth.
The Centurions are sworn LAPD police officers who compete in a regional football conference against other police and fire agencies in the Western United States.
** Great photo opp. **
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Blind Childrens Center
4120 Marathon Street
Los Angeles, California 90029-3584
(323) 664-2153 • Fax (323) 665-3828
©2008 Blind Childrens Center
All rights reserved.