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MEDIA CONTACT: Laurie Headley
Assistant Director of Development (323) 664-2153
BLIND PRESCHOOLERS AND KINDERGARTNERS BEAT THE ODDS GRADUATING FROM THE BLIND CHILDRENS CENTER ON JUNE 20th
WHAT: Blind Childrens Center Annual Graduation Ceremony
WHEN: Friday, June 20, 2008 TIME: 9:30 A.M. (Sharp)
WHERE: Blind Childrens Center, 4120 Marathon Street Los Angeles, CA 90029
Blind and visually impaired children along with their sighted classmates will don tiny caps and gowns as they receive diplomas and certificates from the Mayor’s office at the Blind Childrens Center’s “Annual Graduation Ceremony.”
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, designed to teach young children who are blind and visually impaired the skills necessary to succeed in a sighted world.
Prior to the graduation ceremony the graduates, along with the Center’s other students, will dazzle guests with a musical program prepared in honor of this special day. The Center’s little students and their families and Center professionals will be available for interviews. All of the children’s stories are compelling and inspiring.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Laurie Headley
Tournament Director (323) 664-2153
CELEBRITIES SET TO TEE OFF FOR CHARITY
LOS ANGELES — Celebrities from stage, screen and the sports world plan to take on Hogan’s Alley at the 16th annual Tom Sullivan Blind Childrens Center Celebrity Golf Classic presented by John Hancock Life Insurance Monday, June 9th 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 and kindergarten-aged children who are blind or visually impaired and their families.
Celebrities involved in this year’s event are: Pat Boone, Alan Thicke, Bruce Jenner, Joe Mantegna, Peter Falk, Norm Crosby, Ron Masak, Steve Garvey, Kenny Rankin, Don Slaught, Robert Torti and Chris Rich.
To secure your press pass, please contact Laurie Headley, Tournament Director, at the Center, 323/664-2153, ext. 342.
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THE “SOUND” OF EASTER
A beeping Easter Egg Hunt for youngsters who are blind
Toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners will hunt for their eggs by sound. They will experience the “sound and feel” of Easter by using their sense of hearing and of touch to hunt for textured Easter eggs that are beeping all around the grounds of the Blind Children Center.
20th Annual Beeping Easter Egg Party
Thursday, March 13, 2008
9:30 A.M.
Blind Childrens Center
4120 Marathon Street
Los Angeles 90029
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.
After the hunt is complete, the children will exchange the eggs for an Easter basket filled with tasty treats. The Easter bunny will be hopping around to interact with the children. The youngsters will also have the chance to pet live bunnies, ducks and fluffy, little chicks scampering throughout the yard.
The Center’s students, 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 2nd, more than 50 people will take on the challenge of the LA Marathon, Acura LA Bike Tour and the LA Marathon 5K Run/Walk on behalf of Team Blind Children.
Our Premier Sponsor, Econ One Research Inc. Founder & President Jeff Leitzinger, together with his wife Janet have sponsored Team Blind Children with a generous gift of $15,000. Their daughter, Emma, is a graduate of the Blind Childrens Center.
Come join the fun. Our mile is one of the loudest and most exciting with over 200 enthusiastic volunteers.
WHEN: Sunday, March 2, 2008
WHERE: Mile 10 — Corner of Olympic & Hoover
WHO: Blind Childrens Center
Team Blind Children
4120 Marathon Street
Los Angeles, CA 90029
KLVE will be there to add to the fun!
WHY: To raise awareness about childhood blindness and funds for the Blind Childrens Center, a 70-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.
Lots of refreshments!
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Laurie Headley,
Special Events Coordinator
Blind Childrens Center, (323) 664-2153 ext. 342
Santa Claus and His Elves Bring Holiday Cheer to Some Very Special Children
More than 40 of the Blind Childrens Center’s special students and their siblings, joined by staff, parents and friends gathered outside the Center, 4120 Marathon Street in Los Angeles today at 9:30 am in anticipation of Santa Claus and his elves.
With lights flashing and sirens blaring, one police car after another entered the Center’s gates. Santa Claus emerged from the first car bellowing “ho, ho, ho,” carrying a sack overflowing with gifts for the Center’s blind infants, toddlers and preschoolers as well as their siblings.
Los Angeles Police Department’s Rampart and Records & Identification Divisions, and the Blind Childrens Center hosted the “Holiday Party With Santa” to continue a 36 year tradition of spreading holiday joy while at the same time helping children who are blind or visually impaired develop basic skills. Beverly Hills resident Igor Zaninovich, former BCC student, attended the activities.
Lenny Muñoz, a retired LAPD officer, plays the role of the enchanting Santa Claus. Every year, the children’s faces light up with glee while they sit on Santa’s knee. While Santa’s visit is fun for the children, they also learn to develop their other senses as Santa encourages them to explore his curly, white beard, listen to his jingle bells and enjoy the sweet taste of a peppermint candy cane. By bringing this magical character alive, he also encourages them to use their imagination which is important for a young child who is blind.
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CONTACT:
Laurie Headley
(323) 664-2153 ext. 342
Blind Childrens Center Graduate Receives Prestigious Robert Stack Award
On Monday September 24th, Mrs. Rosemarie Stack, widow of Actor Robert Stack, presented the Robert Stack Achievement Award at the Blind Childrens Center’s Annual Meeting.
The award, which is given to a graduate of the Blind Childrens Center for recognition of excellence, was presented to Rex Lewis-Clack.
Rex is a 12 year old young man who was born blind, with brain damage so severe it looked as though he would never walk, talk, or do much of anything. And yet, he has a musical talent few of us can imagine.
He and his mom came to the Center when Rex was only 6 months old. While at the Center, Rex learned to walk, talk and feed himself. At the age of 2, Mom shared the remarkable stories of Rex’s musical talents. He is now one of the most talented musical savants in the world, and is a highly sought after motivational performer. Lesley Stahl, 60 Minutes, has been following the amazing story of Rex for more than four years.
The Blind Childrens Center is a non profit family-centered agency devoted to helping children, who are blind or visually impaired, have the best quality and most productive lives possible. The Center’s programs and services help the children acquire skills and build their independence.
We have many more inspirational stories just like Rex. Please contact Laurie Headley for more information.
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