Construction was completed in time for the start of the new school year.

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Cover Story: PHASE I

Center able to maintain growth

2009 proved to be a productive year for the Blind Childrens Center. We were able to add Second Grade in September, extending the Center’s impact into the elementary school years. To accommodate the expansion of the First Grade in 2008 and Second Grade this past year, a building campaign was launched to raise a little over one million dollars to build two new classrooms and to upgrade the lobby, hallway and restrooms.

Why do we need to grow?
Our student population has changed. Today, premature infants weighing as little as one pound can survive outside the womb. These tiny babies experience a dramatically increased likelihood of blindness and multiple disabilities. Now, a greater percentage of our current infants and young students have multiple challenges that require additional skills, equipment, space, and specialized facilities. The Blind Childrens Center represents the best chance these infants and children have to get the right start in a sighted world.

Since 1950, the Blind Childrens Center has operated under the same roof, in the same classrooms, with the same loving approach and internationally recognized expertise. But, it is time for a change. We need to improve our classrooms and purchase new and improved equipment.

Why are we expanding into the elementary school years?
Even after adding the Kindergarten class in 2006, we constantly hear, “Can’t my little girl just stay one more year?” Until now, we’ve had to say “No.” With the addition of first and now second grade, we are serving children from birth to age 8; critical years for any developing child, but especially for a child who is blind.

Where are we now with the building and fundraising?
Phase I of the construction and renovation at the Center is nearly complete. Highlights include construction of two new classrooms, upgraded restrooms, renovated foyer and additional landscaping. We are more than halfway to our fundraising goal of $1 million. The Center hopes to move forward with Phase II, which includes Third Grade, once fundraising for Phase I is complete.

A special thanks to contractor Al Banegas and architect Michael Aquino for getting the building ready for the start of the 2009/2010 school year. In September, the children welcomed the return to school to see all their old friends and their “new” school.

For information about the building campaign, contact Muriel Scharf at (323) 664-2153.

 

Delphine Wagner Smith

In Loving Memory

Inspired by a Blind Childrens Center newsletter, and the fact that Mr. Smith was blind in one eye due to a World War II injury, Mrs. Smith included the Center in her estate plan. Her generous gift of more than $2 million was received in honor of her late husband, Charles Walter Smith. The Board of Directors will dedicate the Center’s new classroom wing in honor of Mrs. Smith and her husband in early 2010.

Mrs. Smith, a long-time resident of Long Beach, passed away on August 31, 2008, at the age of 94. “She was a loving, passionate, and bright lady,” said David Overholt, her dear friend. “She and her husband traveled the world and enjoyed music and dancing and had a real love for life.”

She studied music in the early 1930s at the University of Southern California and traveled extensively throughout Europe playing and studying music.

Delphine Wagner married Mr. Charles Walter Smith in 1946 and they had a daughter, Lynnette, born in 1950. Lynnette became a physician specializing in cancer research. Sadly, she died of cancer in 1998 just five years before her father. “That was truly heartbreaking,” recalled Mr. Overholt, who said Lynnette was like a sister to him.

Mrs. Smith was the last surviving sibling among four sisters. Her parents enjoyed financial success during the Gold Rush.

 

 ECON ONE presents

Team Blind Children

Walk or run on behalf of the Blind Childrens Center.

 

 

Not an athlete? Then join us for race day festivities to cheer on our runners.

Join TEAM BLIND CHILDREN today! Contact Laurie Headley for details.
(323) 664-2153 Ext 342

 

SAVE THE DATE

Celebrity Golf

Save the Date for The 18th Annual Tom Sullivan Blind Childrens Center Celebrity Golf Classic presented by John Hancock Life Insurance.

Mark your calendars for Monday, June 28, 2010, at The Riviera Country Club.

To reserve your golf spot or to make dinner reservations, call event director Laurie Headley (323) 664-2153 ext. 342.

Corporate sponsorships are also available.

 

Les Marraines

Halloween Luncheon

Once again Les Marraines auxiliary group put on a fabulous luncheon benefiting the children. The costumes were great fun and headliner Fritz Coleman’s (yes, the weatherman) comedy routine had us rolling in the aisles.

Through this wonderful volunteer effort Les Marraines contributed $15,528 to the Center in 2009.

Thank you, ladies!

 

Roddy Hiatt

Golf Tournament

Each year Roddy Hiatt and his committee host a golf tournament on behalf of the children.

The course is great at California Country Club and the luncheon door prizes can’t be beat.

The Roddy Hiatt Golf Tournament, held Friday, August 14, 2009, raised approximately $49,000.

A very special thank you to some very special guys.

 

Longest Day of Golf

The Gibney Family Foundation Challenge
San Gabriel Country Club

There’s still time to sponsor your favorite golfer. Your gift will help them meet the Gibney Family Foundation matching funds challenge. Their goal is $100,000.

 

Thanks to San Gabriel Country Club golf pros Alistair Philip and Wade Jones for once again joining us for the day.

“It was extremely eye-opening to see a handmade thank you card come from a blind student after last year’s tournament,” said pro, Wade Jones. “I enjoyed the day and love to give back to the community.”

Thank you to our other sponsors, Doris & Louis Bush, the John & Ursula Kanel Charitable Foundation and an anonymous sponsor for their support.

Call Director of Development Muriel Scharf (323) 664-2153 ext. 330.

2010 Golfers included:

• George Ball
• Richard French
• Fred Fyten
• Greg Grande
• Eric Heer
• Wade Jones [San Gabriel Country Club Pro]
• Chuck Kiskaden
• Thomas Mitchell
• Alistair Philip [San Gabriel Country Club heAd Pro]
• Scott Schaldenbrand
• Patrick Schloss
• Rich Semler
• Tetsu Tanimoto
• Rich Thomas
• Alan Yoshitake

 

Lions van donation

The perfect example

 

On Wednesday, December 9, 2009, local Lions Club members came to dedicate the new van they so generously donated to the Center.

Lion Kenny Shu, President of the East Valley Lions Club, spearheaded the fundraising campaign and Past (4L2) District Governor Judy Powell secured a matching grant from the International Lions Foundation.

The selection of the project grew out of a visit by a group of Lions to the Center in September of 2008.

Even before fundraising for the van went into high gear, the group purchased and presented a new Braille printer to the Center Christmas 2008.

“To me this van project is the perfect example of Lions Clubs and members making miracles happen,” said Shu.

Earlier this fall the Blind Childrens Center recognized Kenny Shu as its Man of the Year for his diligence in getting the project started and following through on generating participation.

 

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

New Performance Nutrition
5K RUN/WALK
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Morning Shift

25th Los Angeles
MARATHON
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Morning Shift

The Tom Sullivan Blind Childrens Center
Celebrity Golf Classic
Monday, June 28, 2010
The Riviera Country Club
Morning, Afternoon & Evening Shifts

For more information, contact Nancy Gutierrez, Volunteer Coordinator & Development Assistant at (323) 664-2153 ext 304.

 

Keep in Touch

Please send us your new email address to stay in touch or if it has changed in the past year. We would love to keep you up to day with all our special events announcements and happenings at the Center. Simply send your email address to nancy@blindchildrenscenter.org.

 

Privacy Policy

Please note: The Blind Childrens Center does not lend, sell or allow the use of our lists to any other group or organization. We respect the privacy of our supporters and friends.

 

Optima Graphics

Thank you Optima Graphics for partially underwriting the printing of this newsletter.

 

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