Blind Childrens Center

4120 Marathon Street, Los Angeles, California 90029 (323)664-2153

A family-centered agency serving children with visual impairments

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IN THIS ISSUE

• At Home at the Blind Childrens Center
• Lessons from my first snow fall
• Addressing a student’s fine motor skills
• In the classroom
• Wish List

Mark West A Message from the President

Dr. Lillian Ray Titcomb ... although I never had the opportunity to meet her, I have the opportunity to be part of her vision.

Lillian Ray Titcomb, M.D., shared a vision 65 years ago with the Delta Gamma Sorority to develop an organization in Southern California that would serve the needs of children who are blind or visually impaired. Before that time, services for the education and care of these special preschool children did not exist here on the West Coast.

Over the years, the Blind Childrens Center has improved the lives of thousands of children and their families and has served as a model for other agencies throughout the world. As we celebrate our 65th anniversary, we take pride in our accomplishments and look forward to ever expanding our services to these special children and families.

We invite you to join us in this important year of celebration. Participate in the Los Angeles Marathon in March as a member of Team Blind Children, come golf at the famed Riviera Country Club at our 11th Annual Tom Sullivan Blind Childrens Center Celebrity Golf Classic on May 5th, and join us at our Annual Meeting to be held Monday, September 15th here at the Center. We are also working on our 65th Anniversary Celebration scheduled for Saturday, September 20th at the home of Hollywood director Tom Shadyak. Your support will make this year of celebration particularly special. Call the Blind Childrens Center for all the details.

I would like to extend my most sincere appreciation to Nena Lauerman for her dedication and hard work serving as President these past two years. I would also like to thank the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, parents, and our children for all their efforts.

And finally, thank you Dr. Titcomb for sharing your vision with us.

SANTA BRINGS HOLIDAY JOY

More than 40 of the Center’s students and their siblings, joined by staff, parents and friends, gathered outside the Center on Thursday, December 19th, in anticipation of Santa Claus and his elves.

Los Angeles Police Department’s Rampart and Records & Identification Divisions and the Blind Childrens Center hosted “Holiday Party With Santa,” continuing a 31-year tradition of spreading holiday joy to the families of the Blind Childrens Center.

Retired LAPD officer, Lenny Muñoz, carrying a sack overflowing with gifts, plays the role of our enchanting Santa Claus. While Santa’s visit is fun for the children, it is also a learning experience as Santa encourages the children to exercise all their senses by climbing up on his knee, exploring his curly white beard, listening to the jingle of his bells, all while enjoying the sweet taste of peppermint candy canes.

Team Blind Children Car Wash Fundraiser

Delta Gammas Suds it up!

On Saturday, November 16th, the Center’s parking lot transformed into an exhilarating production line of UCLA Alpha Sigma Delta Gammas generously giving their time and youthful energy to first-ever Team Blind Children Car Wash Fundraiser. The event was held to generate income to offset expenses at this year’s Los Angeles Marathon.

“All the girls really worked hard,” beamed Laurie Headley, event specialist for the Blind Childrens Center. “It was such a beautiful day, people were pulling up in droves to have their cars washed.”

Special thanks go to: Jenny Blake, Keri Connor, Margaret Coblentz, Carly Grovhoug, Cassidy Randall, Amber Waits, Tessa Sibbet, Kate Klorer, Heather Eastman, Caitlin Tucker, Jana Marti, Jen Leitch, and Christina Liu-Schaffer.

You too can join Team Blind Children at the 2003 LA Marathon, Acura LA Bike Tour, or 5K Run/Walk, Sunday, March 2, 2003, on behalf of the Blind Childrens Center. For a $25 donation you’ll receive a Fifo the Frog t-shirt! Just contact Laurie Headley at the Center (323) 664-2153.

Roddy Hiatt

A Man of Determination
The outpouring of affection and generosity given to the children of the Blind Childrens Center never ceases to amaze us. Having supported the Center as the coach of the LAPD Centurions Football Team, Roddy Hiatt wanted to go a step further. He brought some friends together, formed a committee, and created a not-for-profit organization for the benefit of our kids: The Roddy Hiatt Golf Tournament.

The tournament has grown from its modest beginnings of having raised $248 in 1991 to this past summer’s event bringing in an impressive $20,000 for the Center. In addition to raising funds, Roddy and his buddies give their time and muscle towards projects at the Center like most recently building a charming custom playhouse for the children.

We would like to extend a very special thank you to Roddy Hiatt and his Board of Directors for the friendship and support they have given us all these many years.

Welcome

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
On September 23, 2002, the Center had the privilege of inducting six new members to our Board of Directors. We would like to recognize new members: Victoria Haupenthal, Herb Joiner, Step Jones, Diane Lander-Simon, Rick Plath, and Jill Reinhold. The Blind Childrens Center takes great pride in welcoming these distinguished men and women to our Board of Directors.

Annual Halloween Luncheon Huge Success

Les Marraines

“It was an absolutely incredible afternoon,” gushed Ruth Ensslin, President of Les Marraines, an auxiliary group of the Blind Childrens Center. “Over 200 people joined us this year to show their support for the children.”

The hugely successful event raised over $15,000 for the Center’s programs and services. Held on October 31st at the Olympic Collection Regency Ballroom in West Los Angeles, entertainer Pat Boone was featured and sang some of his standards while introducing his new patriotic video. Costumed guests shopped the jewelry boutique and enjoyed a sumptuous lunch all to benefit the Blind Childrens Center.

In Loving Memory of…

Stanley S. Barchan, Jr.

Board members, staff, and the children, will miss Stan Barchan. His gentle heart and joyous smile touched us all. Stan passed away December 23, 2002. Our most sincere condolences to his wife, Elaine, who was at his side for over 50 years.

 

 

Nordstrom Delivers!

Kathie Spiegler, Ryan Buhr, Julia Rosholt, Jason Reynolds, and Julie Oelhafen of Nordstrom brought gifts and holiday cheer to Nadira and Ashley and all the children at the Center. Our sincere thanks to you!

 

 

Early Morning Anchor makes time for the kids

Emmy Award-winning KTLA Morning News Early Edition anchor, Emmett Miller, graciously visits the Center twice a month to read to the students.

“They all gather around him with big smiles, ready to listen to the stories,” said Executive Director Midge Horton. “The kids just love it when Emmett comes to visit.”

Emmett Miller has garnered numerous awards for his work including the Illinois Broadcasters Association’s distinction for children’s broadcasting. A former board member of the YMCA in Chicago, Emmett is focused on children’s issues with an emphasis on children with disabilities. We are grateful to Emmett for his kindness and generosity to our little ones.

Community Fund of Boeing

Executive Director Midge Horton and Director of Development Muriel Scharf graciously accept a gift from Mark Hansen and the generous Employees Community Fund of Boeing California.

 

 

In Appreciation

We thank and say farewell to Board members Elaine Barchan, who with her husband Stan, have served since the 1980s, and Sally Gallagher who served for 6 years.

In Loving Memory of…

Sue Ann Nevin
Blind Childrens Center President
1969–1970
Our love and condolences to her family. We will miss her.

 

 

 

LAPD Centurions

Family Picnic Celebration

Twenty-five Blind Childrens Center families joined LAPD officers for great food and fun to kick-off the new school year and to help the Centurions celebrate their West Coast Championship. The Los Angeles Police Department’s Centurions Football Team sponsored the picnic for the families of the Blind Childrens Center on Saturday, November 2, 2002, at Kenneth Hahn Park in West LA.

The Centurions are a non-profit organization who play football to raise money for the Center. Through their vigorous and worthy efforts, more than $100,000 has been donated to the Center over the past 22 years. Ticket admission, souvenir sales, and concession proceeds all go directly to the Blind Childrens Center.

Show your support for the Center this year by joining us for a Centurion game. You’ll have a ball! For more information contact Laurie Headley at (323) 664-2153, ext. 342.

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