Dinner in the Dark

Vision for Independence Center held its 3rd annual Fundraiser, a Dinner in the Dark, on October 21, 2011 at the Yakima Valley Museum. 120 blindfolded guests again attended the event. They enjoyed a delicious meal while learning and sharing in this unique experience of dining without sight. Thanks to the generous support of businesses and community members, our 2011 fundraiser was the most successful to date. Together we raised over $11,000!

The evening began with hors d’oeuvres and sparkling cider, along with wine generously donated by Wineglass Cellars. Talented young singer and musicians from West Valley entertained the guest as they bid on over 65 silent auction items. At dinnertime, guests were blindfolded and guided to their tables by volunteers from VIC and area Lions Clubs:  West Valley, Naches, Naches Sunshine and Tieton. The evening meal was catered by New Hope. Beautiful table centerpieces were donated by The Findery.

The funds raised will allow us to continue offering low vision examinations and equipment to people regardless of their finances. Your support will also help us to reach our current goals of expanding the selection of low vision devices and extending clinic and store hours to better serve our patients and their families.

View pictures from the 2011 Dinner in the Dark

 

Two Lions are selling raffle tickets to guests2011 Event Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor (Over $1000)
Yakima Lions Club (downtown)

Gold Sponsor ($750-999)
Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute
Washington Fruit & Produce Co.

Silver Sponsor ($500-749)
Dr. Richard Ehlers, Ophthalmologist
Elliott Insurance Service, Inc.
Abbott’s Printing
Vision Craft, Inc.
Conover Insurance
Naches Sunshine Lions Club

Guests are enjoying their hors d’oeuvresBronze Sponsor ($250-499)
Harvey Monteith Insurance
Figgs Eye Clinic

Special Thanks
Wineglass Cellars
Dick Graf, Graf Insurance
Terrace Heights Subway
Ben Graf, Central Washington Insurance
Doran Riehl, D.D.S.
Greg Nelson of  Prediletto, Halpin, Scharnikow & Nelson
Fred Meyer
The Findery
Starbucks
Linda Roth, State Farm Insurance
New Hope Industries

Guests are being greeted at check-in table

Table Sponsors
Selah Vision Clinic
Ellensburg Les Schwab Tire Center
Susie Temple
Bruce Heiser of  MorganStanley  SmithBarney

Volunteers

A Lions volunteer is serving water to
blindfolded guests at table
MC: Mary Lorenz
Music:  Camille Ridd, Bonnie Blanchard, Madeline Duffy, Jeremy Clerich, Isaac Lund, and accompanist Mrs. Danene Knudsen
Photography:  Lowell Kinney of Kinney Photography
Event Staff:  Members from the Yakima Lions Club, West Valley Lions Club, Naches Lions Club, Naches Sunshine Lions Club, Tieton Lions Club and VIC clinic volunteers
Website: Danielle Surkatty, Yakindo Web Designs

Donors to Silent Auction

Antojitos Mexicanos
Ballesteri’s Coffee House

Two blindfolded guests are having fun
while being guided to their table Bary Walters, Golf Pro at Yakima Elks Golf and Country Club
Capitol Theatre
Carey Motors
Carol Stuhley
Cascade Eye Center
Creatively Twisted
Dave Brown
Donna Vargo
Essencia Artisan Bakery
Garden Girl Gift Shop
Gaye McCarthy
Olive Garden
Geanette Strohsal
Green Baron Landscaping Services

Lions are blindfolding guests Hahn Motor Company
Inklings Bookstore
Kebab House
Lela Hansen
Loma Linda Orchards, Ellensburg
Mary Kraining and Rosie Steeling
Melinda’s Family Hair Salon
Memorial Hospital – O’Hana Mammography  Center
Memorial Hospital – The Springs
Mount Adams Golf Club
North Town Coffeehouse

Anna Wilson, one of our volunteer singers Outback Steakhouse
Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute (PCLI)
Patrick Coleman
Piety Flats Mercantile and Winery
Quality Scuba and Adventure Travel of Yakima
River Ridge Golf Course
Santiago’s Gourmet Mexican Restaurant
Selah Ridge Lavender Farm
Selah Vision Clinic
Spa Naturelle
Stem’s of Yakima

Blindfolded guests are concentrating hard
while eating their sala Suntides Golf Course
Taj Palace Restaurant
The Beer Shoppe
The Seasons
Tieton Drive Animal Clinic
Tom Tom Espresso
Westwood Golf Course
White Pass Ski Company
Windy Point Vineyards
Wineglass Cellars
Wray’s Thriftway
Yakima Symphony
Yakindo Web Designs

Click here to read a full report about the 2010 event and to see  pictures of the 2009 event.