Blind Children’s Center Celebrates 30 Years

The Blind Children’s Learning Center celebrated its 30th anniversary Saturday by looking at the past and future of its visionary preschool program.

“Building on 30 Years of Vision” was the theme of the center board of directors’ first-ever gala, held at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach. About 160 guests attended the $100-per-person dinner-dance and silent auction, raising $35,000 for the center’s new capital campaign fund.

Inspiring School

“The first time I saw the program I was so moved I wanted to get involved,” said Cindy Bright, a center volunteer and board member.

The Santa Ana-based center operates a preschool for blind and visually impaired children ages 6 months to 6 years.

“If you go to the center you get the feeling the kids are having a great time,” said Jack Butler, chairman of the center board. “It’s a fun environment.”

The preschool is unique because for every blind child who attends there is also a sighted child, students’ siblings or children of staff members.

“We call it reverse mainstreaming,” said Ed Slater, event chairman, whose 3-year-old daughter attends the school.

“Children learn more from other children than from you and I.”

Poignant Performance

The evening’s highlight came when 10-year-old Matthew Shaw, a 1988 graduate of the program, sang “All the Gold in California.” Shaw, who is blind, hopes to be a country singer.

Guests sat in the elegant dining room at tables draped in black cloth and illuminated by votive candles on mirrored centerpieces.

They were served a gourmet dinner featuring garden greens with goat cheese salad, grilled chicken fillet, swordfish and, for dessert, a white chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce and truffle.

The center recently leased new, larger quarters at the Peace Lutheran Church and is starting a capital campaign to raise funds for their own school.

“Blind children learn the same things others learn, they just do it in another way. We place emphasis on how to get information from the world,” said Gabrielle Hass, center president.

Among the guests were Sue Ellen Austin, Thomas Bell, Paul Biegel, Peggy Blaising, Gerald DeFreece, Malcolm and Martha Green, John Heathcliff, Jane Howiler, David Korobkin, Linn Morgan, Dave and Sheri Parsonage, Eric Saltzman, Daniel Stanley, Arthur Strick, Bridget Sweenie, Brian Wachs and Michelle Whiting.