The Crowd: Dinner guests don blindfolds in nod to Blind Children’s Learning Center

We are in challenging and uncharted territory. All Americans must deal with COVID-19. This challenge has an added dimension for the disadvantaged, often with serious consequence.

Here in O.C., organizations of every service are scrambling to stay functioning. How do you help those needing it most in a time of government-mandated social distancing?

Offices, clinics and agencies are shuttered, under- or minimally-staffed.

Events are canceled, fundraising impeded. Coming up April 27, Orange County Giving Day under the Orange County Community Foundation is in jeopardy.

Or will the citizens that give step up?

As the columnist covering the non-profit beat, I am hearing from donors that they are being inundated with appeals for emergency funding. This county is extremely philanthropic. Economic uncertainty can alter the giving landscape. Time will tell.

The good news is that those sharing their concerns over the barrage of requests are, for the most part, writing checks. O.C. citizens care about their neighbors and the community at large.

Despite economic disparity, political divide, cultural and ethnic differences, the best spirit of the county can be found in the core belief that a great and prosperous society is only possible if the entire community participates in the common good.

Canceled events and social distancing, therefore, have not closed all of the behind-the-scenes work continuing forward to serve all people in need. As April dawns, permit me to share news of non-profit events taking place just prior to the changed world.

The Marconi Automotive Museum, the locale of many charitable gatherings in O.C., opened its large garage doors to welcome the Blind Children’s Learning Center, which is based in Santa Ana. Some 500 guests attended the Feb. 27 evening billed as “Vision Beyond Sight,” raising an impressive $250,000.

This third annual event, which organizers created as a “dining in the dark” experience, invited supporters to join together for dinner in a darkened museum while wearing blindfolds in order to enter the world of children who are blind or visually impaired.

Funds raised provide direct services to hundreds of children and families. Additionally, the center will use funding to expand comprehensive care to meet a growing local population requiring help.

The inspiring night in the dark featured a concert provided by the 2019 America’s Got Talent performers, also enjoyed by blindfolded patrons.

Presenting sponsor of the affair was the Thompson Family Foundation, joining additional underwriters, including the Glaukos Charitable Foundation, the Konopisos family, New World Medical, REduce Mortgage and Wells Fargo Advisors.

Others supporting the work of Blind Children’s Learning Center were Timothy and Michelle Dean, Carol Trapan, Barbara Alvarado and Lynda Perry, to name only a few.

Coming up, with hope that COVID 19 will be in the rear-view mirror, the 16th annual Destination Independence 5K Walk is scheduled to take place June 6 by uniting BCLC families with the O.C. community for the walk, carnival and lunch.

To learn more visit blindkids.org/transformation.

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