Our 95th Anniversary Fund was announced officially during our October 26th See the Light luncheon at The Historic Biltmore Hotel to a crowd of over 250 donors and supporters. All fund donations will be matched by our "95th Anniversary Matching Team". With your help contributing to this important program we will be able continue building upon our status as a National Center of Excellence in Low Vision & Vision Rehabilitation.
Led by Emcees Marissa and Julia Bagg, NBC-6 Journalists, a heartwarming musical performance of "This Little Light of Mine" was sung by our adorable Miami Lighthouse Academy Second Grade Class. Dr. Kirk Adams, Managing Partner, Innovative Impact LLC and Former President and CEO of American Foundation for the Blind, gave an inspiring Keynote speech. The call to action continued with a moving testimonial by Caterina Sastri, Miami Lighthouse Board Director and her son Lorenzo a Miami Lighthouse Academy graduate. Caterina and Lorenzo shared the many ways, big and small, in which the audience can help make a difference at Miami Lighthouse.
The event raised over $200,000 which will be matched dollar for dollar by the new 95th Anniversary Fund or The Wildflower Foundation Matching Challenge for art and music. Sponsors for this year's luncheon included TD Bank, Avante-NEA Insurance Group, The H. Angela Whitman Foundation, Norma Jean Abraham, Genesis Systems Consulting and Murgado Automotive Group.
Caterina and Lorenzo Sastri, Miami Lighthouse Board Director and Former Miami Lighthouse Academy Student
Keynote speaker, Kirk Adams , PH.D.
Emcees Marissa and Julia Bagg, Journalist, NBC-6
Miami Lighthouse Board Director David Harrison, Miami Lighthouse Board Director Peter Harrison, Virginia Jacko and Michael Harrison
Norma Jean Abraham and Virginia Jacko
Greta Mclaney, Boad Director Angela Whitman and Virginia Jacko
Miami Lighthouse announced two new challenges at the annual See the Light Luncheon held at The Biltmore Hotel on October 27th. The Wildflower Foundation challenge encourages support for our year-round music and tactile art programs, which improve employment opportunities and provide social support for our visually impaired children and adults. The Family Foundation challenge will lend support to sustaining our Miami Lighthouse Academy for visually impaired early learners through 2nd grade and our inclusion model Pre-K, which enrolls visually impaired and sighted early learners.
Nearly 300 guests enjoyed a delicious lunch and watched a fascinating program led by Emcee Marissa Bagg, NBC-6 Journalist. A heartwarming musical performance of "Three Little Birds" was sung by our adorable early learners from our Miami Lighthouse Academy. Jason Eckert, Executive Director at Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation, gave an inspiring Keynote speech, urging attendees to be bold and stand up for the rights of the blind and visually impaired. The call to action continued with the parent testimonial presented by Ali Mandsaurwala, Miami Lighthouse Board Director whose daughter Naaya attends our Miami Lighthouse Academy. Ali shared the many ways, big and small, in which the audience can help make a difference at Miami Lighthouse.
Miami Lighthouse Academy Students perform "Three Little Birds"
Emcee Marissa Bagg, NBC-6 Journalist with Miami Lighthouse Board Director Ali Mandsaurwala
Jason Eckert, Executive Director Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation with CEO Virginia Jacko
The event raised over $200,000 which will be matched dollar for dollar by the two challenges. Sponsors for this year's luncheon included Northern Trust Bank, NEA Insurance Group, The H. Angela Whitman Foundation, TD Bank, DEX Imaging and Norma Jean Abraham.
Miami Lighthouse announced a $1 million dollar challenge grant from a generous anonymous donor, to encourage matching support for the CVI Collaborative Center. The CVI Collaborative is the first between educators, medical professionals, researchers and service providers in the State of Florida, responding exclusively to Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI), the #1 cause of pediatric visual impairment in the developed world.
The collaboration was unveiled at Miami Lighthouse’s “See The Light Luncheon” on October 20th at The Biltmore Hotel in front of an audience of benefactors, stakeholders, elected officials and education professionals. Over 200 guests enjoyed a delicious lunch and watched a fascinating program led by Emcee Jessica Vallejo, CBS-4 News reporter.
President & CEO Virginia Jacko and Emcee Jessica Vallejo
The program began with Miami Lighthouse’s Music Program’s United Voices Choir singing moving gospel songs, followed by a performance by our adorable early learners from our Miami Lighthouse Academy LLC.
Miami Lighthouse United Voices Choir
Performance by our Miami Lighthouse Academy students
The keynote speech was given by blind program participant Marin Baumer who inspired our guests. She told her story of how Miami Lighthouse for the Blind gave her hope, independence, and confidence.
Keynote Speaker Marin Baumer
A parent testimonial was also given by Caterina Sastri whose son Lorenzo has CVI. Caterina said, “I was frantic to help my child when a new ophthalmologist told me about the Miami Lighthouse and I enrolled him in the pre-school program at the age of 2. Through a specialized CVI assessment it was found that with the right support he is able to access his curriculum visually. Ladies and gentlemen, Lorenzo is now reading text at grade level with the appropriate adaptations, support and technology in place, thanks to the Miami Lighthouse to the Blind.”
Caterina Sastri and Virginia Jacko
The highly successful event raised nearly $250,000 which will be matched dollar for dollar. Sponsors for this year’s luncheon included The H. Angela Whitman Foundation, PNC Bank, Raul Leal, NEA Insurance Group and Norma Jean Abraham.
2020 See The Light Lunch Video
Miami Lighthouse's annual signature event, our "SEE THE LIGHT" Luncheon, was held on Thursday October 29th. In past years, we've welcomed over 250 guests from our philanthropic family to a luncheon with music, entertainment and heartfelt remarks from program participants.
In keeping with the times of social distancing we went virtual. Instead of 250 guests in a ballroom, we had nearly 1,000 attendees view our virtual program. The production was sponsored by PNC Bank which featured an exclusive performance by Latin superstar Willy Chirino and Chirino Sisters, students in our Lighthouse Learning Center for Children™, Miami Lighthouse client Marin Baumer, student and parent Naaya & Ali, and the virtual groundbreaking ceremony of the expansion to our Lighthouse Learning Center for Children™!
CLICK HERE to view our Virtual See The Lunch page and the list of our “Table Captains”.
The spectacular new contemporary clubhouse of the Riviera Country Club in Coral Gables was the scene of this year’s “See the Light” luncheon on Thursday, October 24th. Over 250 guests enjoyed wine and hors d’oeuvres before sitting down for a wonderful lunch and watching a fascinating program led by Emcee Marissa Bagg, a journalist from NBC-6.
Board Director Scott Richey and Emcee Marissa Bagg
The program began with Miami Lighthouse’s Music Program student Silvio Plata singing “Por Ti Volare”, followed by a singing performance by the adorable early learners from our Miami Lighthouse Learning Center for Children™. Virginia A. Jacko, President & CEO, announced the "Light the Way" Video which introduced our 90th Anniversary $4.5 million one-for-one matching challenge to raise $9 million to expand the Miami Lighthouse Learning Center for Children™.
Silvio Plata, Miami Lighthouse student
Performance by our Miami Lighthouse Learning Center for Children™
The keynote speech by blind Paralympian Danelle Umstead held the audience spellbound as she told her story of how the Miami Lighthouse believed in her as a blind downhill skier and how she ultimately became a 4-time Paralympic ski medalist, the first blind contestant on Dancing with the Stars, and today is a sought-after motivational speaker. To give back to the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, she traveled to Miami and spoke pro bono.
Keynote Speaker Danelle Umstead and President & CEO Virginia Jacko
The highly successful event raised more than $150,000, which will be matched dollar for dollar, according to President & CEO Virginia Jacko. Sponsors for this year’s luncheon included GenSpring/SunTrust Private Wealth, H. Angela Whitman Foundation, Norma Jean Abraham, El Carajo International Tapas & Wines, Monster Sound Production, Orchids by Olivier and Marlen Caudron, and MultiVision Video & Film.
For the more than 250 community leaders who attended the annual "See the Light" luncheon on October 25th, the focus was on how Miami Lighthouse has transformed the lives of the blind and visually impaired in our community. The theme of excellence in vision rehabilitation was demonstrated by the speakers and musicians on the program which began with "You Raise Me Up" by vocalist Arantza Espinosa, Miami Lighthouse student and winner of Melodias del Alma, the first International Blind Singing Competition and The Children's Trust Young Talent Big Dreams 2012 competition. They keynote address was given by Joseph Chica, former Miami Lighthouse program participant and current student at the University of Miami who was accompanied by his guide dog Gunner. Joseph told the luncheon guests how his family enrolled him in the Miami Lighthouse Early Intervention Program at age three. He continued to receive vision rehabilitation training throughout his school years, learning how to use a white cane and participating in orientation and mobility training which was a prerequisite for his getting a guide dog.
In her remarks CEO Jacko expressed gratitude for the vision rehabilitation training she received at Miami Lighthouse that enabled her to fully utilize her executive skills after becoming blind and to lead the organization dedicated to helping others learn how to excel despite vision loss and to lead confident, independent and productive lives. Attendees viewed a video underwritten by event sponsor Northern Trust entitled "It's Possible to See without Sight™" which showcased the comprehensive scope of the transformational vision rehabilitation and eye care programs offered by Miami Lighthouse.
Miami Lighthouse serves 35 times as many program participants as it did in 2004, now providing life-changing vision rehabilitation and eye care to more than 17,000 individuals annually. To help meet this extraordinary increase, luncheon guests were apprised of the opportunity to participate in two dollar for dollar challenges to help Miami Lighthouse empower visually impaired program participants. The new four-year Wildflower $1 million matching challenge will support visually impaired participants in the Music and Tactile Art Programs, and the Spencer challenge of up to $500,000 a year to sustain programs for blind early learners in the Miami Lighthouse Learning Center for Children™ continues for the next three years. For information on how you can support services for the blind and visually impaired in our community call CEO Virginia Jacko at 305-856-4176.
The program concluded with a spirited rendition of "We Are Family" performed by the visually impaired program participants of the Miami Lighthouse United Voices Choir. Sponsors of the See the Light luncheon included Northern Trust, The Art of Shaving, Norma Jean Abraham, an anonymous donor, Monster Sound Productions, Rimland's Nursery and El Carajo.
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Arantza Espinosa, Miami Lighthouse student and winner of Melodias del Alma,the first International Blind Singing Competition |
Joseph Chica, accompanied by his guide dog Gunner, former Miami Lighthouse program participant and current student at the University of Miami |
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Norma Jean Abraham and President and CEO Virginia Jacko |
Christine Stiefel, President and CEO Virginia Jacko and Board Director Angela Whitman |
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Trish and Dan Bell with President and CEO Virginia Jacko |
Chuck Nielson, President and CEO Virginia Jacko, Olga and Charles D. Nielson |
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Event Sponsor The Art of Shaving |
Emcee John Morales and President and CEO Virginia Jacko |
For the 200 community leaders attending our 2017 See the Light Luncheon, the focus was on the opportunity to raise funds necessary to sustain programs that improve the lives of children through our new innovative Learning Center for early learners.
On October 12, the See the Light Luncheon filled the ballroom at the Riviera Country Club in Coral Gables with enthusiastic supporters who learned about the capabilities of the blind from various perspectives.
Keynote speaker and best-selling author and survivor of the World Trade Center disaster Michael Hingson urged the audience to stand up for the rights of the visually impaired and empower them to achieve their full potential. He noted that the unemployment rate among the blind currently stands at 70 percent, even though a clear majority of that population is able to join the workforce.
"It's not that blind people can't do the jobs," Mr. Hingson said. "It's other people who don't believe that blind people can do the job."
Later in the luncheon, philanthropist Mary M. Spencer announced that she has established a new challenge grant, which will match dollar for dollar private contributions to Miami Lighthouse during the next four years to a maximum of $2 million. She explained that the challenge is intended to motivate others to support the Miami Lighthouse Learning Center for Children™ to create the type of opportunity for today's blind children that Mr. Hingson advocates.
Sponsors of our See the Light Luncheon included The Art of Shaving, JM Private Insurance, GenSpring Family Offices and Serendip-A-Tea.
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Keynote Speaker Michael Hingson |
CEO Virginia Jacko, Dr. Harry Flynn and Board Director Angela Whitman |
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Board Director George Foyo and Luisa Foyo, with Trish and Dan Bell |
Event Sponsor and Honorary Board Director Bill
Beckham,
Event Sponsor Norma Jean Abraham, CEO Virginia Jacko and |
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Event Sponsor The Art of Shaving |
Event Sponsor GenSpring Family Offices |
The Wildflower Foundation, offered a one-for-one matching challenge to donors of $150,000 to be raised by the end of 2016, the first year of a four-year matching challenge. Funds raised will be used for critical program support.
Generously underwritten by Nostro Jones, P.A., GenSpring Family Offices and the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation, the event was attended by nearly 300 community leaders at the Riviera Country Club.
NBC-Channel 6’s John Morales emceed the event that began with a performance by Miami Lighthouse Music Program student Danays Bautista who sang “Amazing Grace.” The keynote speaker was Paul Schroeder, Consultant & Past Vice President of the American Foundation for the Blind, who has been totally blind since early childhood. Mr. Schroeder spoke about the important role of the Miami Lighthouse in the lives of the blind and visually impaired.
Guests viewed a video produced by Multivision that features Miami Lighthouse clients participating in various programs.
Miami Lighthouse marked the start of its 85th year serving the blind and visually impaired with CEO Virginia Jacko announcing at its annual See the Light luncheon that the Braman Family Foundation has pledged a $1 million leadership gift toward the expansion of its Center of Excellence to create a new facility, the Lighthouse Learning Center for Visually Impaired Children, which will be matched by an anonymous donor. The much needed new Center will serve as a pre-kindergarten for blind three-and four-year olds, an early intervention center for children from birth to age three and provide a venue for learning laboratories and recreation.
Keynote speaker Thomas J. Wlodkowski, Comcast Vice President for Accessibility, told the audience about Comcast’s collaboration with Miami Lighthouse to pilot the new Comcast Talking Guide. The Spanish language version of the Comcast Talking Guide was unveiled at the luncheon. The innovative new system allows a visually impaired person, using either English or Spanish, to access TV program selection through audio output.
Emceed by Coral Gables Chamber President & CEO, Mark Trowbridge, the event was sponsored by Comcast, Nostro Jones P.A. and GenSpring and was attended by more than 250 community leaders and philanthropists. Hors d’oeuvres were provided by Norma Jean Abraham and Lighthouse logo cookies were provided by Jan Morrison.
For information: Cameron Sisser, 786-362-7515, or visit www.miamilighthouse.org.
Hosted by Bessemer Trust, Shutts and Bowen LLP and the Miami Dolphins, more than 200 of South Florida’s philanthropists and community leaders attended the See the Light Luncheon at Riviera Country Club on November 14th. With the generosity of the Wildflower Foundation, a new incentive challenge was announced which will run through the end of 2014.
Operating funds were raised to support programs, such as Braille literacy, computer and digital technology and math laboratory curriculum, to empower young children and teenagers with skills to be competitive and highly productive despite their blindness. Funds will also be used to support Miami Lighthouse’s nationally recognized Better Chance Music Production Program™ student vocalists and musicians.
Miami Lighthouse’s Better Chance Music Production Program™ student vocalist Angel Wallace began the lunch by singing “God Bless the USA,” and Keynote Speaker Pete Gustin, who has overcome his visual impairment to become the voice over artist of the Miami Dolphins, spoke to attendees about programs and services Miami Lighthouse provides and how essential they are to the community.
Supporters and sponsors of the lunch will enable Miami Lighthouse to educate more blind and visually impaired youth and empower them with the skills necessary to live successful, independent lives. According to CEO Jacko, these funds will help meet the demand of a nineteen-fold client increase since 2004; now serving 9,500 individuals annually.
For more information call Cameron Sisser, 786-362-7515 or visit www.miamilighthouse.org
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Hosted by Bessemer Trust, Shutts and Bowen LLP and Commissioner Sally Heyman, more than 200 South Florida community leaders attended the See the Light Luncheon at La Gorce Country Club on November 15th.
Major contributors to the capital campaign honored with ceramic plaques made by blind children and adults were The Reverend Marta Weeks, Jan and Dan Lewis, Penny and Roe Stamps, Jacquelyn Hegamyer Hinckley and Katharine Hegamyer. Ruby Jubilarians were also recognized.
Operating funds were raised to support programs in the new facility, such as, Braille literacy, computer and digital technology and math laboratory curriculum, to empower students with skills to be competitive and productive despite their blindness.
The new Fourth Floor Spencer Educational Empowerment Center will allow Miami Lighthouse to educate more blind and visually impaired youth. According to CEO Jacko this expansion will help meet the demand of a fourteen-fold increase since 2006; now serving 9,500 program participants annually.
For more information call Cameron Sisser, 786-362-7515 or visit www.miamilighthouse.org.
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Board Director Louis Nostro, Managing Partner Joseph Bolton, Esq., CEO Virginia Jacko, and Chairman Owen Freed |
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Bessemer Trust Managing Director Michael Marquez, Florence Hecht, Commissioner Sally Heyman, CEO Virginia Jacko, Board Director Ray Casas |
Miami Lighthouse held its sixth annual Share the Vision luncheon at La Gorce Country Club on October 6. At this year's 2010 Share the Vision luncheon, the Educational Empowerment Challenge was announced, a $500,000 matching incentive to expand educational opportunities for our visually impaired students, our professional staff and for internships. This match will also be used to expand our year-round programming for children focusing on Braille and technology literacy and pre-Braille literacy training for our blind babies and their caregivers.
Owen S. Freed, Esq., Chairman of the Board, and Virginia Jacko, Miami Lighthouse President and CEO, presented a beautiful crystal lighthouse to Louis Nostro, Esq., Miami Lighthouse Board Director, and Joseph D. Bolton, Managing Partner, Shutts & Bowen, to honor the law firm for 80 years of dedication and pro bono service to Miami Lighthouse. In 1935, Colonel Shutts of the Miami Herald asked his young lawyer associate Preston Prevatt to provide pro bono service to incorporate Miami Lighthouse, a newly formed private agency serving the blind of Miami. Since then, Shutts & Bowen has supported Miami Lighthouse through legal services and generous donations.
Guests were treated to the musical talents of students who participate in our nationally recognized music inclusion program as they entered the venue. Miami Lighthouse summer camp children Jayden Ferrell and Silvio Plata, delighted the crowd with “Wheels on the Bus” and “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” while Joseph Chica gave a moving invocation.
More than 200 of South Florida’s philanthropists and community leaders attended this extraordinary luncheon, generously underwritten by Bessemer Trust. Guests enjoyed wine provided by Gulf Wine Merchants and beautiful hand-made ceramic centerpieces created by Miami Lighthouse blind and visually impaired adults in the Social Group Activities program.
Miami Lighthouse Board Director Ramón Casas challenged attendees to imagine what vision impairment is like, and spoke about the importance of the matching grant challenge. He praised the Educational Empowerment Challenge as an example of true philanthropy and pointed out the power of a matching gift, encouraging guests to participate in the challenge.
Miami Lighthouse has received its third consecutive 4-star rating, the
highest rating possible, from Charity Navigator in recognition of its
ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances.
The notification letter states: “Only 13% of the charities rated by
Charity Navigator have received at least 3 consecutive 4-star evaluations,
indicating that Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and
outperforms most other charities in America."
To view the full press release and the award letter from Charity Navigator
click
here.
Miami Lighthouse is pleased to announce a way for new and existing donors to double the impact of their charitable giving: the One Million Dollar Challenge in Memory of Sash A. Spencer. Through this challenge all new donations or gifts of an increased amount from existing donors between $100 and $150,000 will be generously matched by Mary Spencer.
Over 250 of South Florida’s most generous philanthropists and community leaders were on hand to watch Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired accept the first $250,000 installment of the “One Million Dollar Challenge in Memory of Sash A. Spencer,” an incentive matching gift from philanthropist Mary M. Spencer at the 4th Annual “Share the Vision” fundraising luncheon November 12 at La Gorce Country Club. Thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Spencer, all new donations or gifts of an increased amount from current or past donors between $100 and $150,000 will be matched in the memory of her beloved husband, Sash A. Spencer.
This year’s luncheon, generously underwritten by Bessemer Trust, raised $350,000 for programs and services offered to blind and visually impaired children and adults. Guests enjoyed wine from The River Wines and beautiful table centerpieces designed by Epicure Events which incorporated hand-made ceramic pieces created by Miami Lighthouse blind and visually impaired children and adults.
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Miami Lighthouse has been continuously accredited by the National Accreditation Council For Blind and Low Vision Services (NAC) since 1978 and The Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) since 2017 distinguishing that an agency or school operates at the highest level of quality and is positioned to generate the outcomes needed by the clients.
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Enjoy 10% off your first purchase at the
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If you know someone affected by vision loss, check out our virtual "Living with Low Vision" series supported by Florida Blue, visit: https://lighthouseshop.org
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Miami Lighthouse is AER accredited distinguishing that an agency or school operates at the highest level of quality and is positioned to generate the outcomes needed by the clients.
Miami Lighthouse received the coveted Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce 2023 Nonprofit Business Innovative Excellence NOVO Award with an organizational budget of $2 million and above.
Miami Lighthouse ranks among the elite 1% of U.S. nonprofits having earned 13 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator, the nation's premier independent nonprofit evaluator. Receiving such a distinction reflects our sound fiscal management, responsible use of donor dollars, and financial strength.
Early Intervention Blind Babies Program Named the Children's Trust 2016 Program of the Year. This most prestigious award recognizes this Early Intervention Program, in particular, for including parents as teachers.
Miami Lighthouse Learning Center for Children™ is a Florida gold seal and nationally Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment (APPLE)
Miami Lighthouse was recognized at the 2015 Florida Blue Foundation Sapphire Awards luncheon as an organization that has demonstrated excellence and innovation in community health.
Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious 2015 Beacon Award in Education at the 13th Annual Beacon Council Awards.
Miami Lighthouse is a two-time Charity Partner (2013 and 2014) of the Marlins Foundation and a 2017 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Legacy Partner. Our Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program has received over $300,000 in charitable donations through these partnerships.
Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious 2008 Concern Award from Health Foundation of South Florida.
Miami Lighthouse received a Silver medal at the 2016 Miami Today Gold Medal Awards Ceremony.
Miami Lighthouse named "Best of Miami" Charity 2017 by the New Times.
Miami Lighthouse received United Homecare's 2012 Thelma Gibson Community Service Award at the 18th Annual Claude Pepper Memorial Awards Ceremony.
Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious South Florida Business Journal 2011 Excellence in Health Care Award in the Community Outreach category.
Miami Lighthouse honored by being named the recipient of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce 2010 Non-Profit Business Diamond Award.
Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious 2020 award for "Best in Nonprofit" campaign by PRWeek referred to as the "Oscars of the PR industry".
Miami Lighthouse is proud to be a strategic partner with ABLE United, Florida's disability savings program, to learn more visit www.ableunited.com
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