Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL)
Visionaries of Tomorrow
Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) was
established in 2003 to target young professionals between 25-40 years.
This volunteer group helps raise awareness and funds through various
social activities in the community. Check out the Calendar of Events for
more information or to learn more about YPOL membership contact Cameron
Sisser at CSisser@MiamiLighthouse.org
or 786-362-7515.
2023 Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) host "Miami Lighthouse Legislative Luncheon" Underwritten
by Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman and McDonald's
Our annual Miami Lighthouse Legislative Luncheon was held on Wednesday, July 26th, in appreciation of our elected officials' support of
our Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program and our Senior Group Activities Program.
The special event provided attendees with the opportunity to meet and network with local elected officials, Miami Lighthouse Board Directors,
and other community leaders. Guests enjoyed a musical performance by our talented Miami Lighthouse Music Program student band, Styrofoam Cup,
and a fascinating tour of our newly expanded campus. We thank Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman for sponsoring the luncheon and
The Montes Family owned and operated McDonald's for providing lunch.
2022 Young Professionals of Miami Lighthouse Host Networker
The Young Professionals of Miami Lighthouse hosted a networker on Thursday, August 25th at Jaxson Maximus, a bespoke custom clothier and
fine men's luxury salon. Guests enjoyed wine, light bites and live music. The event was generously sponsored by Panorama.
We thank everyone who attended and supported our important mission.
2022 Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) host "Miami Lighthouse Legislative Luncheon" Underwritten by Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman
The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse hosted our annual Lighthouse Legislative Luncheon on July 14th honoring Miami Lighthouse
champions in the Florida Legislature. The Florida Legislature supports our Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program, as well as, our
Senior Group Health and Activities Program.
Miami Lighthouse Immediate Past Board Chairman George Foyo welcomed luncheon attendees. Music and Transition Program student,
Silvio Plata, sang and played on piano "Amazing Grace". The event concluded with a musical performance by our
Miami Lighthouse United Voices Choir and tour of our facility.
A special thank you was given to Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman for their generous sponsorship of this year's luncheon.
2022 Young Professionals Mixer at The Underline
On March 30th, the Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) joined forces with Miami-Dade Beacon Council New
Leaders Taskforce and United Way Young Leaders for a networker on the Miami River hosted by The Underline. Beverages
were sponsored by CBRE and delicious Popeyes food sponsored by Restaurant Brands International. The delightful
evening was made more special by our Miami Lighthouse Band serenading the attendees. Thank you to everyone for
making this event a success!
2021 Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) host "Miami Lighthouse Legislative Luncheon" Underwritten by Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman
The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse hosted our annual Lighthouse Legislative Luncheon
on July 14 th honoring Miami Lighthouse champions in the Florida Legislature. The Florida
Legislature supports our Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program, as well as, our Senior Group
Health and Activities Program. Miami Lighthouse Board Chairman Charles J. Nielson welcomed
luncheon attendees after which The Star Spangled Banner was played on trumpet by student,
Kaden Jamid and our Manager of Music Programs, Zachary Brown. Miami Lighthouse
Transition student Jayden Ferrell told attendees what Miami Lighthouse means to him in lieu of
an invocation and the event concluded with a musical performance by our Miami Lighthouse
Music Program Students Ensemble and tour of our facility.
A special thank you was given to Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman for their generous
sponsorship of this year's luncheon.
2019 Miami Lighthouse Chicken Championship Wing Contest
The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse hosted the Miami Lighthouse Chicken Championship sponsored by AXS Law
Group on Friday, September 13th to benefit back to school supplies for Miami Lighthouse students. The event took
place at Batch Gastropub Miami where attendees were able to network with local young professionals. Congratulations
to Lucy Foerster and Shane Phillips who were both crowned winners. Thank you to everyone who came out to help raise
funds and awareness for Miami Lighthouse!
2019 Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) host "Miami Lighthouse Legislative Luncheon"
Underwritten by Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman
The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse hosted the annual Legislative Luncheon on August 9, 2019
honoring Miami Lighthouse champions in the Florida Legislature.
The Florida Legislature supports our Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program, as well as, our
Senior Group Health and Activities Program. Miami Lighthouse Board Chairman George Foyo welcomed the
luncheon attendees after which The Star Spangled Banner was sung by our Miami Lighthouse Music
Program Participants. Miami Lighthouse Transition student Amanda Saintil told attendees what Miami
lighthouse meant to her and the afternoon ended with a musical performance by our Miami Lighthouse
Music Program Student Ensemble.
A special thank you was given to Mitch Bierman and Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman for their
generous sponsorship of this year's luncheon.
The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) hosted the Miami Lighthouse Chicken Championship
Wing Contest on Friday September 21st sponsored by AXS Law Group. The event benefitted our nationally recognized
award-winning Music Program. Guests enjoyed networking with local young professionals and a competitive wing
eating contest. Spectators cheered on six hungry participants while Corey Green took home first place and second
place went to John Reed. The winners won pompom chickens made in our Social Group Activities Program and tickets
to the University of Miami vs. Florida International University football game. Thank you to all who participated
in our annual Chicken Championship!
The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse hosted the annual Legislative Luncheon on July 11th
honoring Miami Lighthouse champions in the Florida Legislature. During the recent legislative session funding
was passed for the support of our Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program, as well as, our Senior Group Health
and Activities Program. Appreciation was also expressed to our city and county elected officials for Elder Care
funding and for assistance with the construction of our new Miami Lighthouse Learning Center for Children™.
Miami Lighthouse Board Chairman Louis Nostro welcomed the luncheon attendees after which The Star Spangled
Banner was sung by Miami Lighthouse student Silvio Plata. A special thank you was given to Thais A. Asper,
Regional Director of AT&T, for AT&T's generous sponsorship of this year's luncheon.
On March 5th Apollo Bank hosted Miami Lighthouse's Young Professionals "Visionaries of
Tomorrow" speaker series featuring guest speaker Eddy Arriola. Mr. Arriola is the Chairman of the Board
& CEO of Apollo Bank. Prior to starting Apollo Bank, Mr. Arriola was involved in several entrepreneurial
businesses including co-founding of Inktel, one of the largest call center companies in the U.S.
Mr. Arriola talked to our Young Professionals about the importance of community engagement, public
service and learning how government works. He also stressed the importance of building a good team around you to
be successful and the 80/20 rule which states 80 percent of your outcomes come from 20 percent of your inputs.
We thank Mr. Arriola for joining our Miami Lighthouse Circle of Friends.
On January 12th Miami Lighthouse's Young Professionals hosted their first "Visionaries of
Tomorrow" event featuring guest speaker and Miami Lighthouse Board Director, Donna Abood. Donna is also
Past Chair of the Beacon Council and Managing Director of Avison Young, a global real estate firm. She talked to
our Young Professionals about her own experiences building a successful career in commercial real estate and the
importance of following your dreams, staying in balance with who you are, and building strong relationships.
Members also heard an update on Young Professionals involvement in the successful fundraiser known
as the Miami Lighthouse Circle of Friends. The Circle's mission is to create an environment for professional
development and community service in order to raise awareness and funds that make a difference in the lives of
blind and visually impaired children.
The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse hosted the
annual Legislative Luncheon on July 1st, honoring Miami Lighthouse
champions in the Florida Legislature during the recent legislative
session. Honorees in attendance included Senator Gwen Margolis,
Representative Jose Felix Diaz and Representative David Richardson. Thanks
was also extended to our governmental relations guru, Bob Levy, President
of Robert M. Levy & Associates, for his important work with the
Legislature on behalf of Miami Lighthouse.
A highlight of the event, sponsored by All Aboard Florida,
was the presentation to Miami Lighthouse of a grant by AT&T. The important
new grant will enable youth who are blind or visually impaired to engage
in activities related to broadcast journalism, expanding their options for
further education in the field and employment. The presentation was made
by Alex Dominguez, Area Director of External Affairs for AT&T.
"We are extremely honored to receive support from AT&T,"
said CEO Virginia A. Jacko. "This generous grant will significantly expand
Miami Lighthouse's High School High Tech Program and provide our students
with the opportunity to explore jobs in the communications industry."
On Thursday, July 10th, the Young Professionals of Miami
Lighthouse held their annual Legislative Luncheon and networking event at
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Over ninety guests
including elected officials and aides, Miami Lighthouse board directors,
and young professionals gathered to enjoy the complimentary luncheon and
networking underwritten by All Aboard Florida. This year’s lunch honored
the Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation represented by Chair Eddy
Gonzalez and the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners chaired by
Commissioner Rebeca Sosa who was represented by Manny Orbis.
The luncheon began with Miami Lighthouse Better Chance
Music Production Program™ student Leon Stewart performing The
Star-Spangled Banner on keyboard. Ray Casas, Miami Lighthouse Board
Chair-elect, welcomed attendees and introduced Miami Lighthouse Summer
Training and Recreation Program (STAR) student Silvio Plata who gave the
invocation. Virginia A. Jacko, President & CEO, spoke about the inspiring
mission of Miami Lighthouse and the importance of leadership and uniting
young professionals, elected officials and Miami Lighthouse’s board
directors. Attendees were treated to a personal tour of Miami Lighthouse
and were able to see the many different activities that more than 150
children participate in on a daily basis in our summer camp. We thank all
the elected officials, board directors and young professionals who
attended the event.
Young Professionals of Miami Lighthouse (YPOL) and Miami
Model Citizens recently came together at a happy hour hosted by HaVen
Gastro-Lounge in Miami Beach on August 13, 2013. More than 75 young
business and community leaders gathered to network and enjoy specialty
cocktails. Proceeds from the night benefitted Miami Lighthouse for the
Blind. You can become a YPOL member by contacting Cameron Sisser at
csisser@miamilighthouse.org
or 786-362-7515.
The Young Professionals of Miami Lighthouse held their
annual Legislative Luncheon and networking event at the Miami Lighthouse
for the Blind and Visually Impaired on Tuesday, July 9th. Over seventy
young professionals and fifteen elected officials and aides gathered to
enjoy the complimentary luncheon and networking underwritten by All Aboard
Florida. The lunch honored Senator Denise Grimsley, Senator Gwen Margolis
and State Representative Manny Diaz, Jr for their support of Miami
Lighthouse and the Heiken Children’s Vision Program.
The luncheon began with Miami Lighthouse Better Chance
Music Production Program™ student Angel Wallace singing The Star-Spangled
Banner. Chairman of the Board Agustin Arellano Jr. welcomed attendees and
introduced Miami Lighthouse Summer Training and Recreation Program (STAR)
student Silvio Plata who gave the invocation.
Virginia A. Jacko, President & CEO, spoke about the
inspiring mission of Miami Lighthouse and the importance of leadership and
uniting young professionals, elected officials and Miami Lighthouse’s
board directors. Attendees were treated to a personal tour of Miami
Lighthouse and enjoyed seeing the fun and engaging activities over 150
children participate in on a daily basis. The lunch sponsor, Jose
Gonzalez, Vice President of Corporate Development for Florida East Coast
Industries at All Aboard Florida, spoke about the new convenient,
environmentally friendly and cost-effective intercity passenger rail
service being developed between South Florida and Central Florida.
We thank our sponsor, All Aboard Florida, elected
officials, aides and all the young professionals who attended the event.
Young Professionals of Miami Lighthouse recently came
together with the Miami Children's Young Ambassadors for a joint networker
where they could get to know each other and learn about both great causes.
Hosted at The Flat in Miami Beach on June 27, 2013, approximately 60 young
business and community leaders attended the event. A portion of the
night's proceeds were donated to both charities and there were drawings
for a VIP table and two $50 tabs at The Flat.
On March 13th the Young Professionals of Miami Lighthouse
(YPOL) and the Humane Society of Greater Miami met for a happy hour at the
beautiful Zen Sai at Essex House on South Beach to benefit both
organizations. More than 40 young professionals gathered to enjoy
appetizers and specialty cocktails. You can become a YPOL member by
contacting Cameron Sisser at
csisser@miamilighthouse.org or 786-362-7515. The YPOL Committee thanks
PetNet for their partnership and James Butler of Zen Sai at Essex House
for his hospitality.
On Wednesday, January 16th, SFG headed to the Betsy Hotel
in South Beach to celebrate Overture to Overtown. The celebration is part
of a week-long event thrown by the Betsy Hotel to honor the history and
culture of this community. This event kicks off their Art Deco Jazz Week
celebrations with fantastic musical performances lined up for each night
of the celebration.
On November 7th the Young Professionals of Miami
Lighthouse (YPOL) met for a relaxing happy hour at the beautiful Mayfair
Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove to toast and celebrate the completion of the
Spencer Educational Empowerment Center Challenge, which will allow for the
construction of a new fourth floor to expand Braille and technology
literacy, job readiness, and transition program for teenagers. You can
become a YPOL member by contacting Cameron Sisser at
csisser@miamilighthouse.org
or 786-362-7515. The YPOL Committee thanks Steven Bumpus and the Mayfair
Hotel staff for their gracious hospitality.
The Young Professionals of Miami Lighthouse (YPOL) held
their holiday toy drive at The Learning Express on November 4th. Children
and parents gathered to enjoy a Sunday afternoon of purchasing toys for
blind babies and children, and laughs were provided by Ziggy the Clown.
Board Director Steven Solomon welcomed everyone who attended the event and
explained what Miami Lighthouse does to help visually impaired children
and adults. The YPOL Committee would like to thank Learning Express, Board
Director Steve Solomon and everyone who purchased toys for blind and
visually impaired children.
On October 4th the Young Professionals of Miami Lighthouse
(YPOL) met for a relaxing happy hour at the beautiful Delano on South
Beach. Complimentary Bacardi cocktails were provided while members of YPOL
networked with each other. You can become a YPOL member by contacting
Cameron Sisser at csisser@miamilighthouse.org or 786-362-7515. The YPOL
Committee thanks Loni Paige for her gracious hospitality.
The Young Professionals of Miami Lighthouse (YPOL) held a
happy hour sponsored by United Teacher’s of Dade on Thursday, September
13th. More than 40 young professionals gathered to enjoy an evening of
delightful appetizers and wine. YPOL co-chair Kent Benedict welcomed
attendees to the event and thanked United Teachers of Dade for their
generosity in sponsoring the event. Guests heard from Karen Aronowitz,
President United Teachers of Dade, who spoke about the amazing work Miami
Lighthouse does for the blind and visually impaired community. To cap off
the night, Joanne Messing won the business card raffle for two tickets to
the Miami Dolphins home opener against the Oakland Raiders.
On August 10th the Young Professionals of the Miami
Lighthouse (YPOL) met for a relaxing happy hour at the beautiful SLS Hotel
on South Beach. Complimentary cocktails were provided while members of
YPOL networked with each other. You can become a YPOL member by contacting
Cameron Sisser at csisser@miamilighthouse.org or 786-362-7515.
The YPOL
Committee thanks Mario Stocco of the SLS Hotel for his gracious
hospitality.
The Young Professionals of Miami Lighthouse held their
Legislative Luncheon and networking event at the Miami Lighthouse for the
Blind and Visually Impaired on Monday, June 18th. The event was generously
underwritten by Flagler Development Company. Nineteen elected officials
were represented at the luncheon including representatives from U.S.
Senator’s Nelson and Rubio’s offices, two U.S. Congressional aides, one
State Senator and four State Representatives. Over eighty young
professionals gathered to enjoy the complimentary luncheon and networking
which were followed by a tour of the Miami Lighthouse.
The event was kicked-off with a musical performance by
Miami Lighthouse Better Chance Music Production Program™ students Eddy
Camacho, Stephanie Camacho, Oman Pedreira and Alexis Velasquez. Chairman
of the board of directors Michael Silva and chair-elect Agustin Arellano
Jr. welcomed attendees to the luncheon and introduced Miami Lighthouse
transition student Joey Chica to give the invocation, after which Juan
Pablo Paniagua, a Braille literacy program student, spoke about his
journey with Miami Lighthouse.
Virginia A. Jacko, President & CEO of Miami Lighthouse,
spoke to the group about the inspiring mission of Miami Lighthouse and the
importance of leadership and uniting young professionals, elected
officials and Miami Lighthouse’s board directors. Attendees were treated
to a personal tour of Miami Lighthouse which included the Low Vision
Center and Solutions Store, STAR and Transition summer camp programs and
the Better Chance Music Production Program™. We have 150 schoolchildren
enrolled in our summer camps. Guests enjoyed seeing the fun and engaging
activities children participate in on a daily basis here at Miami
Lighthouse. We thank our sponsor, Flagler Development Company, elected
officials, aides and all the young professionals who attended the event.
On March 7th the Young
Professionals of the Miami Lighthouse (YPOL) held a night of networking to
help raise funds for the Miami Lighthouse Better Chance Music Production
Program™ student trip to Universal Studios. Virginia Jacko welcomed
everyone who attended the event and Christopher Block, Director of
Operations at Habify, explained how to make your home comfortable,
healthy, sustainable, safe, efficient and beautiful. The Better Chance
Music Production Program™ student musician’s provided musical delights
throughout the evening.
The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) held
their holiday toy drive at The Learning Express on December 4th. Children
and parents gathered to enjoy a Sunday afternoon of purchasing toys for
blind babies and children and laughs were provided by Ziggy the Clown.
Virginia Jacko welcomed everyone who attended the event and explained to
all the children about Miami Lighthouse and what her guide-dog Kieran does
for a living. The YPOL Committee would like to thank Learning Express and
all who purchased toys for blind and visually impaired students of Miami
Lighthouse generating over 100 gifts and $500 in donations. To read the
Miami Herald article on the event click the following link "Toy
Drive To Help Lighthouse For The Blind’s Baby Program".
The Young Professionals of Miami Lighthouse held their Legislative
Luncheon and networking event at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and
Visually Impaired on Monday, June 27th. The event was generously
underwritten by Flagler Development Company. Sixteen elected officials
were represented at the luncheon including three State Senators, four
State Representatives and two U.S. Congressional aides. Sixty young
professionals gathered to enjoy the complimentary luncheon and networking
which were followed by a tour of the Miami Lighthouse.
The event began with elected officials assembled to view the unveiling of
a plaque commemorating legislative support for Miami Lighthouse programs.
Board member Agustin Arellano Jr. then welcomed attendees to the luncheon
and introduced Natalia Sulca, assistant instructor in the acclaimed Miami
Lighthouse Better Chance Music Production Program™, who delighted guests
with an inspiring vocal performance of “God Bless the U.S.A.”
Virginia A. Jacko, President & CEO of Miami Lighthouse, spoke to the group
about the inspiring mission of Miami Lighthouse and described the ways in
which the Florida Legislature helps Miami Lighthouse transform the lives
of the blind and visually impaired, from babies to seniors. Elected
officials and young professionals in attendance were treated to a personal
tour of Miami Lighthouse which included one of our Heiken mobile eye care
units, Low Vision Center and Solutions Store, STAR and Transition summer
camp programs and the Better Chance Music Production Program™, programs in
which 125 schoolchildren are enrolled this summer. Attendees enjoyed
seeing the fun and engaging activities children participate in on a daily
basis here at Miami Lighthouse. We thank our sponsor, Flagler Development
Company, elected officials, aides and all the young professionals who
attended the event.
YPOL at The Burgundy Room
The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) held
their second social of 2011 at The Burgundy Room on May 17th. More than 50
young professionals gathered to enjoy an evening of delightful appetizers
and wine provided by The Burgundy Room. YPOL co-chairs Kent Benedict and
Bert Gonzalez, Jr. welcomed attendees to the event and thanked United
Teachers of Dade for their generosity in sponsoring the event. Guests
heard from Virginia Jacko, President Miami Lighthouse, Karen Aronowitz,
President United Teachers of Dade and Linda Weiss Rose, Department Chair
Programs for the Visually Impaired MDPS, who spoke about Miami
Lighthouse’s collaboration with Miami-Dade Public Schools Programs for the
Visually Impaired. At the end of the night a few lucky winners of the
business card raffle were awarded with a dinner for two gift certificate
to Fogo de Chao and a one year membership to Normandy Gym. Photos courtesy
of Caroline Lamarre.
The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) held
their first social of 2011 at the Miami Lighthouse on February 1st. More
than 50 young professionals gathered to enjoy an evening of delightful
paella and wine provided by El Carajo, as well as, live music provided by
Miami Lighthouse musicians and comedy hour hosted by Irene Morales, Elvis
Anderson, Dan DeCotiis and Jamal Hattar.
YPOL co-chairs Kent Benedict, Ana Maria Rodriguez and Bert
Gonzalez, Jr. welcomed attendees to the event and thanked El Carajo and
the Comedians for their generosity in providing the wonderful ambiance for
the evening’s festivities. At the end of the night a few lucky winners of
the business card raffle were awarded with bottle service at UVA donated
by Jamal Hattar and original ceramic pieces created and painted by Social
Group Activities clients.
Young Professionals of the Lighthouse
(YPOL) Luncheon Underwritten
by Baptist Health South Florida
The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL)
held a luncheon and networking event at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind
and Visually Impaired on June 29. Generously underwritten by Baptist
Health South Florida, more than 35 young professionals gathered to enjoy
the luncheon which was followed by a tour of the Miami Lighthouse.
YPOL co-chair Kent Benedict welcomed
attendees to the luncheon and introduced Natalia Sulca, member of the
acclaimed Miami Lighthouse music instruction program and graduate of the
Transition program, who delighted guests with an inspiring vocal
performance of “Wind Beneath My Wings.”
Humberto Gonzalez, Jr. and YPOL co-chair
Ana Maria Rodriguez spoke to the group about the inspiring mission of the
Miami Lighthouse and described the ways in which the organization changes
lives. One lucky guest won the business card raffle, which included an
original ceramic piece created and painted by a Social Group Activities
client as well as two music CDs performed and recorded by students in the
music program.
Young professionals in attendance at the
luncheon were treated to a personal tour of the Miami Lighthouse by
President and CEO Virginia Jacko. The tour included a visit to the new Low
Vision Center and Solutions Store as well as various summer camp programs.
Attendees enjoyed seeing the fun and engaging activities children
participate in on a daily basis.
The 2010 Project Goal for the YPOL is to
raise $10,000 for the Children’s Program to purchase note takers for blind
children which will aid their educational pursuits. We thank all those in
attendance for contributing towards this goal.
Young Professionals of the
Lighthouse (YPOL) Networking Event at
Angelique Euro Café
The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) held a networking event
at Angelique Euro Café in Coral Gables on September 7. More than 40 young
professionals gathered to enjoy an evening of delightful food and drinks,
as well as live music provided by Miami Lighthouse musicians.
YPOL co-chair Agustin Arellano, Jr. welcomed attendees to the event and
thanked Angelique Euro Café owners Carlos and Yolanda Rossi for their
generosity in providing the wonderful venue, as well as delicious hors
d’oeuvres, beer, and wine. Miami Lighthouse instructor Isabel Chica spoke
to the group about how blind children are able to take notes in school and
brought along a traditional Perkins Brailler and Mountbatten Brailler to
demonstrate.
YPOL co-chair Kent Benedict presented one lucky winner of the business
card raffle with an original ceramic piece created and painted by a Social
Group Activities client. Young professionals in attendance were treated to
handmade thank you cards created by children who participated in the Miami
Lighthouse Summer Camp 2010.
Young Professionals of the Lighthouse
(YPOL) 2010 Kick-off Event at
Perricone’s Marketplace & Café
On February 24, 2010, the Young
Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) kicked off the 2010 year with an
exclusive event at Perricone’s Marketplace & Café in downtown Miami. Over
60 young professionals gathered to celebrate the launch of the book The
Blind Visionary -- the powerful, true story of Miami Lighthouse for
the Blind’s President and CEO, Virginia Jacko.
The evening began with complimentary wine,
beer, and hors d’oeuvres -- generously provided by Perricone’s – and as
the YPOL members socialized with one another, they were treated to the
rich sound of jazz, skillfully performed by the talented Miami Lighthouse
for the Blind musicians. All attendees received a signed copy of
Virginia’s book.
YPOL co-chair Kent Benedict welcomed
attendees to the event and spoke about the mission of the Young
Professionals of the Lighthouse. YPOL member and father of a visually
impaired child Humberto Gonzalez Jr. gave a personal account of his
family’s experiences with the Blind Babies Program. Finally, Miami
Lighthouse for the Blind CEO, Virginia Jacko, shared with the audience her
long journey from her professional career as Director of Financial Affairs
at Purdue University to becoming the leader of the Miami Lighthouse – and
the lessons she had learned along the way.
The 2010 Project Goal for the YPOL is to
raise $10,000 for the Children’s Program to purchase note takers for blind
children, which in turn will aid their educational pursuits. We thank all
those in attendance for contributing towards this goal.
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