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Florida Center for the Blind - Vision Beyond Sight

Florida Center for the Blind

1411 NE 22nd Avenue

Ocala, FL 3470

FREE MATTER FOR THE

BLIND

CONTACT US

Florida Center

for the Blind

1411 NE 22nd Ave.

Ocala, FL 34470

PH: (352) 873-4700

FX: (352) 873-4751

Email:

jnisbett@flblind.org

Website:

www.flblind.org

A talking prescription

system available at Walmart located on

SR 200 & Easy Street

in Ocala.

Spread the word and use this service!

If we don’t use it, we lose it!

SCRIPT TALK

1

The Beacon

Dancing in the Dark The 1st annual Dancing in the Dark was held on

Friday, March 6th at the Oak Run’s Palm Grove

Auditorium. The event was nearly sold-out,

exceeding everyone's expectations with a total

number of 215 guests in attendance!

DANCING OPTIONAL—FUN REQUIRED

The evening was filled with laughter and

merriment from those on the dance floor, and others simply

socializing. After sampling a wonderful selection of hors

d'oeuvres, guests enjoyed the music, silent auction and overall

atmosphere.

Guests became judges during the

TWIST contest, and many walked

away from the evening as winners of

various door, raffle and 50/50 prizes.

EVENING DEEMED AN OVERALL SUCCESS

Ted Warner, a member of the Board of

Directors for the Florida Center for the

Blind (FCB), was the mastermind behind

the entire event. (Continued on pg. 10)

Volume 2, Issue 1 Spring 2015

IN THIS ISSUE

Our New Facilities

Open House &

Ribbon Cutting

Spring, the Season

of New Beginnings

Dining in the Dark

Developing

Classes

2

UNMATCHED DEDICATION

The three individuals

pictured to the left

were essential in

creating the final product. Each went above and beyond, donating

materials and countless hours to create the warm, inviting and

beautiful space that all will cherish for years to come.

Starting on Left: Phil Brescia, Passionbuild Construc-

tion Consultant; Jean Brennan, Interior Designer; Chris

Franco, Sew Fine Window Treatments; and Edward

Brewer, President of FCB Board of Directors.

Our New Facilities NEW BUILDING, NEW YEAR, NEW POSSIBILITIES

FCB has recently relocated to the NE side of Ocala. The facilities

include administrative and training buildings to allow for

expansion in size and services. The renovation of the two beauti-

ful buildings was completed by Tallen Builders. Representing the

owner and providing oversight of the entire project was Phillip

Brescia, owner of PassionBuild LLC. The interior design was

completed by Jean

Brennan, with Chris

Franco helping with the

design and construc-

tion of all the window

treatments.

11

DANCING IN THE DARK DONORS:

Amore Italian Restaurant

Aunt Fanny’s Restaurant

Beef O’Brady’s

Belleview Pizza

Bently’s

Bill and Linda Thomas

Bill’s Barbershop

Blue Gator

Bo-Kay Florist

Carmine’s

Domino’s

Dr. Janine Weller, DVM

Dr. Renny Edleson, DC

Edwin Watts Golf

First Watch

Great Clips

Hardwood BBQ

Harry’s

Horse and Hound

Humane Society of Marion

County

Hungry Howie’s

Julie’s Unique

Karen Leech, Massage

Therapist @ Paradise Spa

Little Joey’s

Lois Lane Decca Realty

Marion Alachua Dog

Training Association

No Hands Engaged

Massage

Ocala Lions Club

Papa John’s

Paradise Spa

Pasta Faire

Pro Nails

Royal Oaks Country Club

Stone Creek Country Club

Therapeutic Massage of

Ocala

Trish Sands Ocala Dance

Center

Wise Guys Restaurant

LEAVE A

LEGACY Please consider

making a bequest to

Florida Center for

the Blind in your

estate plans. These

thoughtful gifts

ensure that FCB can

continue its work to

enable persons who

are visually impaired

and blind to live

safely, productively,

and independently.

Thank you!

“A State of Vision” Plate

The State of Florida offers a specialty license plate called “A State of Vision,”

which benefits the Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind, Inc. If you purchase the plate for $25.00 in one of the eight counties served by the Florida Center for the Blind, the money will come right back to FCB to help your neighbors, friends and family who may have lost their vision. For more information visit www.faasb. com

10

Board member, Ted Warner handing FCB’s Executive Director, Anissa Brescia a check for the funds raised at the Dancing in the Dark event.

Dancing Continued...

Ted, a recent client of the Center

himself, became an unbelievable

advocate for the services and

mission of FCB. Ted was able to

provide a platform allowing us to

raise funds and awareness for

potential clients, volunteers, and

supporters. The event was such a

success, Ted has already begun

planning for next year!

Make sure to check out the FCB’s

website to view additional pictures

from the event.

VOLUNTEERING CORNER

As a non-profit organization,

FCB’s volunteers are an

essential and valued part of

the team.

High school/college students

who may need volunteer

hours for course require-

ments, would be most

welcome to help.

FCB is actively seeking

volunteers to assist with

the current and future

opportunities listed below:

Current Opportunities:

- Transportation

- Receptionist

- Clerical Duties

Upcoming Events:

Open House - April 8th

Dining in the Dark - Oct. 24th

Fill out an APPLICATION to become a Volunteer today!

Call the main office or visit www.flblind.org

3

Open House & Ribbon Cutting

Wednesday, April 8th 1411 NE 22

nd Avenue Ocala

Open House: 4:00PM-6:00PM

Activities, snacks and beverages

Tour the new training and administrative

facilities, have an opportunity to meet

the instructors, staff and Board mem-

bers, and experience the challenges

created by vision loss though goggle

simulation tours, tactile learning and

much more.

The Ribbon Cutting, facilitated by the

Chamber of Economic Partners (CEP)

of Ocala, will begin promptly at 4:15pm.

Speakers for this event include: Ocala

City Mayor, Kent Guinn; President and CEO of the CEP, Kevin

Sheilley; and President of FCB Board of Directors, Edward

Brewer. For additional information call 352-873-4700 or visit www.flblind.org

FCB Store Coming Soon!

FCB will be opening a

store for clients, alum-

ni and the general

public!

The store is

scheduled to be

operating by

April 8th, 2015.

Look out for upcoming

news & a name for our

new resource for

adaptive aids.

4

In the last issue, I mentioned the Fall

being the season of changes. Well, we

have made it through the winter and are

on the cusp of spring -- the season of

new beginnings and the renewal of all

things. As I write this, we are preparing for an Open House event

that I hope each of you reading this newsletter will have the

opportunity to attend. The Open House is not just a celebration of

our new facilities; it is a celebration for all who have been touched

by the Center and for all who have been a part of helping the

Center carry out its mission of providing free services to our

neighbors who are blind and visually impaired. We have been so

incredibly blessed over the recent years allowing us to continue to

grow and improve our services and facilities.

We just recently signed a contract with the Marion County school

system allowing us to assist them in their services to school-aged

children. We are in the process of finding funding to allow us to

develop and implement a children’s program. This program would

allow us to provide services to children ages 5 through 13. This is

a critical age in any child’s development, (continued on next page)

“...the season of new beginnings and the renewal of all things.”

Spring, the Season of New Beginnings MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

9

With newly added space, FCB has been able

to integrate new classes and is encouraging

clients to train at the Center in group and

individual settings. Clients are able to form

friendships and a sense of community dur-

ing and in between classes. Enrichment

courses are offered to look more closely at

the individual, as well as basic and advance

class series to allow the clients to customize

training according to their needs, prefer-

ences and learning styles. These are the

newly added classes:

Classes

Coming Soon:

Job Readiness

Yoga

Intro to Assistive

Technology

Monthly Arts &

Crafts

Sewing

Home Repairs

Housekeeping

Developing Classes

EyeCAN

A peer facilitated group where

students explore creative solutions

to challenges faced by vision loss.

Basic Braille

Class Series

Introduction to Braille

6 Week Class

Everyday Uses for Braille

4 Week Class

Financial Management

Diabetes Management

Focus Group

Orientation 101 & 102

Introduction to building, staff,

services, basic etiquette, & overview

of resources.

Independent Living

Skills Series

Introduction to IL Skills 5 Week Course

Low Vision Adaptations 2 Week Class

Exploring the use of lighting, contrast,

sun filters, and adaptive aids.

Cooking Skills 3 Week Courses

101: Basic Skills 102: Advanced Skills

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Azulene Spa

Bagelicious

Carol Coslett

Feta Mediterranean

Cuisine

First Watch

Gem Galleria

Hair to Impress Salon

Harry's Seafood

Holiday Inn

Ivy House

Jenkins Hyundai of Ocala

La Cuisine

Latinos Y Mas

Lemieux Diamond

Company

Little Joey's Restaurant

JCV Broadcasting

Macy's

Making Waves Salon

Mary's Cuban Kitchen

Mesa de Notte Restaurant

Oasis Restaurant

Olive Garden

Pavoratti's Restaurant

Publix

Scoops Ice Cream

Stone Creek Grille

Synergistic Healing

Energy, LLC

The Braised Onion

The Ranch

Yours Truly

Anonymous Donors for

various Gift Certificates

DINING IN THE DARK RAFFLE & DOOR PRIZE DONORS

As a non-profit organization, FCB thrives

and greatly appreciates the support of our

donors and event sponsors, and we love to

show them off!

Consider becoming a Sponsor

for our upcoming Dining in the

Dark with Dignity event on Sat., Oct. 24th, 2015.

All proceeds go towards funding the services FCB

provides to clients free of charge.

Contact Jessica Nisbett at 352-873-4700 to request sponsorship

level details and benefits. 5

Welcome!

Please join us in welcoming to the Board of Directors and staff,

Staff:

Rebecca Budzinski, AT Instructor

Amy Green, Case Manager

Rik Ellis, Maintenance

DeeDee Jewett, Admin. Assistant

Andrew Ly, AT Instructor

but for a child who is blind or visually

impaired, it is essential.

These students would then continue

into our already existing Transitions

Program for students ages 14 to 22.

This is just one area of many that we

are looking into developing and

expanding.

I can not thank each of you enough

for all that you have contributed over

the years. I truly hope to see you at

Open House. Come and celebrate

with all of us and see firsthand what you have helped make

happen and learn how you can be a part of the next step of the

journey.

Anissa Brescia, Executive Director

Board of Directors:

Jeanne Von Dohre

Ted Warner

Carolyn Warnell

6

“...an unforgettable and impactful experience to better understand the challenges faced through vision loss.”

The dinner was served by the Ocala Police

Department & Marion County Sherriff’s

Office SWAT teams using their night vision

goggles. The Marion County Fire Department

authorized all exit signs and lights to be elim-

inated in the room, creating total darkness

and a unique atmosphere for family & friends

to dine and converse.

During the course of the evening, guests had

the chance to win wonderful raffle & door

prizes including a weekend getaway trip to

the GayLord Palms & ICE courtesy of JVC

Broadcasting.

See page 8 for the full list of donors.

Dining in the Dark

AN ADVENTURE IN COMPLETE DARKNESS

SPECIAL THANKS TO LAST YEARS

SPONSORS:

Presenting Sponsor

Jenkins Auto Group

Silver Sponsor

Cox Communication

JVC Broadcasting

Community Sponsor

Ocala Star Banner

Holiday Inn &

Conference Center

Best Version Media

Florida Thoroughbred

Breeders’ & Owners’

Association

BJ Trophies

The 2nd Annual Dining in the Dark event,

presented by Jenkins Auto Group, was held

on October 25, 2014 at the Holiday Inn &

Conference Center in Ocala. The purpose of

the event was to raise awareness about the

challenges faced by those who are blind or

visually impaired. Photo courtesy of the Star Banner

7

Photo Courtesy of the Star Banner

IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY & OUR CENTER

The event was extremely successful in terms

of raising funds to support the services

offered free through FCB, and generating an

enormous amount of community awareness.

The event was featured in multiple

publications including the Star Banner and

Ocala’s Good Life magazine, exposing FCB to

its community and potential clients.

Many guests stated that it was an

unforgettable and impactful experience to

better understand the challenges faced

through vision loss.

Next year’s event has been

scheduled for Sat., October 24, 2015.

Make sure to purchase your tickets in advance

for a chance to experience Dining in the Dark.

SPONSORS CONTINUED

White Cane Sponsor

Regions Bank

PassionBUILD LLC

Vicky Morrison,

ReMAX Premier

Strategic Training

Centers & Jim Payton

Realty

Big D Roofing

Patron Sponsor

Ocala Twelve LLC

Natalie Schoepf

Charlotte Simmons

Estate

Museum Eye Care

Marion Heart Associa-

tion

Gateway Bank

Campus USA Credit

Union

Insurance Office of

America

Bryant & Carol Shaw

Community Bank &

Trust

Joyce Maurer

DePalma Family

Living Trust