August/September 2014 e-Newsletter
LIGHTHOUSE OF COLLIER APPOINTS
RENATE CHEVLI MD AND DAVID VAROSKI AS DIRECTORS
Lighthouse of Collier, Inc., Center for Blindness and Vision Loss, is proud to announce the appointments of Renate Chevli MD and David Varoski as a member of the Board of Directors.
Dr. Chevli retired from Ob-Gyn in 2007 and moved to Naples in 2012. She is active in the medical association community. Dr. Chevli's interest in serving Lighthouse of Collier is to participate in advancing awareness of the available services which can assist the blind/vision impaired children and adults in our community.
Mr. Varoski is a Portfolio Manager with Northern Trust Bank. Mr. Varoski's interest in serving Lighthouse of Collier is grounded first and foremost in his desire to support the visually-impaired community.
"Dr. Chevli and Mr. Varoski's professional backgrounds coupled with their passion and energy to help our community will bring measurable contributions in fulfilling the goals and aspirations of Lighthouse of Collier," states Art Bookbinder, President of Lighthouse of Collier.
5th Annual Children's Summer Camp
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| Lighthouse of Collier 2014 Camp Video |
Another successful Lighthouse of Collier summer camp has come to a close and it was the best one yet! It was an incredible year for the camp with a 36 % increase in new enrollments,34 volunteers- volunteering over 956 hours and tons of fun, laughs and memories!
The 4 week camp was held at The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Resort. Each week featured a field trip or two and activities that kept the campers active and busy. The sensational smells led the campers to The Naples Botanical Gardens into the first of week. The campers were given a tour of the Windstar gardens, played with kinetic sand, built Lego structures and designed flower bouquets.
During the second week, the campers were caught swinging around at the Arthur L. Allen Tennis Center. What a ball the campers had playing sound ball tennis (audio foam balls designed for the blind/vision impaired). Later in the week, the campers rolled a couple of strikes at Woodside Lanes. Everyone bowled their best.
The campers splashed into the 3rd week with Old Naples Surf Shop- paddle boarding! The campers had a great time overcoming their touch/fear of water and some even stood up for the first time on the paddle boards. Later in the week, the campers learned money folding and coin identification. Then it was off to Earth & Fire to paint their pottery. The campers strolled over to Napoli on the Bay for a special pizza lunch hosted by Tony and Staff.
The campers had a total sensory experience on the 4th week of camp at The Conservancy of SWFL. The campers touched snakes, alligators, learned about different ecosystems and took a boat ride around the mangroves.
Each week the campers built a project with Home Depot and created artful pieces with the Naples Art Association.
Huge Thank You to Camp Sponsors: American Comfort Limousines, Betsy and Dale Peck, Greater Naples Alumnae Chapter of Delta Gamma, Naples Children & Education Foundation-founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, Special Needs Children's Fund, The Naples Beach Hotel and United Way of Collier County.
Thank you to the program sponsors: Arthur L. Allen Tennis Center, Woodside Lanes, Conservancy of SWFL, Earth & Fire, Home Depot #6348 South Naples, Naples Art Association, Naples Botanical Gardens and Old Naples Surf Shop.
Besides the 4 week summer camp, Lighthouse of Collier also offers monthly children's programs. Please call or visit the web site for details, 239-430-3934 Lighthouse of Collier.
THANK YOU!!!!
A BIG Thank you to American Comfort Limousines for providing camp transportation. More than half of the campers were able to participate due to the generosity of American Comfort Limousines. American Comfort Limousines donated 58 trips, 2 professional drives, Frank and Don, working over 100 hours and driving over 2,000 miles for a donation of $12,900!! American Comfort Limousines made our campers Happy Campers.
American Comfort Limousines also provides transportation for Lighthouse of Collier's Transition Program, ages 14-22.
Please remember American Comfort Limousines for your future transportation needs, 239-262-5466.
THANK YOU!!!!
NEW PROGRAM FOR TRANSITION STUDENTS
Transition Students tour The Humane Society Naples to learn job readiness skills and have a little fun with some furry friends!
The Transition Program at Lighthouse of Collier helps students transition into adult life. Students between the ages of 14-22 are provided with training skills for daily living, self- advocacy, communication, assistive technology, career skills, orientation and mobility and more! Students will join their peers in a fun group setting and learn concepts that will benefit their future.
Heather Markgraf receives $1,000 grant check from Melanie Glisson and Scripps Media, Inc., The funding will go towards a Transition Students Camping Trip planned for Fall 2014. Thank you Scripps Media, Inc., Melanie Glisson, Valerie Fluegeman and Robin Calabrese.
Transition-a passage from one place, condition, or action to another.
Contact:
Heather Markgraf- Transition Program Coordinator
Heather@lighthouseofcollier.org
Masters of Science in Orientation & Mobility
Bachelor of Science in Visual Disabilities Education (Teacher of Visually Impaired)
CONGRATULATIONS TO NIKI DONDERO
Congratulations to Niki Dondero for achieving the State Endorsement for Screen Reader assisitve technology. Niki teaches the blind/vision impaired how to be independent through assistive technology. Way to Go Niki!!
Free Telecommunications Equipment for Qualified Deaf-Blind Floridians
A.J. Sondossi, FTRI Outreach Specialist
In October 2010, President Obama signed the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) into law, granting protections to people with disabilities an access to the broadband, digital and mobile technological innovations. What many Americans don't know is that the law created the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) funded National Deaf Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) or iCanConnect. This program distributes telecommunications equipment to Deaf-Blind Americans that meet the qualifications at no cost to them. The FCC has selected Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI), to administer the NDBEDP in Florida. To learn more about NDBEDP or to learn if you are eligible, please visit
www.icanconnect.org/florida or
www.ftri.org , email
ndbedp@ftri.org, or
call FTRI at 1-800-222-3448.
Lighthouse of Collier's new video
Thank you Gary Greenfield and Performance Alliance!!
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| About Lighthouse of Collier, Inc., Center for Blindness and Vision Loss |
ON-GOING CLASSES
Adult Programs
Have you been recently diagnosed with macular degeneration, cataracts, tunnel vision or another eye condition? Who helps you learn how to socialize, navigate, communicate and feel safe in a sighted world? Lighthouse of Collier, Inc., offers classes to help the blind and visually impaired become independent in Collier County. Please call 239-430-3934 to sign up as seating is limited. Bringing a lunch is recommended.
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 27, 2014
Transition Student's event
Basic Mobility
Street Crossings
3-6pm
Contact Heather Markgraf at 430-3934
September 20, 2014
Children's event
NAPLES EQUESTRIAN CHALLENGE
RSVP required by calling LOC at 430-3934
September 27, 2014
Open to all ages
United Way of Collier County's Walk for the Way
The United Way of Collier County will host its 9th Annual Walk for the Way on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at North Collier Regional Park. Registration is at 8:00 a.m. and the Walk begins at 9:00 a.m. This 2.5-mile, family-friendly walk raises community awareness about the United Way and its important work, which helps over 100,000 residents annually in Collier County. Proceeds from the event benefit the United Way and its 31 partner agencies and the hundreds of programs and services they provide. Individuals and teams are encouraged to participate. Suggested Donation - $10 Per Family.
October 2014
Blindness awareness Month
October 9, 2014
World Sight Day
October 18, 2014
Children's event
OLDE NAPLES CHOCOLATE
945 5TH AVE NORTH, Naples, FL
10am until Noon
RSVP required by calling LOC at 430-3934
November 6, 2014
Open to Chamber Members
Chamber of Commerce Accelerated Luncheon at LOC
2685 Horseshoe Drive South, Suite 211, Naples, FL
11:30 am to 1:30 pm
RSVP required
November 9, 2014
Open to all ages
Boogie On The Beach: Music for the Soul
12:30-4:30 pm
Tickets:
Adults $75 per person-2 drink tickets
Under 18 years old $25 per person
Under 5 years old Free
Location:
The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club
851 Gulf shore Blvd. N
Naples, FL 34102
Main Lawn
November 8, 2014
Children's event
Naples Art Association at
The von Liebig Art Center
585 Park Street, Naples, FL
10am until Noon
RSVP required by calling LOC at 430-3934
December 6, 2014
Children's event
GINGERBREAD HOUSE WORKSHOP
Lighthouse of Collier
2685 Horseshoe Drive South, Suite 211, Naples, FL
10am until Noon
RSVP required by calling LOC at 430-3934
