Venango County Association for the Blind To Hold Vision Bowl on July 29

Scott Seeley

Scott Seeley

Published July 28, 2015 4:36 am
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SENECA, Pa. (EYT) — The Venango County Association for the Blind (VCAB) will hold its first annual Vision Bowl on July 29 at Seneca Lanes.

Vision Bowl, a statewide bowling event, will benefit Venango County Association for the Blind (VCAB) and Pennsylvania Association for the Blind (PAB).

Registration begins at 6:00 p.m.

Those interested in helping can support the event in several ways, such as by volunteering; sponsoring a four man team for $100; being a table top sponsor for $50; becoming a lane sponsor for $150; or by sponsoring a team and a lane for $200. Other sponsorship opportunities are also available.

The proceeds from the event will help VCAB and PAB provide quality services and programs to your family, friends and neighbors who are blind or visually impaired.

“There is still room for more bowling teams, lane and tabletop sponsors, or other levels of sponsorship,” said Executive Director Priscilla Earhart. “Vision Bowl is being hosted by Seneca Lanes, and we are proud to announce our ‘Gold Sponsor,’ The Polish National Alliance of Oil City.”

While this event will raise funds for the operation of VCAB, they are also conducting a separate fundraiser for a transportation need.

“We are still raising money specifically for a vehicle which is needed for our Specialized Services Program and Group transport,” Earhart said.

About VCAB

VCAB was founded in 1927.

“Our mission is to provide quality and consistent service to the blind and visually impaired and to prevent unnecessary blindness,” Earhart said.

The agency provides the following services in Venango, Clarion, and Forest Counties. VCAB accomplishes this through our Specialized Services program by providing transportation and sighted guide service for medical appointments, grocery shopping, banking, and other essential needs.

Support services are also provided, such as reading mail, paying bills, filling out forms and applications, labeling, and assistance with organizing storage to enable independence.

The other major component of our service is prevention of blindness. Vision screenings, eye safety, and eye health education is provided to preschools, kindergartens, and adults in a variety of settings. Other programs offered include support group, life skills classes, craft class, and a few social/recreational events to help individual acclimate themselves to their vision loss and provide needed socialization with their peers.

Currently the agency is serving 66 individuals.

“Our numbers have been growing as a result of our outreach efforts and publicity resulting in increased public awareness,” Earhart said.

This is one of the reasons for embarking on this fundraiser, ‘Vision Bowl.’ Not only is the fundraiser necessary to aid the group in providing service to the increased number of clients, it is also an opportunity for them to create more awareness in the community of their services.

A unique component of the event is that one game will be bowled visually impaired with the use of simulator glasses mimicking, eye diseases such as Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy, all far too common eye diseases affecting people today. The group hopes that this will bring a better understanding of the need for regular eye exams and healthcare. Additionally, it is an opportunity to create a sensitivity and understanding of life for individuals who live with these diseases.

“Vision Bowl” was targeted as a statewide signature event by the Pennsylvania Associations for the Blind in an effort to increase awareness of agencies providing service as well as to raise needed funds. There are 26 agencies providing specialized services programs and prevention of blindness programs for all 66 counties in the state of Pa.

Other events being planned are “White Can Day Walk” on October 15th (anyone can join), Light up Night parade (needed items include a vehicle and trailer and volunteers to help decorating), Christmas Tree fund drive, and possibly a “Dining in the Dark” awareness and fundraising event in March.

Donations are welcome anytime throughout the year and can be made directly to the agency at P.O. Box 515 Seneca or by visiting www.venangoblind.org and donating through PayPal on the Contact page.

Individuals or businesses can also contact VCAB by calling 814-676-1876, toll free at 1-866-415-1107, or e-mail: info@venangoblind.org.

Volunteers and participation in events are always welcome.

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