Meet our Redefining Vision Luncheon Emcee: Pat Cashman

Posted on by Robert Hanna in Luncheon, Uncategorized

We’re thrilled to welcome Seattle Actor and Comedian Pat Cashman as the emcee for our 2015 Redefining Vision Luncheon supporting Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind Foundation. We hope you can join us on Tuesday, March 31st from noon to 1:00 p.m. at The Westin Seattle Hotel and share in our employees’ stories of jobs, independence, and empowerment. Click here to RSVP today!

Photo of Pat Cashman in a black sweater
Photo of Pat Cashman in a black sweater

Pat Cashman has been a broadcast performer and writer in the Northwest for over thirty years.  Along the way, he has been a TV weatherman, talk show host, stand-up comedian, short story writer, newspaper columnist, magazine essayist, TV sports reporter, radio and TV voice-over announcer, and character voice talent in cartoons and video games. He is the announcer on Nintendo’s Super Smash Brothers which is currently the most popular video game in the world.

For several years, he was a featured performer, writer, and producer on the Seattle-based sketch TV show Almost Live! — a program that was also syndicated nationally and appeared for two years on the Comedy Central network.  For his work on that show and other projects, Cashman has won dozens of Northwest Emmys, advertising awards, radio honors, and medallions from the International Film and TV Festival of New York.

Cashman was an announcer and character actor on Disney’s Bill Nye the Science Guy Show — as well as PBS’s Eyes of Nye. Cashman was also the featured performer on National Geographic’s Amazing Planet.
Currently Pat co-hosts the Seattle TV sketch comedy show the [206], the highest-rated non-news local television show in the nation.
Cashman has hosted several popular Seattle radio shows, consistently winning newspaper readers polls as “Favorite Radio Personality.” He also won the same honor on Seattle’s “Evening Magazine’s Best of Western Washington.”

In addition, Cashman writes a weekly humor column for Robinson Newspapers and co-hosts a popular podcast, peculiarpodcast.com.

Join us on March 31st, 2015 for your chance to meet in-demand emcee and humorous, inspirational speaker Pat Cashman at our 2015 Redefining Vision Luncheon. Your attendance will support increased opportunities for independence and self-sufficiency of people who are blind, Deaf-Blind, and blind with other disabilities.

Thank You for Being Part of our Lighthouse Family!

Posted on by Robert Hanna in Photos
Employee speaker Jacob Kamaunu
Employee speaker Jacob Kamaunu

On this national day of philanthropy, #GivingTuesday, we want to say thank you for supporting our mission with your gifts of time, passion, and financial contribution.

This morning we held our annual Redefining Vision Holiday Breakfast and Donor Recognition Reception to honor some of the volunteers, board members, Legacy Society members, and donors who have made a significant impact to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. I am very grateful and honored to have been given the opportunity to attend this morning’s function and share my life’s journey and connection to the Lighthouse.

Many employees say that the Lighthouse is like a family to them. You are a member of that family!

Today we celebrate each and every one of you for helping continue our important work. Together we are transforming lives by giving individuals who are blind, Deaf-Blind, and blind with other disabilities the means to become increasingly independent and self-sufficient.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our mission and happy holidays!

Sincerely,

Jacob Kamaunu
Production Worker
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.

Seattle Lighthouse’s Summer Social

Posted on by Robert Hanna in Photos
Lighthouse Employee of the Year Salvador Huizar speaks to the crowd at Redefining Vision Summer Evening Out
Lighthouse Employee of the Year Salvador Huizar speaks to the crowd at Redefining Vision Summer Evening Out

In true Seattle style, the nearly 100 event attendees and volunteers appreciated the warm afternoon at our August 14th Redefining Vision Summer Evening Out.

Guests enjoyed the delicious hors d’oeuvres, beer from Georgetown Brewing Company, and wine from Davenport Cellars while mingling in Ethel L. Dupar’s Fragrant Garden. The smooth jazz provided by Lighthouse employee and DJ, Larry Irvin, offered a great background soundtrack for chatting with old friends and meeting new ones.

Guests also had plenty of opportunities to learn about The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.’s mission and training programs by taking a tour of our Machine Shop or participating in a hands-on technology, Braille Literacy Program, or Orientation and Mobility Program demonstration.

A big thank you to our employee speaker Salvador Huizar for sharing his story of upward mobility and leadership training as one of our 2013 Employees of the Year. As always, we were delighted to hear from President and CEO Kirk Adams as he thanked our community for its continued support and shared a little about the Lighthouse’s recent accomplishments.

Thank you also to our premier event sponsor, Amber Janitorial Inc., and Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos for attending this lovely outdoor event.

Our small silent auction raised over $1,800 and included some incredible items such as Dinner and Jazz with Kirk and Ros Adams, Chihuly Gardens and Glass Arts and Excursion Package, tickets to Bumbershoot 2014, and more!

Will this be an annual event? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Please comment on this post or contact our Events and Annual Fund Coordinator Andrea Travis at atravis@seattlelh.org  to share your feedback and ideas for summer 2015!

Making Connections at the Redefining Vision Luncheon

Posted on by Robert Hanna in Uncategorized

Check out full audio of the event, or download an mp3 by right-clicking the “Download” link below:
[powerpress]

Our 2014 Redefining Vision Luncheon was one of our best events yet!  Thank you to all our community supporters for joining us at The Westin on Wednesday, April 9th and helping us raise $100,000 to benefit The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.’s annual Deaf-Blind Retreat!

Seahawk Derrick Coleman, Jr. at the Meet and Greet portion of the Redefining Vision Luncheon
Seahawk Derrick Coleman, Jr. at the Meet and Greet portion of the Redefining Vision Luncheon

It all started with a special VIP Meet & Greet with our featured speaker, Derrick Coleman Jr., fullback/running back for the NFL Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks.  He shook hands, signed autographs, took photos, and met about 30 employees, board members, and Lighthouse community members.  Derrick was personable, relaxed, and funny!  We were so glad to have him at the Luncheon!

Lighthouse employees and musicians Andrew Stauffer (left) and Peggy Martinez (right) performing at the Redefining Vision Luncheon
Lighthouse employees and musicians Andrew Stauffer (left) and Peggy Martinez (right) performing at the Redefining Vision Luncheon

At 11:30 a.m. we enjoyed the musical stylings of several Lighthouse employees, Peggy Martinez and Andrew Stauffer.  They played several fun and upbeat covers as well as an original acoustic piece written by Andrew.  They are both incredibly talented musicians and it was nice to have some entertainment while guests socialized.

Our emcee, Rep. Cyrus Habib of the 48th Legislative District, Washington State house of Representatives, started the program at noon while lunch was served.  Cyrus is a natural public speaker and he easily kept the audience engaged and excited for every moment of our incredible program full of inspirational stories of empowerment and independence.

Rep. Cyrus Habib emcee'ing the Redefining Vision Luncheon
Rep. Cyrus Habib emcee’ing the Redefining Vision Luncheon

Cyrus shared some of his own journey as a young blind child growing up in public schools and being left alone on the playground.  He reminded everyone that teaching children and adults the proper skills such as braille, adaptive technology, and orientation and mobility is essential for building confidence and becoming a thriving community member.  He explained that that’s why the Lighthouse’s mission is also so important in creating those opportunities for independence and self-sufficiency for people who are blind, Deaf-Blind, and blind with other disabilities.

Deaf-Blind Retreat Coordinator aj granda speaking at the luncheon
Deaf-Blind Retreat Coordinator aj granda speaking at the luncheon

Cyrus then introduced our employee speaker aj granda, Deaf-Blind Education and Retreat Coordinator.  aj started her presentation by explaining to the audience that as a Deaf-Blind individual, she relies on physical connection.  Since she cannot see or hear the audience, she asked us to stomp on the floor and create vibrations that she could feel to know she wasn’t alone in the room.  She also had everyone reach out and touch the person next to them and then showed us the sign for “connection” in American Sign Language.

Luncheon guests connecting with one another during the program
Luncheon guests connecting with one another during the program

We were all very excited to hear about The Lighthouse for the Blind Inc.’s annual Deaf-Blind Retreat that takes place in beautiful Seabeck, WA each August.  aj shared that the Retreat offers Deaf-Blind individuals access to information and relationship-building activities in a fully-accessible environment.  The Retreat features educational seminars, recreational activities, and most importantly the chance to network and make connections with other members of the Deaf-Blind community.  She shared that none of this would be possible without the 120-150 volunteer interpreter/guides who put in nearly 7,000 of volunteer time in a one-week period.

We are incredibly grateful to have the support of such a great community!  As aj reminded us, Seattle has a world-class Deaf-Blind community and it takes your support year-round to make this possible!

Finally, Cyrus introduced Derrick Coleman, the first offensive deaf player in the NFL.  Derrick answered several questions, asked by aj granda, about his childhood, communications strategies, and experiences as a deaf person.  He inspired us with his confidence and story of empowerment.  He made the audience laugh when he said “If someone tells me I can’t do something I say, watch me!” and deepened our own independence by saying “nothing more painful than the pain of regret.”

Featured guest Derrick Coleman, Jr. of the Seattle Seahawks (right) speaking during the Luncheon
Featured guest Derrick Coleman, Jr. of the Seattle Seahawks (right) speaking during the Luncheon

It truly was an incredible event and thanks again to our community for your ongoing support!  A special thank you to our volunteers, table captains, Luncheon Committee members, and sponsors!

If you were unable to attend but would still like to support our mission, you can make a gift online.  Thank you!

 

 

Ethel L. Dupar Fragrant Garden Blooms with Support for the Lighthouse

Posted on by Robert Hanna in In Bloom, Photos
King County Master Gardener Helen Weber leading a guided tour at Redefining Vision In Bloom
King County Master Gardener Helen Weber leading a guided tour at Redefining Vision In Bloom

Submitted by Julie Brannon, ECS Support Services Manager  & Braille Instructor

It was a great pleasure to spend time with our guests at the Redefining Vision In Bloom event on Saturday, August 17th.  We had about 20 guests join us that beautiful morning for a fun and educational presentation.  It’s always an honor for me to get to talk to people about the benefits of braille, which I did that morning with the added delight of connecting it to experiencing the Ethel L. Dupar Fragrant Garden.  Guests also had the opportunity to hear details about The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.’s history from our President and CEO Kirk Adams.  And as always, our guests were fascinated by the personal tour by King County Master Gardener Helen Weber. The Redefining Vision In Bloom events have raised nearly $4,000 in support of our mission.  If you haven’t had the chance to have hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and a personal garden tour then you need to join our final event of the season on September 14th, 11:00am to 1:00pm.  Sign up on our RSVP page.

The 2013 Redefining Vision Luncheon was a huge success!

Posted on by Robert Hanna in Photos

 

Keynote Speaker Brett Lewis
Keynote Speaker Brett Lewis addresses the crowd at the 2013 Redefining Vision Luncheon

Thank you for supporting Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind Foundation! Our 2013 Redefining Vision Luncheon was a huge success!  Over $77,000 was raised for our Supported Employment Program, which provides employment and support for individuals who are blind or Deaf-Blind with a developmental disability.  It was a fantastic presentation by Program Manager Jodie O’Flaherty and Supported Employee Eric Swanson.

We’d especially like to express our appreciation for Emcee Barbara Ross and Keynote Speaker Brett Lewis.  And of course, a very big thank you to our dedicated volunteers and amazing sponsors… we couldn’t have done it without you!

If you were unable to attend, you can still support our mission to create and enhance opportunities for independence and self-sufficiency of people who are blind, Deaf-Blind, and blind with other disabilities.

Redefining Vision Took Flight on September 22nd!

Posted on by Robert Hanna in Uncategorized

 

Chris Loomis, Keynote Speaker of the evening, presents his personal story of discovering meaningful employment at The Lighthouse as a machinist.

 

On Saturday, September 22nd Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind Foundation celebrated its fall Redefining Vision Takes Flight event. Over 65 friends and supporters joined us at the Museum of Flight’s historic Red Barn to celebrate and support our mission of creating and enhancing opportunities for independence and self-sufficiency for individuals who are blind, Deaf-Blind, and blind with other disabilities.  The event raised approximately $8,000 in support of this mission.  Thank you to everyone who participated that night.

The fascinating venue highlighted the long relationship between The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. and The Boeing Company, as the Red Barn is the original manufacturing facility of The Boeing Co.

Set-Up Machinist Chris Loomis shared his moving story of finding the Lighthouse as a place to work after searching 46 other states for an organization that could offer him meaningful employment.  He demonstrated how accessibility measures such as American Sign Language interpreting, the addition of a large monitor, and use of calipers with a large visual display allow him to operate an Okuma machine, which produces precision parts for aerospace customers.  Chris was one of the Lighthouse’s Employees of the Year in 2010.  President and CEO Kirk Adams expressed that the Lighthouse was fortunate to have attracted someone with Chris’ skills and dedication.

We’d also like to thank Foundation President Howie Dickerman for his remarks and Otis Kenyon Winery of Walla Walla for donating a magnum of 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon as the prize for our Braille Raffle.