A Century of Service: Celebrating Our Past - Focusing On the Future January 2011 – December 2011

Originally known as the Missouri Association for the Blind, the Society was founded in 1911 by James C. Jones and other St. Louis citizens to help prevent blindness, promote vision conservation, and render services to blind people, including helping them to find employment. Mr. Jones served the organization in leadership capacities for decades.

A successful businessman, Mr. Jones bought the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team in 1916. A bright young man who was selling refreshments was soon promoted to work in the team’s front office. That young man was Bill DeWitt, who rose through the ranks of the Cardinals organization and stayed a top executive with the team for more than 20 years. His grandson, William O. DeWitt, III, is President of the St. Louis Cardinals today and has volunteered to serve as Honorary Chairman of the Society’s 100th Anniversary Celebrations.

Mr. DeWitt III said, “I am proud to support the St. Louis Society for the Blind & Visually Impaired as Honorary Chairman of its centennial celebrations. The Society is an integral and important asset for our community that helps thousands of children, adults and senior citizens overcome vision challenges and discover new ways of living, working, and enriching their lives.”

Today, 100 years later, the Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired continues to empower and enrich the lives of thousands of adults and children in our community. Through an array of comprehensive services, the Society works with individuals who are blind or have low vision to live productively, independently and safely. From clinical services provided by the Drews Low Vision Clinic, to Orientation & Mobility Training and Vision Rehabilitation Services, as well as computer and adaptive Technology training, the Society provides the most comprehensive services to the blind and visually impaired in the St. Louis Metropolitan area.

As part of its Centenial celebration, The Society is hosting special events for people of all ages and walks of life throughout 2011.

January 24 – March 13, 2011
In Touch With Knowledge: The Educational History of Blind People and
History of Braille Writers (PDF)
Crestwood Mall

This hands-on exhibit showcases the extraordinary history of reading, writing, geography, mathematics and science activities by and for visually impaired people. Organized by The Callahan Museum of The American Printing House for the Blind, Louisville, it is the most comprehensive of its kind and will be displayed at Crestwood Mall in St. Louis County. It opens with an invitation-only VIP reception to welcome the exhibit and launch our Centennial year, and will remain open to the public for free tours through mid-March.

April 9, 2011
Celebrate a Century: EnVISION the Future
Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark

This festive VIP cocktail reception and awards dinner showcases presentation of the internationally recognized Leslie Dana Gold Medal for outstanding achievements in prevention of blindness and, also, contributions by local individuals and organizations. It is attended by corporate and community leaders from across our region and nationwide, and by physicians, ophthalmologists, donors, employees and Society friends who will join us to celebrate at the magnificent Hilton at the Ballpark in downtown St. Louis.

September 17, 2011
Family Festival for Sighted and Blind/Visually Impaired Children and Their Families (PDF)

Family Festival for Sighted and Blind/Visually Impaired Children and Their Families (HTML)
Shaw Park, Clayton

This joyous festival for sighted and visually impaired people of all ages will be the first of its kind in greater St. Louis. Many of the games, including baseball and other athletic and play-time activities, will be adapted especially for children and youth who are blind or visually impaired. The day-long event will be hosted at Shaw Park in Clayton and will offer a full complement of family-friendly fun, music, food and entertainment guaranteed to be both inspiring and memorable for all who attend.
NOTE: Event will be cancelled for inclement weather - NO RAIN DATE.

October 15, 2011
Guess the Grape: A Blind Wine Tasting & Food Pairing (PDF)

“Guess the Grape:” is a very popular Society fundraising event. Following a champagne opening reception, the evening pairs great food with great wine and features flights of different wines tasted in a “blind” format for all present. A celebrated Sommelier “guides” guests through the wine tasting, followed by a scrumptious three-course meal, dancing and socializing.

Join us for our 100th anniversary.
More commemorative centennial activities will be announced.

Serving Children and Adults with Vision Loss
www.slsbvi.org
314.968.9000

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Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired
8770 Manchester Rd. St. Louis, MO 63144
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