touching our dreams - Miami Lighthouse for the Blind

TOUCHING
OUR DREAMS
On July 29th, parents of children participating
in the Miami Lighthouse STAR Summer Camp
were on hand to witness the unveiling of a very
special project entitled “Touching Our Dreams.”
Visiting artists Carlos Alves and Jane Carroll
and Miami Lighthouse instructor Nelba Gonzalez
combined individual ceramic pieces created by
our kids with mortar to make a beautiful mosaic
column, which has become a permanent
feature in the sensory garden of our
Sloan McCrea Pavilion.
The ceramic column featured on the cover of this annual report was created by
students participating in the Miami Lighthouse Summer Camp Program with the
help of visiting artists Carlos Alves, Jane Carroll, and staff artist Nelba Gonzalez.
The project was underwritten by Scott Miller and the Opa Locka Hialeah Flea Market.
Dear Friends of Miami Lighthouse,
As usual, we again have good news to share with you from Miami Lighthouse. Every day we transform
the lives of the people who come to us for low vision services, independent living skills, vocational
rehabilitation, summer camps, social group activities, music and more. Every client has a story to tell,
of individual challenges met, of broadened horizons, of skills regained.
Throughout this annual report, you will read descriptions of the ways Miami Lighthouse has identified
needs and risen to meet the challenges of a growing population with an increasing incidence of vision
problems. It is an unfortunate fact that the problems that bring people to us — blindness and visual
impairment due to diabetes and age-related macular degeneration, retinopathy of prematurity in blind
babies — are increasing rapidly. We want to help everyone who comes to us, and we need your
assistance to do that. Our donors know that an investment in the mission of Miami Lighthouse makes
the most of their philanthropic gifts. We have been recognized, for the third year in a row, by Charity
Navigator with a four - star rating for fiscal responsibility and efficient use of donor dollars.
In 2009 we served more clients than ever. Miami Lighthouse serves far more people today than we
were able to in the past. A few examples: our Blind Babies program has grown from approximately 60
blind babies and their mothers in 2003, to 205 in 2009. In 2005 we had 58 seniors in our Social
Group Activities program; in 2009 we had 250. We helped more than 2,500 low - income schoolchildren
with free eye care through the Heiken Children's Vision Program in 2007, the first year of the merger;
this program has grown in response to the tremendous need, and provided eye exams to almost 5,000
children last year. We can expect demand for our services to continue to grow as the incidence of vision
problems increases.
One of the highlights of 2009 for Miami Lighthouse was the great success of the Sash A. Spencer
Memorial Challenge incentive matching grant. Because of the challenge grant, which effectively doubled
all new donations of more than $100, we were able to raise $1 million before the scheduled end of the
matching grant; the match was generously extended until the end of the year, enabling us to raise
another half million. We are grateful to all of you who participated in the Sash Spencer Challenge.
We are able to make an impact in our community because of you.
Sincerely,
Virginia A. Jacko
Owen S. Freed, Esq.
President & CEO
Chairman, Board of Directors
1
Making an Impact by
Transforming People’s Lives
Independent Living and
Vocational Rehabilitation - Adults 297
Early Intervention
Mothers and Blind Babies
205
Social Group Activities - Adults
250
Summer Camps - Children
109
Low Vision Examinations - Adults
300
Solutions Store - Clients
1381
Heiken Vision Program
Schoolchildren
4272
2
TOTAL
6814
Miami Lighthouse continues its journey as a Center of Excellence in Low Vision and Vision Rehabilitation.
We have experienced a five-fold increase in program participants since 2007. Our instructors provide
the vital skills that enable blind and visually impaired people to regain their independence at all life tasks,
from pouring a glass of water to using a computer to checking e-mail to crossing a busy intersection.
It is difficult to describe the difference that these skills make in the life of an individual. Just imagine not
being able to do these things–and then finding a place that can teach you.
That is what Miami Lighthouse is all about.
With the incidence of vision problems on the rise, we are doing all we can to help the growing number
of people who need us. Our Low Vision Program offers comprehensive eye examinations and instruction
in the use of equipment that maximizes remaining vision. The equipment can be purchased in our
Solutions Store which is part of our Low Vision Center on the first floor of our building. Our Heiken
Children's Vision Program gets eyeglasses to needy children who have difficulty seeing the board in
class. With vocational outreach, we are helping people who need to recapture their job skills, as well
as educating potential employers about hiring blind and visually impaired employees and retaining
employees who have begun to have vision loss.
As always, all of our services are available in three languages, English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.
More Help for Children
The Miami Lighthouse Heiken Children's Vision
Program continues to expand, thanks to donors like
The Children’s Trust, Florida Optometric Association
Charities, The Batchelor Foundation, Dr. John T.
Macdonald Foundation, Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation,
and others. This academic year we helped nearly 5,000 financially
disadvantaged children who have no other access to vision care
and who would have continued to struggle in school and in many
cases have behavior issues. The American Optometric Association
(AOA) has noted a correlation between behavior problems in school and students' inability to see clearly.
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We receive thank you letters all the time from kids who are so grateful to be able to see in class. Often
teachers or parents say to us that "just a pair of glasses" dramatically changed the child's school
performance and behavior. We hope to continue to expand the Heiken Program, which is making such
a difference in the lives of local schoolchildren. We are grateful to Dr. Sidney Stern for significantly
underwriting the cost of prescription glasses for these children.
Blind Babies
More blind babies than ever are getting their first learning experiences at Miami Lighthouse, over 100
in 2009. Experts estimate that ordinarily more than 85 percent of learning is visual, so our blind babies
face special challenges in their development. Using a variety of learning aids and techniques specifically
designed for blind babies and toddlers, our
instructors ensure that our youngest clients get
off to a good start, learning about the world
around them through senses other than sight.
Their parents also learn methods for helping their
babies and benefit from each other's experiences
in support groups.
Dedicated to improving the lives of children and families
in Miami-Dade County
Summer Programs
Miami Lighthouse has one of the few remaining summer programs for blind children ages four to
fourteen. Our summer camps offer socializing and summertime fun like horseback riding, swimming
with the dolphins, ice skating and much more. Summer camp activities provide lasting memories and
help kids keep up with their daily living and Braille skills. The importance of Braille to college-level study
and future success cannot be overstated, and yet 90 percent of blind children today are Braille illiterate.
We need to solve this problem!
4
In Memoriam, Adalbert Friedhoff
In March 2009, we lost someone who made an important difference
in the lives of Miami Lighthouse children. Adalbert ("Bert") Friedhoff was
a donor and volunteer here for many years; he single-handedly created
the Miami Lighthouse Children's Endowment which helps support our
summer camps, raising $1 million by making phone calls to donors.
He was a devoted friend to Miami Lighthouse, and he is truly missed.
Making Music at Miami Lighthouse
Our groundbreaking music program continues to have a positive impact on the lives of dozens of
students, who are learning real-life skills and taking those skills into their further studies and music
industry careers. The Henry and Inez Stone Music and Sound Production Studio provides a unique setting
in which our talented instructors teach blind and visually impaired students the essentials of instrumental
and vocal performance, music theory and composition, and sound production. Our Miami Lighthouse
musicians have performed at many venues around Miami-Dade County in 2009. Congresswoman
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen was so enthusiastic about our impact on the community when she came to Miami
Lighthouse to see firsthand what we are doing to transform people’s lives that she arranged a
performance by our music students at a Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization ceremony.
Because of the highly competitive nature of the selection process, we were pleased to be chosen in
2009 for a prestigious John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Arts Challenge Grant for our music
inclusion program. This matching challenge grant will support our music program, which is giving many
of our students a foundation in music that enables them to find mainstream employment in the music
industry. A peer-reviewed, scholarly article on our cutting-edge music program will soon appear in the
Journal of Blindness and Visual Impairment.
In December 2009, participants in the music program
completed Holiday Joy and Love, the third CD
produced entirely in our Music Studio.
CEO Virginia Jacko and Dennis Scholl,
Vice President/Arts and Miami Program Director,
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
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Community Outreach
Thanks to a grant from the Peacock Foundation, in 2009 Miami Lighthouse staff were able to visit more
than 20 assisted living facilities and senior centers throughout Miami-Dade County with a presentation
titled "Living with Low Vision." Several senior groups also have visited Miami Lighthouse resulting in new
registrations for low vision rehabilitation.
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Nearly one thousand Miami Lighthouse recent "alumni" and prospective clients now receive audio
newsletters on CD featuring Dr. Rosemary Gonzalez, our Low Vision Optometrist. The audio newsletters,
funded by the James Deering Trust, include information on low vision and assistive devices, vocational
rehabilitation training and the latest news on Miami Lighthouse programs.
In the summer of 2009 our Mobile Eye Care Units visited five senior centers, in a combined effort with
the Miami-Dade Public Library Bookmobile; many more such visits are planned. Our staff performed
functional eye health assessments and taught seniors how to enhance their vision. This pilot project,
funded by the Health Foundation of South Florida, involving joint visits of the Bookmobile and our Mobile
Eye Care Units, has helped Miami Lighthouse assess the feasibility of launching mobile low vision services
for senior citizens. Expansion of services will be funded by the Peacock Foundation.
Accreditation Renewed
In 2009 Miami Lighthouse received its five-year accreditation renewal from The National Accreditation
Council for Agencies Serving People with Blindness or Visual Impairment (NAC). In our accreditation
review NAC commended Miami Lighthouse for seven initiatives, including "assuming a leadership role
in training and research aimed at reducing the shortage of professionals in the low vision rehabilitation
field." Accreditation by NAC demonstrates that Miami Lighthouse meets the highest standards of
service for our clients.
2009 intern Jessica Stepp, now a certified Orientation and Mobility
instructor at Miami Lighthouse, with a rehabilitation client.
Fruitful Collaborations
We have launched our Center of Excellence initiative for the training and education of professionals in
vision rehabilitation, a field that is suffering from a crucial workforce shortage. Our successful national
internship program, underwritten by the Anthony R. Abraham Foundation, offers practical experience to
students working toward certification as Orientation and Mobility (O&M) specialists, Vision Rehabilitation
specialists, Social Workers, and Occupational Therapists; we are now able to provide on-site housing for
our interns (see photo, above). In 2009 we worked with interns from programs at Florida State University,
Stephen F. Austin State University, University of Arkansas, University of Massachusetts and University of
Pittsburgh. Because of this, we have been able to attract the best new graduates to fill our vacancies.
Fewer than 2,000 rehabilitation specialists nationwide are certified in O&M, but we are helping to raise
those numbers, as these specialists are vital to the rehabilitation of blind and visually impaired people.
We also are working with Barry University and Florida International University to provide low vision
training for Occupational Therapy students.
Miami Lighthouse staff presented a paper about our internship program at the Association for Education
and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired 2009 conference. The paper, "Orientation and
Mobility Internships at Miami Lighthouse: Building a Bridge from the University to the Practice of the
Profession," further establishes Miami Lighthouse's national reputation as a leader in vision rehabilitation
by developing best practices.
The Miami Ophthalmological Society held its end-of-the-year
meeting at Miami Lighthouse so that their members
could learn more about vision rehabilitation.
Miami Lighthouse continues to collaborate with
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute on a variety of initiatives
to increase awareness of low vision issues. More than
120 people attended our Low Vision Seminars
at Bascom Palmer on macular degeneration,
glaucoma and vision rehabilitation.
Owen S. Freed, Esq., Chair, Miami Lighthouse Board of Directors; Virginia A. Jacko,
President and CEO, Miami Lighthouse; Eneida O. Roldan, President and CEO,
Jackson Health System; Eduardo Alfonso, Chairman, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.
Bascom Palmer doctors and interns enjoyed an informative reception held at
Miami Lighthouse, with tours and a live performance by our music students.
7
Serving More Clients
In the past, all of our services at Miami Lighthouse followed the social services model, which in our case
is designed to provide state-subsidized care to the legally blind. In fact, only ten percent of people with
low vision are "legally blind." The addition of a medical model for services, a model that identifies medical
opportunities for billing, was one of the goals identified in the Strategic Plan for our Center of Excellence.
We depend on our donors to help the many people who need our services, and we are making every
effort to use those dollars as wisely as possible by obtaining other funding when it is available. In 2009
a business plan was completed for a Low Vision Center using the medical model for billing, including
health providers whose services are billed for third-party reimbursement, such as Occupational Therapists.
8
The services we provide at Miami Lighthouse are not available elsewhere. A medical model will enable
some of our clients to use their insurance for certain services, allowing us to make even better use of
donor funds and to reach more of the people who need our help.
Legislative Efforts
State Representative Richard Steinberg, State Representative Julio Robaina,
CEO Virginia Jacko, Board Director State Representative Yolly Roberson,
Miami Lighthouse summer camp student, State Representative Luis Garcia
and State Representative Ronald Brisé at Miami Lighthouse.
CEO Virginia Jacko made several trips to Tallahassee
in 2009 to make sure that funding for the Heiken
Children's Vision Program and the Division of Blind
Services remain a priority for the Miami-Dade
Delegation. Several members of the Miami-Dade
Delegation also toured Miami Lighthouse over the
summer, and saw firsthand the difference we make
in the lives of people of all ages.
New Database Completed
In 2009 Miami Lighthouse completed implementation of the Online Database Management System
(ODM). All program staff (except our Heiken Program, which requires a separate database) are
currently using the ODM and are responsible for logging all services. The ODM helps us to track data
and generate accurate reports for the Florida Division of Blind Services and other funders, and will greatly
enhance our ability to measure progress and outcomes to facilitate grant administration and applications.
2009 Financial Statement
Miami Lighthouse has a large and growing impact in the Low Vision and Blind community. By any
common measure, Miami Lighthouse has performed extraordinarily despite the impact of a severe
global economic downturn.
Miami Lighthouse has been able to maintain service levels and even enhance new program services
while dealing with a challenging economic environment. We have sought smart ways to deliver services
and achieve efficiencies. Our Financials present the results achieved. The challenging environment has
renewed our responsibility to donors and funders to maximize their return on investment in
philanthropic endeavors. Miami Lighthouse’s performance ensures donors and funders a return on
their investment both in program outcomes and maximizing the amount of each dollar devoted to
programs. For the third consecutive year, Miami Lighthouse has received four stars, the highest rating,
from Charity Navigator the independent evaluator. This rating reflects our continued stewardship and
places Miami Lighthouse among the elite 13% of not-for-profit organizations nationwide to achieve
such a distinction.
9
2009 Financial Highlights
2009 Expenses
2009 Sources of Income
Investment Income
$1,540,604
Other
$173,304
Bequests
and Legacies
$145,647
Private Gifts
and Grants
$2,080,737
25%
3%
2%
34%
Early Intervention
and Children’s Programs
$622,847
Alternative
Rehabilitation
Services
$566,826
General and
Administrative
$487,745
14%
12%
11%
11%
36%
Vision
Rehabilitation
$486,169
Government Grants
and Contracts
$2,237,139
TOTAL: $6,177,431
19%
Heiken Children’s
Vision Program
and Low Vision
$857,288
6%
27%
Fundraising
$277,744
TOTAL: $4,551,189
Vocational
Training Unit
$1,252,570
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc.
Statement of Financial Position
For The Years Ending December 31, 2008 and 2009
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts and interest receivable
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Contributions receivable, net
Beneficial interest in irrevocable trusts
Investment securities
Property and equipment, net
TOTAL ASSETS
2009
$
2,582,980
198,482
68,534
419,736
416,804
10,023,472
2,162,670
$ 15,872,678
2008
$
2,876,680
276,454
67,076
1,196,895
445,326
6,997,666
2,286,579
$ 14,146,676
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $
TOTAL LIABILITIES
370,742
370,742
13,167,509
1,108,377
1,126,290
10,868,771
1,780,873
1,126,290
15,402,176
13,775,934
$ 15,872,678
$ 14,146,676
TOTAL NET ASSETS
10
$
470,502
Net Assets:
Unrestricted
Temporarily restricted
Permanently restricted
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
470,502
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc.
Statement of Activities
For The Years Ending December 31, 2008 and 2009
REVENUES, GAINS AND SUPPORT
2009
2008
Bequests and legacies
$
145,647
Contributions, net
2,080,737
Government grants and contracts
2,237,139
Investment income and gains
1,540,604
Change in beneficial interest in irrevocable trusts 49,827
Gain on sale of land
–
Other
123,477
$
274,962
2,669,402
2,189,845
(1,771,162)
83,018
–
127,784
TOTAL REVENUE, GAINS AND SUPPORT $
6,177,431
$
3,573,849
Vision Rehabilitation
$
Alternative Rehabilitation Services
Vocational Training
Early Intervention and Children’s Programs
Heiken Children’s Vision and Low Vision
General and Administrative
Fundraising
486,169
566,826
1,252,570
622,847
857,288
487,745
277,744
$
767,270
1,347,294
1,302,319
557,905
469,877
348,195
493,501
TOTAL EXPENSES
4,551,189
5,286,361
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS
1,626,242
(1,712,512)
13,775,934
15,488,446
15,402,176
13,775,934
EXPENSES
NET ASSETS – BEGINNING OF YEAR
NET ASSETS – END OF YEAR
$
2009 Honor Roll of Donors
Miami Lighthouse (Federal Tax ID #59-0637847) is a 501 (c)(3) organization with an approximate $5 million annual operating
budget. Less than half our budget comes from the State of Florida Division of Blind Services, The Children’s Trust and other
government funded programs. We rely on the generosity of our donors, many of whom are listed below, to help with the remainder
of our funding needs. In 2009, almost 3,000 contributors made donations or pledges to help fund our vision rehabilitation and
vision enhancement programs.
Listed below are cumulative gifts received between January 1 and December 31, 2009. Donations below $499 are listed in our
newsletter but are not shown below.
$500,000 - ABOVE
Mary M. Spencer in memory of Sash A. Spencer
$250,000 - $499,999
The Children's Trust
$100,000 - $249,999
The Batchelor Foundation
$75,000 - $99,999
Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation
Florida Optometric Association Charities, Inc.
Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation, Inc.
Estate of Pauline Mindes
Ms. Jean Ellen du Pont Shehan
$50,000 - $74,999
Anthony R. Abraham Foundation
John F. Albaugh Irrevocable Trust
Allegany Franciscan Ministries Foundation, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel M. Bell
The James Deering Trust
William H. and Leonora K. Hegamyer Family Foundation, Inc.
Mr. R. Kirkwood Landon and Ms. Pamela J. Garrison
Miami-Dade - Alliance for Human Services
Ms. Christine Stiefel
$25,000 - $49,999
Mr. and Mrs. Angel Alvarez (ABB Concise)
Estate of Jewel C. Britton
The Shepard Broad Foundation, Inc.
Estate of Irene Diamond
Mrs. Eugenia Beckwith McCrea
Miami-Dade County OCED
Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Nielson, Sr.
Peacock Foundation, Inc.
Shutts & Bowen LLP
Stamps Family Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Dr. and Mrs. Sidney J. Stern
The Reverend Marta Sutton Weeks
$10,000 - $24,999
The Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Charitable Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Agustin R. Arellano, Sr.
Sam Berman Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Bessemer Trust Company of Florida
Donna Blaustein, Esq. and Arnold Blaustein, M.D.
Estate of Alfred J. Bollinger, Jr.
Norman and Irma Braman Foundation, Inc.
Mrs. Marlene Brody
Mr. Ramón F. Casas (Wragg & Casas Public Relations)
Dade Community Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. DiMare
Florida Department of Transportation
Helliwell Family Foundation
Mr. Edward J. Joyce (Northern Trust)
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Nostro
Ms. Shelley Daniel Rutherford
Estate of Richard Scharff
Mrs. Terri R. Shikany and Mr. Walter Shikany
The Standard Chartered Private Bank
$5,000 - $9,999
Mr. and Mrs. Agustin Arellano, Jr.
Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation
Ms. Mary Jane Bastian
Mr. and Mrs. Karl Bishopric
Dr. Barry N. Burak
Mrs. Betty B. Chapman
Dr. and Mrs. Harold A. Cohen
Mr. Richard P. Cole
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. DaGrosa, Jr.
Delta Gamma Sorority
Estate of George S. Flemister
William F. and Betty Frantz Memorial Fund
Mr. James A. Gillis
Health Foundation of South Florida
$5,000 - $9,999 - continued
Ms. Virginia A. Jacko and Robert B. Jacko, Ph.D.
Ms. Susan P. Kelley and William R. Roy, Ph.D.
The Ethel & W. George Kennedy Family Foundation
Harry Kramer Memorial Fund
Mr. and Mrs. Jay W. Lotspeich
Mr. David B. McCrea (McCrea Foundation, Inc.)
Mr. Arthur Herman Hertz (Miami Seaquarium)
Calvin and Flavia de Camp Oak Foundation
Ms. Barbara Stiefel
Samuel E. and Mary W. Thatcher Foundation, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Tonkinson
Joseph Weintraub Family Foundation, Inc.
Sara H. Woodruff Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. John Zamora
$2,500 - $4,999
American Fruit
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey P. Amster
The Henry W. Bull Foundation
Mr. Joe D. Castillo
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Cohen
Coral Gables Community Foundation
Gary D. Fox, Esq. and Robin C. Fox
The Goldsmith Family Foundation, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Humberto J. Gonzalez, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Peter R. Harrison
Mr. and Mrs. Simon Hassine
Mr. and Mrs. John B. Henderson
The Honorable Sally A. Heyman
Ida Hutzler Charitable Trust
Mr. and Mrs. Juliano H. Ibarra
Mr. and Mrs. Ethan W. Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. William R. Jordan III
Mrs. Nedra Kalish
Korean Presbyterian Church of Miami
Dr. Joanne Kundl and Mr. Reece Johnson
I. Stanley and Elaine Levine
Mr. Jose Martinez and Mrs. Carolina R. Santander-Martinez
Estate of Helen Merrifield
Mr. Scott Miller (Opa Locka Hialeah Flea Market)
Morrison Brown Argiz & Farra, LLP
The Honorable Dennis C. Moss and Mrs. Margaret Moss
900 Novecento
PetSmart
Dr. and Mrs. Norberto E. Priu
Public Health Trust
William J. and Tina Rosenberg Foundation
Mr. Jose M. Sanchez
Michael A. Silva, Esq.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley G. Tate
Jack Taylor Family Foundation
Dr. Henry L. Trattler
Mr. David M. Turner III (Turner & Associates, LLP)
Union De Ciegos Hispanos en Estados Unidos
Mr. and Mrs. Robert N. Wolpe
$1,000 - $2,499
Mr. Juan Aguerrebere, Jr.
The Honorable Mayor Carlos Alvarez
Amerigroup Corporation
Mr. Georgios Andreadis
Aran Eye Associates
Mr. and Mrs. William E. Beckham
Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Blumenthal
Mr. Harney S. "Beau" Bogan and Mr. Elliot M. Friedman
Brown & Brown Insurance, HBA Division
Bufka Family Foundation
Mr. Henry Burnett
Maria Teresa Canning, Ph.D.
Mr. and Mrs. Pedro A. Castillo
Catholic Community Fnd. in the Archdiocese of Miami, Inc.
The Marquis and Marquesa Rafael de Montoro
Dolphin Mall
Don Allen Foundation, Inc.
Ms. Anneliese H. Duncan
Mr. Charles S. Dunn
11
12
$1,000 - $2,499 - continued
Anonymous Donors
Floral Lakes Community Association, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Owen S. Freed
Dr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Hanly
Ms. Patricia Hassine Elias
Dr. and Mrs. Murray Heiken
Hercules Engineering Systems
Ms. Elsa Hunt
Estate of Ana L. Hunter
Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Joyce
Kelly Foundation, Inc.
Ms. J. Megan Kelly
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
La Estrella de Oro Joyeria, Inc.
Charles N. and Eleanor Knight Leigh Foundation
Dr. and Mrs. Alan P. Levitt
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Levy
Mrs. Inge Liedholz
Lions Club of Miami Foundation, Inc.
The Rosalind Ludwig Children's Foundation, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Heinz Luedeking
Mr. David A. Lugo
The Honorable Gwen Margolis
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Mark
Gloria Martin
Mr. and Mrs. Donald W. Marx
Mrs. Judi A. Matus
Ms. Norma M. Matz
J.N. McArthur Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. John S. McConnell
Mr. W. Allen Morris
National Eye Institute
Mr. and Mrs. Preston L. Prevatt
Kerry Lynn Rapport, Esq.
Mr. Tony Rodriguez
Mr. and Mrs. H. Jack Ross
Ms. Carol P. Russo and Mr. Henry Mangels
Mr. Donald J. Sackrider
Mr. Matthew S. Sarelson
Mr. and Mrs. R. Cory Schnepper
Ms. Delora Shapiro and Mr. Victor Raab
Mrs. Gertrude W. Siegel
The Honorable Rebeca Sosa
St. John Knits, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. A. Hammond Staton II
Stearns, Weaver, Miller, Weissler, Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A.
Ms. Dorothy A. Swift
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Weintraub
Mr. and Mrs. George D. Williams
Bruce J. Winick, Esq.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold L. Young, Jr.
If you are interested in visiting Miami Lighthouse
for a tour of its facility, making a pledge or donation, making
a gift through your will, or to discuss planned giving options,
please contact Virginia Jacko, President and CEO,
at 305.856.4176.
2009 Woman of the Year Donna Blaustein,
CEO Virginia Jacko, and Board Director
Pamela J. Garrison
2009 Music Under the Stars
Board Director Joanne Kundl, O.D., presents the Heiken Children’s
Vision Program Co-Founder Recognition Award to Sidney Stern, O.D.
$500 - $999
Ms. Norma Jean Abraham
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Aibel
Ms. Carmen Araujo
All Access AVL (Audio Visual Lighting)
Ms. Gloriajean J. Azar
Baja Fresh
Banfield The Pet Hospital
Mr. and Mrs. Kent M. Benedict
Mr. William Bikoff
Mr. and Mrs. Spiro D. Bobotas
Mr. and Mrs. Alvaro M. Cabrera (Burger King 12778)
Center for Excellence in Eye Care
Mr. and Mrs. Louis J. Chiavacci
Ms. Susan Conroy
Miss Lamar Louise Curry
Mr. and Mrs. Edward A. Davis
Ms. Leila Deciucies
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dixon
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Dove III
Mr. and Mrs. Doney Eden
Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Felsher
Mr. and Mrs. Steven R. Goldberg
Mr. and Mrs. Humberto J. Gonzalez, Jr.
Go-Play Enterprises
Mr. Mark O. Halverson and Ms. Marilyn P. Himmel
Mr. and Mrs. John H. B. Harriman
Ms. Cathy Hassine
Ms. Diane B. Hernandez
Paul & Beatriz Hicks Foundation, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Howard M. Katzen
The Honorable Murray Z. Klein and Mrs. Yoko Klein
Jay M. Levy, Esq.
Mrs. Esther M. Lew
Mr. Michael Marquez
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis M. McCarthy III
Mercury Express Courier
Miami Beach Natural Sports Medicine, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Millares
Ms. Pat Morgan
Mr. Raul Munilla (MCM-Munilla Family Foundation, Inc.)
Ms. Marcia Pawley and Miss Anita Pawley
Mr. Darrell W. Payne
Brian Pearl (TTL Charitable Trust)
Mr. James G. Pepper
Dr. and Mrs. Mario M. Perez
Ms. Maria E. Perez
Regal Foundation
Dr. Ben P. Robinson
Ms. Margaret A. Rolando
Mr. Alvaro Salazar and Dr. Marie Evelyn Estefan
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Segal
Mr. and Mrs. Scott K. Sime
Dr. and Mrs. Alfred G. Smith
Mr. Gert S. Stein
The Swezy Family Foundation
Mr. Christopher R. "Kitt" Toomey
Dr. and Mrs. William Trattler
Mr. Leonard Turkel
Vin Brule
Virgil P. Warren Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Whittum
2009 Women of Vision Luncheon
Mary Spencer and Gloria Martin
All of Virginia Jacko’s royalties from her book, The Blind Visionary, co-authored with
Doug Eadie, will be donated to Miami Lighthouse. To order your copy of the book,
go to www.TheBlindVisionary.com or call 800.209.7652.
Prism of Partners Society
The Prism of Partners Society was established in 2005 to honor donors who have pledged a minimum of $5,000 to support
the programs of the Miami Lighthouse. The below list acknowledges pledges made from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2009.
GIFT OF EXCELLENCE $300,000 - ABOVE
The Batchelor Foundation
The Children's Trust
Gloria Martin
Estate of Pauline Mindes
Mary M. Spencer in memory of Sash A. Spencer
GIFT OF LIGHT $150,000 - $299,999
The James Deering Trust
Florida Optometric Association Charities, Inc.
Health Foundation of South Florida
Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation, Inc.
Ms. Jean Ellen du Pont Shehan
GIFT OF VISION $75,000 - $149,999
Anthony R. Abraham Foundation
Allegany Franciscan Ministries Foundation, Inc.
Association for Retarded Citizens, South Florida, Inc.
Estate of Marion Bear
Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. DiMare
Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation
Estate of Viola Harden
Miami-Dade - Alliance for Human Services
Peacock Foundation, Inc.
Samuel E. and Mary W. Thatcher Foundation, Inc.
GIFT OF INDEPENDENCE $30,000 - $74,999
All Children Together (ACT)
Mr. Angel Alvarez (ABB Concise)
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel M. Bell
Dade Community Foundation
Ms. Virginia A. Jacko and Robert B. Jacko, Ph.D.
Mrs. Eugenia Beckwith McCrea
Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Nielson, Sr.
Public Health Trust
Ms. Shelley Daniel Rutherford
Stamps Family Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Ms. Christine Stiefel
GIFT OF CONFIDENCE $15,000 - $29,999
Mr. and Mrs. Agustin R. Arellano, Sr.
Donna Blaustein, Esq. and Arnold Blaustein, M.D.
Norman and Irma Braman Foundation, Inc.
The Shepard Broad Foundation, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. DaGrosa, Jr.
Helliwell Family Foundation
Ms. Susan P. Kelley and William R. Roy, Ph.D.
The Ethel & W. George Kennedy Family Foundation
Mr. David B. McCrea (McCrea Foundation, Inc.)
Estate of Carleton Mitchell
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Nostro
GIFT OF CONFIDENCE $15,000 - $29,999 - continued
Mrs. Terri R. Shikany and Mr. Walter Shikany
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Tonkinson
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Weintraub [Joseph Weintraub Family Foundation, Inc.]
GIFT OF HOPE $5,000 - $14,999
The Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Charitable Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey P. Amster
Mr. and Mrs. Agustin Arellano, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. William E. Beckham
Estate of Bernie Bercuson
Mr. and Mrs. Karl Bishopric
Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Blumenthal
Build-A-Bear Workshop Hugs Foundation
Mr. Henry Burnett
Mr. and Mrs. Alvaro M. Cabrera
Dr. and Mrs. Harold A. Cohen
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Cohen
Mr. Richard P. Cole
The Marquis and Marquesa Rafael de Montoro
Mrs. Annette Eisenberg (The Downtown Bay Forum)
Mr. and Mrs. Owen S. Freed
Mr. James A. Gillis
The Goldsmith Family Foundation, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Humberto J. Gonzalez, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Peter R. Harrison
Mr. and Mrs. Simon Hassine
Mr. and Mrs. John B. Henderson
Mr. and Mrs. Ethan W. Johnson
Junior League of Miami, Inc.
Mrs. Nedra Kalish
Mr. Steve J. Kolski, Jr.
Harry Kramer Memorial Fund
I. Stanley and Elaine Levine
Dr. and Mrs. Alan P. Levitt
Mr. and Mrs. Donald W. Marx
Ms. Judi A. Matus
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis M. McCarthy III
Mr. and Mrs. Adam Mopsick
National Eye Institute
Ms. Marie Yolette Rhau
Mr. and Mrs. H. Jack Ross
Ms. Carol P. Russo and Mr. Henry Mangels
Mr. Jose M. Sanchez
Michael A. Silva, Esq.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott K. Sime
Ms. Dorothy A. Swift
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley G. Tate
Mr. George Ward
Mr. and Mrs. John Zamora
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Zohn
Helen Keller Legacy Society
The Helen Keller Legacy Society recognizes individuals who have named Miami Lighthouse as their beneficiary in their Living Bequest.
Ms. Lillian J. Baker
Mr. Ernst Beickert
Ms. Minna Benson
Mr. and Mrs. Karl Bishopric
Mr. Salvatore A. Blando
Mr. Lawrence M. Burnett
Dr. M. Louise Cason
Ms. Gina Chatham
Dr. and Mrs. Harold A. Cohen
Miss Lamar Louise Curry
Ms. Mitzi Davidson
Ms. Betty Deiters
Ms. Lila N. Dickerson
Mr. John Downey
Ms. Anita Drittel
Mrs. Annette Eisenberg
Mr. Eugene Eisling
Mr. and Mrs. Guillermo A. Espana, Sr.
Mrs. Mildred M. Frank
Mrs. Lillian Fredericks
Mrs. Hildegarde Friedhoff
Ms. Aime Glass
Mrs. Marilyn Goldstein
Leonard I. Jacobson, Ph.D.
Ms. Susan P. Kelley and William R. Roy, Ph.D.
Ms. Stephanie Klein
Ms. Niza Longo
Ms. Adeline W. Mann
Gloria Martin
Mrs. Eugenia Beckwith McCrea
Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Metcalf
Mr. Dana L. Millar
Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Nielson, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Nostro
Ms. Barbara Ouzts
Ms. Mary Pechewlys
Ms. Frances Penny
Mr. Ernest Estevez Puras
Ms. Margarita Rankine
Ms. Anna K. Rentz
Mrs. Ronnie Roberts
Mrs. Alejandra Rodner
Ms. Juanita Rogers
Mr. and Mrs. H. Jack Ross
Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Roth
Mr. and Mrs. Herman Sacks
Mr. and Mrs. William L. Sahm
Mr. Julio Sansbrian
Mr. Fritz Scharenberg
Mrs. Marjorie J. Schell
Mr. Steve Schulman
Ms. Janet Cory Smith
Ms. Edna Smith
Mary M. Spencer in memory of Sash A. Spencer
Mr. Gert S. Stein
Ms. Dorothy A. Swift
Mr. Harry Taub
Mrs. Josephine Taubenhaus
Mr. Carlos M. Tey, Jr.
Mr. John West Thatcher
Ms. Georgina Uzal
Ms. Anne Walaheim
Mr. Walter Wilson
Mr. S. D. Winn
Mr. Wayne Withers
Mrs. Florence Zbar
We are also grateful for the many individuals who designated Miami Lighthouse to receive donations in memory of their loved ones.
13
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind
and Visually Impaired, Inc.
601 SW 8th Avenue
Miami, Florida 33130
305.856.2288
MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Owen S. Freed, Esq.
Chairman
Michael A. Silva, Esq., C.P.A.
Chairman-elect
Having trouble reading or
completing daily tasks due to low vision?
Visit the Miami Lighthouse Solutions Store.
Call 305.856.9100 or go online to:
John H. B. Harriman
Treasurer
William R. Roy, Ph.D.
Secretary/Immediate Past Chair
http://www.miamilighthousestore.com/store/default.asp
Agustin R. Arellano, Jr.
Kent M. Benedict
Donna R. Blaustein, Esq.
Ramón F. Casas
Sander R. Dubovy, M.D.
Pamela J. Garrison
Peter R. Harrison
Edward J. Joyce
Joanne Kundl, O.D.
Alan P. Levitt, O.D.
Gloria Martin
Charles J. Nielson
Louis Nostro, Esq.
State Representative
Yolly Roberson
Carol P. Russo
Scott K. Sime
David M. Turner III, C.P.A.
Bruce J. Winick, Esq.
John Zamora, C.P.A.
Teresa S. Zohn
HONORARY BOARD
Agustin R. Arellano, Sr.
Karl Bishopric
Alvaro M. Cabrera
Joseph E. DaGrosa, Jr.
Joseph A. Fernandez, C.F.P.
Gary D. Fox, Esq.
John B. Henderson, Esq.
Lorenzo Jackson, Jr., Esq.
Susan P. Kelley
J. Megan Kelly
Donald W. Marx, CLU, ChFC
David B. McCrea, Esq.
William L. Morrison
D. Alan Nichols
Audrey H. Ross, Ph.D.
H. Jack Ross
Shelley D. Rutherford
Donald J. Sackrider
Harold L. Young, Jr.
LEGAL COUNSEL
René González-Llorens, Esq.
Anthony T. Golden, Esq.
LEGAL COUNSEL EMERITUS
Preston L. Prevatt, Esq.
Virginia A. Jacko
President and Chief Executive Officer
www.miamilighthouse.org