The Vision Resource Center enhances the lives of adults and children living in the Cape Fear Region who are visually impaired by: advocating for their needs, identifying and sharing information about community resources, providing education, skill development and socialization opportunities.
VRC on Wheels was blessed again by our local food bank! We were able to provide 18 VRC members and their families with healthy and nutritious packages. We also want to thank the United Way of Cumberland County. Funding from their COVID-19 Relief Program covered fuel costs for our vehicles.
Help us congratulate Thomas Bass, a longtime member and VRC intern on his recent graduation from Fayetteville State University. We are so proud of him and all of his accomplishments. COVID-19 made things more challenging, but he finished strong! Wishing you all the best with your future endeavors!
We are getting things spruced up around here! Take a look at the before and after pics of our multipurpose room and picnic tables! It's amazing what a little paint and stain can do! What a great way to welcome our youth campers next week and future play date toddlers. All of this was possible by an epic team of staff, board members and volunteers. Thanking Junior League of Fayetteville for believing in our dream and funding our paint supplies!
Final preparations have been made for our youth summer camp! We are looking forward to seeing our eager campers next week and offering them a totally awesome modified camp experience! Special thanks to Cumberland Community Foundation for providing the resources to get stuff done!
Our youth summer camp got off to a great start on July 27th! Here are pictures from our day at Cape Fear Botanical Gardens. Later Amy helped us plant a garden at the center. We can care for it, watch it grow, and use some of our harvest to make our own salsa or add to pizza.
Day 2 of summer camp was totally awesome! Greg Whitt with Drum for Change helped us jam with our very own drum circle. Later that afternoon we headed to Godwin's Archery. Then we ended our day with some tasty ice cream at Hwy 55!
Day 3 Fun at Fun FUn Fun!😎
During day 4 of summer camp, we unleashed our artistic side! 🎨 You never know, we may have the next Picasso on our hands!
You know the old saying, "All good things must come to an end!" Our campers, staff and volunteers joined together to celebrate another amazing summer. The final day of summer camp was filled with laughter, arts and crafts, games, and a cookout!😎Campers were able to dance and sing along to their customized playlist of music provided by our very own DJ Q! Thanks to all of our amazing staff and volunteers for making this a wonderful week. We would also like to thank our funders Cumberland Community Foundation (Summertime Kids) and Cape Fear Kiwanis for their generosity. Our campers had an awesome time, and we can't wait to welcome them back next year!
Our summer camp volunteers rock!
Sending a big thanks to Mose Harris (MH4 Professional Development) for helping us kickoff our youth development program today. We look forward to providing youth opportunities to build confidence, take on leadership roles and skills to help them succeed after high school.
We are scratching the surface and encouraging our youth to share their gifts and talents!!
Dr. Belinda Wilkerson owns Steps to the Future and is an awesome school counselor. The topic for today's youth development session was "Powerful You." Our youth were taught techniques for dealing with stress and social pressures to improve their classroom performance and overall well being. Dr. B. You rock!!
VRC on Wheels was on the move again! Thanks to our local food bank we delivered 20 packages full of an assortment of perishable and non-perishable items. Cape Fear Botanical Gardens added a little happiness to the packages by donating fresh produce from their garden. Our staff and volunteers felt the love and gratitude from members as they dropped off each package.
In celebration of Blindness Awareness Month in October 2020, Vision Resource Center will host a month-long series of events to engage the community in the VRC Mission.
The goals are to 1) raise awareness of VRC and the mission. 2) raise $30K over the course of the month.
Events:
October 1 -10 Blind "Dine-In" Challenge
Sign up to dine blind-folded as you eat with your family. Send photos or video of your experience to the VRC where we will showcase at "Our Love is Blind" Gala on October 30th. We ask that you challenge a family on video to donate your dine in budget or pledge $50.00 to the VRC to help continue our mission in the community.
October 11-17 Virtual 5K (Participants receive t-shirts etc.)
Individuals will do a 5K "your way" (walk, run, bike, swim etc). You can do your 5K as an individual or lead a fundraising team. We are asking everyone to walk 10 steps with assistance and safely with your blindfolds to understand our mission.
On Thursday, October 15th we will be celebrating "White Cane Awareness Day" the white can is a symbol of independence for people with visual impairment. Join the Board, Staff, and some of the VRC family members as we walk our brand new walking trail for our 5K. This event will be live and streamed.
October 18-30 Out of Sight Auction
Our virtual silent auction will take place during this time. There will be items such as sports memorabilia, unique experiences, items from our local shops and "Mystery Blind Boxes" you will be bidding on items "blindly" all blind boxes will have a minimum value of $50.00 and will be amazing #trustus
October 30 Virtual Gala
"Our Love is Blind" Virtual Gala .....We will be hosting live from the VRC an event that will truly be a fun filled night. We have a mixologist mixing and shaking our signature drink for the evening that you can try at home; local djs in a little friendly competition against our very own DJ "Q"; Guy Unger Band and many more acts that will ignite your Friday night while raising awareness and money for the VRC 's mission.
Sponsorship Levels:
Focus Sponsor -$250
Your company name or logo will be listed on our 5K "your way" t-shirt
Acknowledgment at Virtual Gala
Vision Sponsor- $500
Your company name or logo will be listed on our 5K "your way" t-shirt
Your company name or logo will be recognized on all social media, VRC website and all printed materials
Special Acknowledgement at Virtual Gala
20/20 Premiere Sponsor- $1000.00
Your company name or logo prominently recognized on our 5K "your way" t-shirt
Your company name or logo will be recognized on all social media, radio interviews, VRC website and all printed materials
30 second spot at our Virtual Gala which will highlight your choice of your business or spotlight of one of our VRC members
VOLUNTEERS
The VRC could use your help! We always need volunteers, so if you are looking for a way to give back to your community, try the VRC. We invite you to join us and find out just how fulfilling and FUN it is to be a part of this great organization! More about volunteering can be found here: Volunteers Needed
SAVE THE DATE!!!! Due to COVID-19, the Vision Resource Center 4th Annual Chicken Wing Cook-Off at Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom has been postponed until
Saturday, June 12th, 2021.
A Note From Our Executive Director, Terri Thomas
The VRC is on the move with VRC on wheels, Out of Sight Camp Explosion, and the Youth Development Program. WE want to thank Cumberland Community Foundation, Summertime Kids Grant and our Endowment for Visually Impaired Summer Camp; Youth Growth Stock Trust Fund, United Way of Cumberland County, Cape Fear Kiwanis, a local trust here in Fayetteville and some generous donors to help us to proceed with our programming efforts.
With the pandemic, we have had to go hands-free dispensers in our restrooms, add sanitizing stations, ramp up all cleaning supplies, and run all buses (limiting numbers to social distance). All of these additions and subtractions are costly, and we thank each of you for giving. Your gift matters and makes a difference. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, we are thinking out of the box this year and hosting "Our Love Is Blind" the VRC virtual fundraiser, a celebration of Blindness Awareness Month in October. There is going to be something for everyone. Blind Dine-In, 5K your way, Silent Auction, and Our Love is Blind Gala. Stay tuned for all the details. There will be a little something for everyone. Get ready. It's going down, the ENTIRE month of October.
Everyone continue to be safe and remember to help and serve others whenever you can. #makeadifference#bethechange#affectsomeone Much love and many blessings,
Until next time
Terri and the VRC family
Executive Director
Vision Resource Center
…..Serving the Blind and Visually Impaired
#80years1939-2019
Watch for more updates! Follow our Facebook page and check out our website at www.visionresourcecentercc.org for more information.
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