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.
Our members enjoyed a therapeutic drum circle facilitated by Gregg Whitt with Drum for Change. This was a great way to interact while social distancing. The day was filled with nothing but positive energy and good laughter! #vrconthemove#loveisblind#drumcircle
In celebration with Blindness Awareness month, the VRC is hosting our "Love is Blind" Virtual Fundraiser the month of October with great fundraising activities to help the VRC continue its mission of serving the blind in our community.
Our Kick-Off event... The Blind "Dine-in" Challenge (a virtual spin-off of our annual Out of Sight Dining)
The VRC wants you to sign up by donating your family's takeout budget and eating blindfolded at home with your family to support our mission.
Send your photos or video of your experience to the VRC (vrcfayetteville@gmail.com), where we will showcase at "Our Love is Blind" Gala on October 30th.
Challenge a family on your video to donate by giving money budgeted to dine-in or pledge $50 to the VRC to continue supporting the blind in our community
We may live stream for those who accept the challenge on Friday, October 2nd!!!
An excellent way to also get your word out in the community and celebrate giving!!!!
Email us at vrcfayetteville@gmail.com
Sign up for the event at
Or our website www.visionresourcecentercc.org
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With all the obstacles caused by COVID-19, we still are finding ways to have youth development activities. We were happy to deliver kid friendly salsa kits to our youth at home. What a fun way to develop important life skills such as counting, measuring and kitchen safety.
Please mark your calendars and support us in one or ALL our events to continue serving the blind in our community. Questions please call the VRC 910-483-2719. GREAT way to get your word out to the community while supporting a great cause!!
YOU can make the DIFFERENCE!
Test your other senses and have dinner with your family blindfolded while raising money for the VRC....CHALLENGE another family to join in the VRC Blind Dine-In .... send us your photo and video, Let's have some fun and support the blind and visually impaired in Cumberland and surrounding counties.
Your experience will showcase at our "Love is Blind" Gala on October 30th.
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. A. Lead your own 5K Team and Fundraiser for VRC click here B. Help the VRC and do a 5K your way ..... Send us your Photo and Video click here 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
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Join us on October 15th "White Cane Day" in celebration of Blindness Awareness Month. 5K your Way, a part of "Our Love is Blind" virtual fundraiser check out www.visionresourcecentercc.org for more details.
OCTOBER is coming, help us continue to grow our response to the VRC needs!!
VRC on Wheels is still committed to delivering food to our members. Local food banks afforded us the opportunity to deliver food to 21 members. Gayle, a long-time member sweetened the pot and donated handmade face masks! VRC on Wheels does home visits and delivers supplies to blind and low vision people who are homebound. Thanks to Cumberland Community Foundation for supporting our mission during these difficult times with a $20,000 CCF 40th Anniversary Grant.
Help us to reach our goal of $30,000 to continue our mission of working with the blind and visually impaired. Sign up for one or all of our October events or DONATE www.visionresourcecentercc.org
Do a 5K "YOUR" way. Join as an individual or start a TEAM. We are asking everyone to walk 10 steps with assistance and safely with blindfolds to understand our mission. All participants receive t-shirts, wristbands and blindfolds. Click the Blindness Awareness Pop Up Box or Click on Events Learn More on www.visionresourcecentercc.org to get started.
Celebrate "White Cane Awareness Day" with us. The white cane is a symbol of independence for people with visual impairment. Come out and walk, run or job on our new walking trail. This event will be streamed on social media. Social distancing practices will be in effect! Event: Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 10 AM – 3 PM (Vision Resource Center) tickets at: www.visionresourcecentercc.org
Thanks to Cape Fear Botanical Gardens for donating fresh and nutritional veggies from their community garden. We love seeing how delighted our members are when we deliver their goodies.
Assistive Technology Day at the Center was a huge success. Our very own member Sandy North and Myra McCloud with the local Lion's Club facilitated. They did an excellent job providing information and demonstrating various types of technology to enhance everyday life for the visually impaired. Well done ladies!
This COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up life as we know it. Not to worry though...some of our members who are Gen X and younger Baby Boomers wanted to start a new meet up group. Introducing V.I.B.E (Visually Impaired But Excellent)! Their first virtual get together allowed them to meet, laugh and joke around while still practicing social distancing. Some members had the option to call in as well.
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
A Note From Our Executive Director, Terri Thomas
COVID has done many things to people all over the world: mentally, physically, or financially and the VRC recognizes all that have been affected, essential workers, scientists, and doctors that are working overtime to get us back on track.
There has also been some good in COVID the VRC has started a few new programs through this "different' time. VRC on wheels (food and supplies delivery), VRC Bible Study, VRC Connections (programming via conference call; yoga, community news, and just connecting), and VIBE (Visually Impaired But Excellent) for ages 30-49. Although COVID is here, the services are still needed, and our mission must continue. We must thank the Cumberland Community Foundation 40 Anniversary of Giving for supporting us in our efforts and United Way of Cumberland County for COVID funding. Such a blessing.
To continue to meet the needs of the blind in our community, we had to come up with a plan, givings are down, and programming costs are rising to accommodate for the pandemic (masks, thermometers, disinfectant, touchless bathroom appliances, etc.) The VRC Staff, Board, Volunteers, and Committee will host. "Our Love Is Blind" Virtual Fundraiser the entire month of October in conjunction with Blindness Awareness Month #MeetTheBlind.
There is a little something for everybody!!! The flyer had A LOT of information on it, but I will attempt to break it down in as few words as possible, and if it is still unclear, please call the office, and we can help you out so you can help us to continue the mission.
Blind "Dine-In" Challenge---You will dine blindfolded at home with friends or family, take pics and video (no longer than 60 sec) send to the VRC, but we want you to challenge someone else to give it a try. Eating with the blindfold will provide you with an idea of what participants with vision loss deal with daily - Cost? Recommended $50, but you can give the value of the take out meal provided or whatever your heart desires. The blind "dine-in" is an awareness challenge.
Virtual 5K your Way Do the 5K at your leisure, and before doing it, walk ten steps with blindfolds on to again feel in those ten steps what are participants can't do, take the blindfold off. Also, forward your pics and video to the VRC, or you can join us on October 15th at the VRC on our new walking trail to get your 5K in.
Out of Sight Auction, You will have two weeks to bid on some AMAZING items. You may ask what a blind box is, it will be a box with a theme, but you won't know what's in it :). The packages will be of at least $50 in value. We will provide a link to the masses to bid.
The Virtual Gala will be all virtual with some fantastic music, stories, and hosts, Goldy from WFNC and Glenn Adams, County Commissioner.
We thank all of our sponsors and donors for being there for us, especially during an uncertain time.. a special shout out goes to our 20/20 Premier Sponsors Better Vision, Cape Fear Eye Associates, Service Source, and LC Industries.
We appreciate everyone's partnership in our mission.
Please join us for one or all events.
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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