Regaining Independence Every Day!

Daily Living Skills Classes

Lighthouse of Collier, Inc., Center for Blindness and Vision Loss offers classes to help blind and visually impaired be independent in Collier County

Have you been recently diagnosed with macular degeneration, cataracts, tunnel vision or another eye condition? Who helps you learn how to socialize, navigate, communicate and feel safe in a sighted world?

Lighthouse of Collier offers classes at their donated Center located at 424 Bayfront Place, Naples. Please call 430-3934 to sign up-seating is limited. Bringing a lunch is recommended.

The classes will teach:
1. Skills for safe, independent navigation at home, work or in the community.
2. Skills to live independently and safely at home: Tactile medication labeling, cooking, money identification, grooming and other daily living tasks.
3. Use of assistive technology from large print displays and Braille, to accessing Email & Internet with talking PCs.

 Coping with Vision Loss

Imagine going blind or having any vision loss. Who helps you cope and to feel confident that you can live a healthy and productive life?

Lighthouse of Collier offers classes in coping with vision loss.  The classes are offered by appointment. Please call 430-3934 to sign up.  

Lighthouse of Collier is the only Center for Blindness and Vision Loss in Collier County. The mission of the Lighthouse of Collier is to promote the development, implementation and on-going evaluation of programs and services which foster independence and enhance the quality of life for the blind, visually impaired and their caregivers. To learn more about Lighthouse of Collier please visit www.lighthouseofcollier.org  or call 239-430-EYE4 (3934).

 

Upcoming Events:

January-February 2012
Lighthouse of Collier selected as one of the 3 charities for
Charity for Change
www.charityforchange.org

January 29,2012
Children's event- Chloe's Tie Die

February 4, 2012
Lighthouse of Collier participates at the Family Fun Day at
The Von Liebig Art Center
10 am to 2 pm

February 23, 2012
Lighthouse of Collier hosts the Young Professionals of Naples

March 5, 2012
Volunteer meeting for "Walk A Mile in Our Shoes"
4:00 pm
424 Bayfront Place
430-3934

March 10, 2012
Lighthouse of Collier's Awareness Walk
"Walk a Mile in Our Shoes"
with Bayfront block party to follow
8 am to 11 am
Free event-Volunteers needed
Sponsorships available

April 21 & 28, 2012
Children's events
The Von Liebig Art Center

May 12, 2012
Children's event
The Von Liebig Art Center

May 3, 2012
Happy 3rd Birthday
Lighthouse of Collier
 5 pm to 7 pm
Open house-Volunteers needed
Sponsorships available

Monthly Children's Events-please call for more information
430-3934

 

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Past Events:

Chloe, owner, of Chloe’s Tye Dye on 12th Avenue hosted a groovy tye dye t-shirt making party for Lighthouse of Collier’s blind and visually impaired youth of Collier County on Sunday, January 29, 2012. Guests were given the opportunity to create their own design of shirt.  The shirts were rubber banded to create the designs and one could feel between the bands as to where to place each different color dye.  Some of the favorites designs were sunbursts, hearts and fish scales.  Thanks Chloe for a far out fun Sunday!

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December 3,2011 Gingerbread House making party at Lighthouse of Collier-Susan and Sarah decorate with gum drops.
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November 12, 2011, Regina's on 5th Avenue hosted an ice cream social for the young adults.  What a sweet morning. 

Thank you Regina!!!

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On October 19, 2011 Lighthouse of Collier's adults join in for some fun, laughter and lunch at Rib City. Pictured above is Lynn, Barbara, Della, Lisa and John

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October 15, 2011 Olde Naples Chocolate hosted Lighthouse of Collier program. Pictured above is Michele, Dylan, Sarah, Nathan, Sue, Sam, Susan Greg and Laurie Rose

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Lighthouse of Collier hosted their monthly children’s event at Woodside Lanes on Saturday, September 24^th.  The children demonstrated their bowling skills with the assistance of “bumpers” and a “bowling ball slide” to direct the ball down the alley.    All the kids enjoyed the event – especially Xavian and Nathan who rolled “spares” in the final game!

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Lunch At Silver Spoon Sept. 21, 2011

Robin,Lynn,Barbara,Lisa and Joe

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On Saturday August 13^th children of Lighthouse of Collier visited Napoli on the Bay in downtown Naples.  The children were given individual rounds of dough to feel the texture of the dough. Then behind the scenes, owner Tony and employee Dan spread the dough on a cooking sheet for each child.  Everyone was given pie dough and the children were ready to add their own toppings- from the sauce to the pepperoni.  When the pizzas were ready, the children enjoyed their creations with friends and families.  One of the little pizza chefs stated, “You don’t have to see to make a good pizza-you can just tell how yummy it will taste by the smell.” Thank you to owner Tony for taking the time to allow children with low to no vision realize they too can make a pizza!

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July 6, 2011-Lighthouse of Collier’s 1^st week of camp was a swinging success. The campers were introduced to tennis!  Yes, tennis for the blind/visually impaired.  The audible foam tennis balls make it possible for the blind to play tennis. The Arthur L. Allen Tennis Center hosted the kids to a day of tennis instruction and fun. This first time experience for all was a ball!

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On Saturday, June 24, 2011, Shy Wolf Sanctuary introduced Lighthouse of Collier children to their preserve of exotic animals.  Shy Wolf Sanctuary is a nonprofit organization that began with Kent and Nancy Smith’s mission to care for animals while in captivity and educate the community in protecting and preserving them in the wild. Lighthouse of Collier children, like 8 year old Xavian, held a gopher tortoise for the first time and also got acquainted with wolf dogs and prairie dogs.

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On May 7^th, 2011 Lighthouse of Collier kids participated in the sixth annual Miracles Special Needs Kids Baseball Camp sponsored by Durand & Gallentine Investment  Management Group.  Kids from Collier and Lee counties with physical and mental challenges were taught baseball skills of hitting, throwing, catching, and fielding, plus the opportunity to experience the feeling of being on a professional baseball field.

 One of the campers, Sarah Hardwig from Naples, got the chance to sing the national anthem.  It was truly a special event for her to sing and others to hear her amazing voice.  (Sarah Hardwig singing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixW2pHAn7no) 

Many thanks to those who helped make this event a success; Al Larson Photography, Joy Donahue – Hammond Stadium Event Coordinator, Dave Clark and the entire Miracles Baseball Team.

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On Saturday, April 16, 2011 Lighthouse of Collier hosted a tour of the Kowiachobee Animal Preserve for blind and visually impaired children of Collier of County.  Kowiachobee houses over 75 animals including Jaguars, Leopards, Panthers, Snakes, Exotic Birds, Domestic Animals and much, much more.                                                            

John Slaby, Director/Owner of Kowiachobee gave an educational and personal tour of his facility that allowed the kids to hold, feed and pet the animals.  Mr. Slaby encouraged the kids to visit the animal preservation anytime.  All the kids agreed they would return with their friends or on School Field Trips to support Kowiachobee, which is solely funded by generous donations.         

Each month, Lighthouse of Collier schedules an event for the blind and visually impaired children of Collier County.  If you are a parent of a blind or visually impaired child please contact Lighthouse of Collier for event information.

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April 9, 2011
Lighthouse of Collier participated in VisionWalk 2011
Sponsored by Foundation for Fighting Blindness
Lakes Regional Park, Ft. Myers
200+ walkers and Lighthouse of Collier volunteers helped promote awareness.

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CHARITY HELPING CHARITY

NAPLES EQUESTRIAN CHALLENGE HOSTED LIGHTHOUSE OF COLLIER KIDS TO HORSE BACK RIDING

On Saturday, March 26^th, 2011 Lighthouse of Collier hosted horseback riding lessons at the Naples Equestrian Challenge (NEC).  NEC provides therapeutic horseback riding to area children and adults with special needs.  Lea Haven, Property Manager and Instructor at NEC, gave the kids fundamental instruction on grooming and preparing the horses for riding.  Other NEC volunteers led the horses and “side walked” next to the riders to assist and ensure their safety.

Lea Haven commented on one of the teens, Brandon Mobley, “I really noticed how much he improved with self confidence and mobility from his previous visit last summer.”         

Each month, Lighthouse of Collier schedules an event for the blind and visually impaired children of Collier County.  If you are a parent of a blind or visually impaired child please contact Lighthouse of Collier for event information.

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On Saturday, February 26^th, 2011 Driftwood Garden Center hosted the Lighthouse of Collier’s kids to a “Sensory Garden” making party. Theresa Norton, Driftwood Garden Specialist, assisted the kids in making individual herb gardens.  The kids were able to feel, taste and smell their garden creations. Andrea Schroeder, Lighthouse of Collier’s Co-Chair for events stated, “One of the little gardeners really liked the taste of the peppermint!”

Each month the Lighthouse of Collier schedules an event for the blind and visually impaired children of Collier County.  If you are a parent of a blind or visually impaired child please contact Lighthouse of Collier for event information.

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Lighthouse of Collier splashed in the Naples Bay at the 34^th Annual Great Dock Canoe Race on May 9, 2010.Lighthouse of Collier was the proud beneficiary of this year’s race. Pictured above is the $5,000 beneficiary check. The 1st Annual Summer Camp was held in July for blind and visually impaired kids! Future programs for the kids are planned-stay tuned.From left to right: Bill Mercer, Treasurer, Art  Bookbinder, Vice-President and Sue Bookbinder.

Please continue to visit the web site for updates.