BEYOND BLINDNESS RAISES OVER $230,000 AT 8TH ANNUAL VISION BEYOND SIGHT GALA: BUILDING BRIGHT BEGINNINGS

SANTA ANA, Calif., (April 4, 2025) – Beyond Blindness, Orange County’s leading nonprofit serving children with visual impairments and other disabilities, and their families, today announced that its 8th Annual Vision Beyond Sight Gala raised over $235,000 to support its life-changing programs and services. Held on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at the Mile Square Golf Course in Fountain Valley, the event welcomed more than 200 guests for an unforgettable evening of inspiration, philanthropy, and community.

This year’s theme, “Building Bright Beginnings,” reflected Beyond Blindness’ unwavering commitment to equipping children of all abilities with the tools to thrive—starting in early childhood and continuing through young adulthood — and beyond.

The evening’s program featured a breathtaking live performance by international opera singer and author Laurie Rubin, who was born blind and has performed with acclaimed ensembles worldwide. Rubin also participated in a moderated conversation with Dr. Ashish Mehta, OC Kaiser Permanente’s Pediatric Ophthalmologist and Beyond Blindness board member, offering guests a deeply personal and moving glimpse into her journey.

Guests were further inspired by a special video presentation featuring the Duncan family, who shared how Beyond Blindness has made a transformational impact on their son John’s development. Angie Rowe, President and CEO of Beyond Blindness, took to the stage to reflect on the organization’s transformational journey. After pledging in 2020 to double the organization’s impact and serve 500 children annually by 2025, Beyond Blindness now reaches more than 1,500 individuals — children, family members, and caregivers — each year through a comprehensive model of care known as the Journey of Care®.

“Five years ago, we set a bold goal to double our impact—and today, we’re proud to say we’ve done just that,” said Rowe. “But there is still more to do. Tonight’s support ensures that children and families can continue to access our innovative, comprehensive wraparound services—no matter their income, background, or diagnosis.”

Other event highlights included:

  • The presentation of the 2025 Dr. Wilhelm de Nijs Vision Award to the Pacific Life Foundation, recognizing their two decades of transformative impactful support for Beyond Blindness.
  • A heartwarming duet by Laurie Rubin and college student/musician Lily Gabora, a Beyond Blindness alum, who also performed her original song, “Proud to Say.”
  • A powerful “Dessert in the Dark” experience led by actor and Beyond Blindness alum Karl Seitz (NBC’s “This is Us”), giving guests a small glimpse into navigating the world without sight.
  • A spirited live auction featuring custom experiences and luxury items, followed by a successful Fund-a-Need segment to raise direct support for Beyond Blindness’ essential programs.

The event was co-chaired by Kristin McKay (Beyond Blindness parent and board member) and Cary Wheeland (community member), and generously supported by top sponsors including STAAR Surgical, PNC Bank, The Dean Family, Enterprise Bank & Trust, the Glaukos Charitable Foundation, Ashish Mehta, MD, Barbara Alvarado, Bob & Angie Rowe, Carol Trapani, Cary Wheeland, Eide Bailly LLP, Gunjan Nanda, JLL, Kaiser Permanente, LaunchLab Partners, Max Trichet & Hemant Mistry, Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, and the Thompson Family Foundation. Event supporters also included Modern Woodmen of America and the Magnon Foundation.

For more information on Beyond Blindness or to get involved, please visit

www.beyondblindness.org.

 

About Beyond Blindness:

Beyond Blindness’ mission is to empower children with visual impairments and other disabilities to achieve their fullest potential. We are the only non-profit provider from birth to 22 years of age in greater Orange County with vision as a specialty and the ability to treat vision issues along with other developmental delays that accompany them. Areas of service include Early Intervention, Education and Enrichment, and Family Support, which aim to help children, no matter their abilities, live full and rewarding lives. The Beyond Blindness team embraces a people-first approach and values family, connection, impact, inclusion, stewardship, and optimism. We have been in the community since 1962. For more information, please visit www.beyondblindness.org.