Keith Barringer of Rudi’s Portsmouth has been a longtime supporter of Future In Sight, and a generous host to 8 annual Dinner in the Dark events. This week’s event was a great success, with about 60 guests experiencing a small taste of what it feels like to dine without seeing what you’re doing. Thanks to the generosity of dozens of sponsors, raffle and silent auction donors, the evening was a festive and fruitful event, raising more than $7,000.
David Hagen, who has been the catalyst behind these amazing dinners, experiences vision loss himself and serves on the Board of Directors of Future In Sight, welcomed and thanked guests and sponsors alike. David Morgan, President and CEO of Future In Sight let guests know that the organization has made an impact on over 4,500 lives in NH this year. Yet, there are so many more children, youth, adults and seniors with profound sight loss to reach – an estimated 32,000 plus! Guests were spellbound by Lisa Reynolds, the evening’s guest speaker, who talked about her lifelong journey through vision loss and the ways that Future In Sight staff connected with her as she learned more about safely and confidently navigating her world.
(Pictured above: David Morgan and Lisa Reynolds standing together in Rudi’s dining room)
Just before salad was served, Future In Sight’s Community Relations Coordinator, Stephanie Hurd, offered the audience helpful dining tips such as the usefulness of a roll to push food to the middle of the plate. Another great tip shared was how to slide your hand gently from the table’s edge to grasp your wine or water glass in order to avoid accidentally helping your neighbor wear it.
Dinner guests included some of our good friends from organizations such as Saltwater Collective, Goodwill NNE, Cambridge Trust and Knights of Columbus Council Bishop Matthew F. Brady Council 5093 from Hampton, NH. We have abundant gratitude for all the people and businesses who support Future In Sight and make these events possible. Below is a list of all those that helped make this event a great time for everyone!
(Pictured above: Men and women finishing dinner at large rectangular table, some still wearing blindfolds)
If you’ve never been to a Dinner in the Dark event (you should try it), it’s good to know that the guests remain blindfolded throughout the evening while enjoying a delicious multi course meal and socializing. Guests rely on taste, touch and sound while dining and experience a small glimpse what it’s like to navigate dinner – or any meal – as our family, friends and neighbors who are blind do every day. The next Dinner in the Dark event is coming up in October in Meredith NH, visit our website for more information or to buy tickets online.
If you would like to host a Dinner in the Dark or participate as a sponsor, please contact Sasha Clark at 603-565-2424 or send an email to [email protected].