Senior Center Hosts Inland Empire Lighthouse for the Blind

REDLANDS>> The community is invited to learn about the Inland Empire Lighthouse for the Blind at the Redlands Community Senior Center’s Dessert and Dialogue program from noon to 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 27. Sandy Wood, the executive director at the Inland Empire Lighthouse for the Blind, has been on staff at the school since 1979. Wood will present an overview of free services provided for the legally and totally blind residents of the Inland Empire and answer questions about Lighthouse for the Blind. The Inland Empire Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a place where adults and children who are visually impaired can receive training to overcome the disabling effects of blindness or visual impairment. She will be promoting their upcoming 15th Annual Cruise for Sight Car Show and Sanctioned Regional Chili Cook-off at Sylvan Park in Redlands on Saturday, May 13 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wood said the school does not receive any federal or state funding and the event will be a great opportunity to raise money for the school. The car show and cook-off is free to the public and will feature vendor booths, a live DJ, craft stations, raffle prizes and food. For $5, guests can purchase a chili tasting kit and vote for the best chili. Wood said Farmer Boys will also be in attendance to sell food and is giving all the proceeds to the school to help with the costs. “It is family fun, cool cars, music, vendors, craft tables,” Wood said. “There will be a lot going on and it really helps our school for the blind and is really great recreation for the community to.” To learn more about the school or the upcoming car show and chili cook-off, Wood will be available to answer any questions at the Dessert and Dialogue event. Dessert and Dialogue is a free program open to the public that takes place after the senior nutritional lunch program at the Redlands Senior Center. Hot meals are served Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The hot meals are open to all adults. A donation of $3 is suggested for those 60 or older, and guests under 60 can enjoy lunch for a $6 fee.