Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind Announces First Annual Light the Way 5K Walk/Run Fundraiser September 10

Participants to Receive One Complimentary ticket to Nationals Game for that evening

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB) announced today its first annual Light the Way 5K Walk/Run fundraiser designed to support programs and services for people who are blind or visually impaired.  The event will take place at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. September 10, 2011, at 9:15 a.m. with opening remarks from Councilmembers Tommy Wells (Ward 6) and Mary Cheh (Ward 3), and a ribbon-cutting ceremony kicking off the walk/run at 9:30 a.m.  Proceeds from the event will benefit CLB programs including: Senior Services, Bridge to Work for Veterans, and Children's Programming.  These services enable people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired to find employment, improve their quality of life, and live self-sustaining lifestyles.

"For many years the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind has provided critical services for blind and visually-impaired residents of the District of Columbia. CLB continues to expand its programs to meet a rising demand," said Councilmember Mary M. Cheh.  "I am very proud to do my part to highlight this increasingly crucial work by participating in the Light the Way 5K."

Approximately 80,000 people in the Greater Washington, D.C., region have experienced vision loss.  This event will serve as an opportunity to bring awareness to the challenges faced by the blind community and CLB's life-changing programs and services available for this growing population.

"This occasion is made possible largely through the generosity of early sponsor the Washington Nationals," noted CLB President and CEO Anthony J. Cancelosi. 

"The Washington Nationals are proud to support such a worthy cause," said Nationals Vice Chairman & Principal Owner Mark D. Lerner.  "Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind is a special organization and I commend them for providing vital services to a community in need." 

CLB is providing all runners/walkers with a complimentary game ticket to see the Nationals take on the Houston Astros at 7:05 p.m. that evening.

All participants have an opportunity to be a part of the fundraiser by acting as a walker, runner, donor, sponsor, volunteer, or guide for a runner or walker who is blind or visually impaired.  Guide training will be provided by well-known blind athlete, Charlie Plaskon.

The event is designed to include all age groups.  Post-event activities include live music, refreshments, and activities for children, opportunities for vendor and sponsor booths and much more!

Register online at: http://clb.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.eventDetails&eventID=501

About Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind
CLB serves blind and visually impaired people of all ages in the Washington, D.C., area with vision-health screenings, adaptive devices, support groups, retraining, and job counseling and placement. Of the veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, 17% have visual impairment.  CLB partners with government and private agencies to retrain and employ these wounded warriors. For more information, please visit our website at www.clb.org.

 About Light the Way 5K
Light the Way 5K is an annual family-friendly, non-competitive 5K walk/run fundraiser hosted by Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind.  Proceeds from the event are used to benefit programs for people who are blind or visually impaired throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

SOURCE Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB)