Sharing Christmas Joy!

Taylor stands at the altar of Grace Church, where shoeboxes full of goodies have been collected and blessed for Operation Christmas Child.

Last July, Dixie Land Guide Dog Users was honored to help sponsor the Camp Lakewood Vacation Bible School for Blind Youth, a production of Music By Laurel Jean. Youth attending had the opportunity to earn money toward a Walmart shopping trip to purchase items for their very own shoebox contributions to Samaritan’s Purse.

Saturday, November 14 marked a special Camp Lakewood reunion, held at Grace United Methodist Church. On this day, the Camp Lakewood Class of two youths was greeted by Miss Susan, another sighted angel volunteer, who led us in a time of sharing and fellowship as we decorated and stuffed a total of six shoeboxes!

On Sunday, November 22, Taylor represented Camp Lakewood at Grace UMC in the 11:00 AM service. During the Blessing of Shoeboxes, he was recognized and asked to come forward, placing one of his shoebox contributions on the altar with the others from Camp Lakewood and from the congregation (84 boxes in all).

Our thanks to all who have helped make Camp Lakewood Possible, as we continue to teach our blind youth the importance of giving back to our community and remembering those less fortunate around the world.

Celebrating White Cane Day

Our president, Nancy More, joins one of Charleston’s blind youth in taking a hands-on look at our country’s flag. October 15, 2009 marked the first time that many area blind and visually impaired folks had ever really “seen” the American Flag, one of many exhibits featured at a special celebration of White Cane Day, 2009 in Charleston, SC.

October 15th is recognized internationally as White Cane Safety Awareness Day. This day is set aside to recognize the white cane and to teach sighted people about the purpose and use of the white cane by the blind.

Dixie Land Guide Dog Users proudly assisted in hosting this White Cane Day celebration, with Laurel Jean serving as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. Blind folks of all ages met at the Visitor’s Center on Meeting Street Downtown. After a walk to Francis Marion Square, the program continued with a narrated presentation of The Colors. Elementary and secondary students were awarded for their participation in a story contest featuring the long, white cane. Congratulations to First Place Winner, Brianna Murray, who received a full scholarship to our Top Dog, 2010 as part of her prize package!

Following the Awards Ceremony, God’s “outa sight” kids of all ages offered a variety of musical selections.

After the program, folks were treated to snacks and several different exhibits, including the flag shown above, with raised stars and stripes which could be touched! This exhibit was inspired by Taylor, who took his first “hands-on” look at our country’s flag when last summer’s Camp Lakewood Vacation Bible School for blind youth toured Grace United Methodist Church.

The Color Guard honored the ministry of Music By Laurel Jean, producer of Camp Lakewood, presenting her with this White Cane Day Flag at the conclusion of the day’s festivities.

Our thanks to the Charleston Chapter of the American Council of the Blind for allowing Dixie Land Guide Dog Users to help sponsor White Cane Day, 2009. On this day, we celebrated God’s gifts: not only our independence as blind individuals, but also the freedom that we know as citizens of The United States of America.