2023 Cocktails in the Dark

Tuesday, September 12th, 2023 . 5:30-8:00pm 500 Seneca - Atrium . Buffalo, New York

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Fundraising Activities BOOZE BARREL Purchase your chance to bring home an exquisite selection of fine liquors. One lucky winner will seize it all. Visit the Booze Barrel Table for more information.

50-50 RAFFLE Feeling lucky? With every 50-50 ticket, you’re entering to win a generous cash prize and contribute to a noble cause. Visit the 50-50 Raffle Table for more information.

T-SHIRT SALES Celebrate our First Annual Cocktails in the Dark and secure your memorabilia. Comfortable cotton blend T-shirts, perfect for relaxing while raising awareness. Visit the T-shirts Table for more information.

RAISE THE PADDLE Join us in making a difference by donating to VIA’s Raise the Paddle. This year’s goal is $7,000! By contributing, you’re helping us provide vital rehabilitation services. Donate through your ClickBid app or go to the Check In Table for a brightly colored donation sheet & pen.

A message from Tammy Owen, President & CEO On behalf of the staff and Board of Directors of VIA: Visually Impaired Advancement, we welcome you to our first Annual Cocktails in the Dark. It is a great pleasure to share this evening with you.

For over 100 years, VIA: Visually Impaired Advancement has been a helping hand for individuals experiencing vision loss. We provide tools, education, rehabilitation, job training, job placement, and support for both children and adults of all ages.

You cannot underestimate the diagnosis of visual impairment or blindness has on a person and their loved ones. From education and equipment to services and support, VIA is a partner that provides hope, empowerment, and solutions for the visually impaired community.

Your attendance, participation, and generosity enable us to continue our work, reach more people, educate a wider public, and transform even more lives. As the past few years have shown us, when we work together, there isn’t anything we can’t accomplish and overcome.

On behalf of the individuals we serve, thank you for your support.

Enjoy your evening!

Tammy

Signature

COCKTAILS & MOCKTAILS HURRICANE TERENCE

Dark Rum Pat O’ Briens Hurricane Mix Splash of Grand Marnier

DOUBLE - VISION MOCKTAIL

Orange Juice Cranberry Juice Apple Cider 7-Up Garnished with Fresh Orange Slices

VIA-TINI

Vodka Triple Sec Cranberry juice Orange Juice Lime Juice

Keynote Speaker, Terence James Terence, a seasoned hospitality professional with over 25 years of experience, radiates a warm welcome to all he encounters.

In his early twenties, Terence faced the potential of vision loss due to his RP diagnosis. Despite wearing glasses since childhood, he believed yearly check-ups would suffice.

Back in 2005, as a hotel manager, Terence played a pivotal role in hosting Visually Impaired Advancement (VIA)’s workforce training program. Drawing participants from across the globe, this experience knit them together like a tight knit “family.” Terence was instrumental in providing accessible accommodations and valuable internships.

In 2016, he took the courageous step of leaving his job and giving up driving, despite the emotional toll it took due to his vision loss.

He sought professional advice and confirmed his legal blindness.

Empowered by VIA’s support, Terence acquired essential skills and adaptive technology, embracing newfound independence.

Today, Terence stands as a beacon of hope and support at VIA’s Low Vision Clinic, extending a helping hand to visually impaired clients. Terence uses his personal experience to help ease clients who are experiencing vision loss and give them hope that we have the resources and support to help individuals through life’s journey.

While navigating his visual impairment, Terence empowers clients to chase their aspirations and dreams. Through his uplifting words, Terence instills a renewed sense of hope for his clients.

Interactive Stations ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY Host: Ray Zylisnki

Have you ever thought about how people who are blind or visually impaired utilize devices? Let one of VIA’s staff members demonstrate how cell phones and computers provide accessible features. They will showcase the usage of Seeing AI and JAWS (“Job Access With Speech”) applications, which enable tasks like browsing the internet and fulfilling daily to-dos.

WATER POUR

Host: Nadine Sinatra

Test your liquid pouring abilities while blindfolded. Learn about water-level indicators and how those with visual impairments can make their morning coffee or host a dinner event. Listen for the beep, and don’t make a mess!

BEER TASTING

Host: Jordan Bursie

Put your senses to the test! Experience tasting various beers under a blindfold and try to guess the flavors! Let Jordan Bursie, creator of the YouTube Channel, Taste Unseen, guide you through the experience while sharing his insight as an individual who is visually impaired.

MAXTV

Host: Teddy Lauzau

Never miss Sunday Football! MaxTv glasses are non-prescription magnification lenses that can assist those with low vision enjoy simple pleasures, like an NFL Bills game or reading the morning paper. Let VIA’s Low Vision Clinic Manager demonstrate the accessible capabilities and see what maximizing your vision is like.

Agenda 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM Wine, Beer & Cocktails Raffles, Booze Barrel Tickets Interactive Blindfolded Stations

6:45 PM - 6:50 PM Welcome Tammy Owen, President & CEO

6:55 PM - 7:00 PM Special Remarks Steve Cardarella | M&T Bank Dr. Ephraim Atwal | Atwal Eye Care Recognition | Merchants Insurance

7:00 PM - 7:10 PM Keynote Speech Terence James

7:10 PM - 7:25 PM Raise the Paddle

7:25 PM - 7:30 PM Auction Winners Announce

7:30 PM - 8:00PM Wine, Beer & Cocktails Interactive Blindfolded Stations Please note: Bar will be closed during Keynote Speech and Raise the Paddle

SPONSORS Visionary

SPONSORS Brilliance

Radiance

Acknowledgements VISUALLY IMPAIRED ADVANCEMENT (VIA) BOARD MEMBERS Martha Lamparelli, John Kremer, Mai Agro, Lisa M. Kirisits, CPA, MBA, Steven Cardarella , Stephen Cross, Jason Daniels, Esq, MBA, John Eberl, Ryan Fisher, Melissa Keith, Paul Lee, MD, Dennis Mccoy, Lou Nuchereno, Tessa Scott, Esq, Dominic Secchiaroli, Sandra Sieminski, MD, Daryl Springer, Ken Sullivan, Lamont Williams

A Special Thank You TO THE DINING IN THE DARK PLANNING COMMITTEE

Stephen Cardarella, Kelsey Cimiano, Stephen Cross, Jason Daniels, Melissa Keith, John Kremer, Martha Lamparelli, Susan Lichtblau, Dennis McCoy, Mai Agro

THANK YOU TO BARB ELLIOT LEE LULEK - LULEK PHOTOGRAPHY WEGMANS TRANSIT LIQUOR AND WINE PREMIER WINE & SPIRITS

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#SeeThe716 RSVP for our next event at: www.AtwalEye.com

(716) 896-8831

Official Eye Care Provider of the Buffalo Bills

Karlsen & Associates, Inc. IT Consulting, Integration, Monitoring, Management, Cabling Providing IT services to businesses of all sizes.

We take pride in maintaining long term customer relationships.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE 2023 VISUALLY IMPAIRED ADVANCEMENT (VIA)

COCKTAILS IN THE DARK!

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Karlsen & Associates, Inc. IT Consulting, Integration, Monitoring, Management, Cabling Providing IT services to businesses of all sizes.

We take pride in maintaining long term customer relationships.

• 24/7 Remote Monitoring and Management of PCs, Servers, Networks • Infrastructure Design, Installation, Maintenance and Security • Data Backup, Recovery, Redundancy and Cloud Solutions • Cloud and Cybersecurity • Troubleshooting, repair, maintenance, upgrades, updates • Internet, LAN, WAN, Wireless, Routers, Firewalls, VPN and Remote Access • Project Planning and Management • Implementation, Integration and Optimization • Voice, Data, and Fiber Cabling • Single Point of Contact Phone: (716) 806-3651 Fax: (866) 273-1921

Web: karlseninc.com Email: sales@karlseninc.com

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Paul C. Paul C. Holmwood, Holmwood, M.D. M.D.

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John T. John T. Hammersmith, Hammersmith, O.D. O.D.

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NOTHING ELSE COMES CLOSE

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ABOUT MAKING A DIFFERENCE. Independent Health is proud to support VIA for their passion for making a difference. Their commitment to excellence and dedication to help improve the lives of others brings the essence of the RedShirt® Treatment to life.

independenthealth.com ©2023 Independent Health Association, Inc. IH33371

Brown Security Solutions is proud to support the VIA and the Brown Security Solutions is proud 2023 Cocktails in the Dark event. to support VIA and the 2023 Cocktails in the Dark event.

Brown Security Solutions 229 Lake Street #4

BrownHamburg, Security Solutions NY 14075 716-648-6012 229 Lake Street #4 brownsecuritysolutions.com Hamburg, NY 14075 716-648-6012 brownsecuritysolutions.com Customer service the way it used to be!

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HELD’S JANITORIAL SERVICES, INC.

(716) 854-1408 heldsjanitorial.com

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John F. Kremer, Jr.

Vice President | emPloyee BeneFits Usi insUrance serVices 716.314.2029 | john.kremer@usi.com GuildCare_Ad_BuffaloNF copy.pdf

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Rehabilitation Programs and Services 5:55 PM

Blindfolds: On Cocktails: Raised Memories: Made Lippes Mathias is proud to support this evening’s sensory experience presented by VIA: Visually Impaired Advancement, where true community is more than just what the eyes can see.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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lippes.com © 2023 Lippes Mathias LLP

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Celebrating 105 Years! Est. 1918

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Find a local agent to see if Merchants has the coverage you need!

Visit MerchantsGroup.com/Agent-Search/

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PROUD TO SUPPORT

VIA COCKTAILS IN THE DARK

lawleyinsurance.com PARTNERING FOR A VIBRANT FUTURE.

POWERED

BY PARTNERSHIP. Learn more about our community engagement efforts.

Walking With VIA As They Empower The Visually Impaired

716.834.5000 uniland.com See how Uniland leads the way in Universal Design for people of all abilities at: Uniland.com

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Getting involved is important.

At M&T Bank, we know how important it is to support those organifiations that make life better in our communities. That’s why we offer our time and resources, and encourage others to do the same. Learn more at mtb.com/community.

M&T Bank is proud to support VIA: Visually Impaired Advancement.

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Equal⁻ousing⁻ender⁻©⁻T⁻Bank⁻ember⁻DC⁻ ″upport⁻provided⁻by⁻The⁻T⁻Charitable⁻oundation⁻and⁻its⁻corporate⁻sponsor⁻T⁻Bank

Proud sponsor of Cocktails in the Dark

INGRAM MICRO HELPS COMPANIES FULLY REALIZE THE PROMISE OF TECHNOLOGY™.

Serving Western NY Since 1945.

Learn more at ingrammicro.com

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The Amigone Family IS HONORED TO SUPPORT

Frey-Electric.com

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COCKTAILS IN THE DARK

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CENTRAL OFFICE

2600 SHERIDAN DRIVE TONAWANDA, NEW YORK 14150 716-836-6500 13 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

WWW.AMIGONE.COM

Strength, Protection, Performance

At Vanguard Safety, we believe that business is not just about closing a sale. It’s about building long-term partnerships. We are proud supporters of the VIA: Visually Impaired Advancement!

We manufacture high quality Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), specializing in:

Disposable Gloves • Nitrile • Polyethylene • Latex • Hybrid EVA • Vinyl • Specialty Gloves

Reusable Gloves • Chem Resistant • General Purpose • Cut Resistant • String Knits • PVC Dot Knits • Liners

Protective Apparel • Lab Coats • Coveralls • Aprons • Sleeves • Bouffants/Hairnets • Beard Covers

Masks • Disposable Face Masks • N95 Respirators • Disposable Mask with Shield

Shoe Protection • Polypropylene • CPE • SMS Coated • Latex • Boot Covers

Specialty Products • Premium Wipes • Underpads • Lens Wipes • First Aid Kits

Quality You Can Trust

Contact us to learn how we can help you grow your business!

1-866-848-2736 • Info@VanguardSafety.com www.VanguardSafety.com

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Enjoy Cocktails in the Dark!

Bond is proud to support the inaugural Cocktails in the Dark event.

VIA is essential to our community, assisting the visually impaired achieve their highest level of independence for more than 110 years.

Avant Building - Suite 900, 200 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14202 • 716.416.7000 • BSK.COM

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Thank you!

Your support helps programs like READY

(Recreation, Experience, and Activities Dedicated to Youth)