Foundations strive to assist blind locals
Music could be heard throughout much of Downtown on Saturday as seven different bands filled Civic Center Park with sound. All seven bands were playing for a good cause.
The St. Joseph Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind and the St. Joseph Music Foundation combined efforts to host the first Future Impact fundraising event. The event began at 11 a.m. with music and games for children and continued through the day until 11 p.m. The goal: to raise the money needed to buy equipment that would help keep blind students of St. Joseph in the area. Many blind students who graduate from high school in the area are forced to find further education elsewhere due to lack of equipment.
Carol Henderson, president of the St. Joseph chapter of NFB, said she hoped the event would raise around $5,000 so her chapter could purchase Braille books and a writer.
While most children played the many carnival-type games set up around the park, 13-year-old Drake Babineaux was seated under a tree wearing a soaking wet event T-shirt. He volunteered to be the victim of the water balloon toss. Drake was asked to help out by his friend.
“Since he was doing it, I thought I would, too,” Drake said. “Plus, it helps out other people.”
Drake had already decided after only a few hours that he would be back next year.
While children enjoyed the games, adults were able to kick back and enjoy live music and cool beverages.
“We do a fundraiser every year; we just haven’t done this before,” Ms. Henderson said.
The St. Joseph chapter of NFB usually runs a fireworks stand on Mitchell Street the weeks leading up to July 4 in hopes of raising funds. After Future Impact, the chapter also plans to have another concert-type event in October.
“It’s important to keep kids in St. Joseph instead of sending them to other states because we don’t have what they need,” Ms. Henderson said.
If you missed Future Impact and would like to give to the NFB, donations can be mailed to 1420 Prospect St. in St. Joseph.
Megan Tilk can be reached
at megantilk@npgco.com.
This story has 1 comment. Click here to join in on the discussion.
Story Tools
Hyperlink Legend
E-mail story
Print friendly version
iPod friendly version
Today's Top Headlines
Youths fuel interest in local history exhibits
Welfare Board finds big savings
Professor digs deep to uncover Missouri’s past
Teacher, student among magazine's 'heroes'
Helping the needy
- More Headlines
- Recently Discussed
There are still great people in the community.
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them.
Rules: We don't allow comments that degrade others on the basis of gender, race, class, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability. Epithets, abusive language and obscene comments will not be tolerated... nor will defamation. Brief quotes are okay as long as the source is given. Blatent cutting and pasting is not acceptable.Robust, even heated debate we like. Straying off-topic or flaming, we don't. Please read our user agreement.
Requires free stjoenews.net registration.