Gala shines bright to support Beacon Lighthouse for the Blind

WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Beacon Lighthouse for the Blind continues its mission of raising awareness and fundraising for the blind community.

The ‘Shine through the Night Gala’ serves as Beacon’s only fundraiser of the year.

Staff said the money raised helps pay the bills and allows employees to keep their mission going.

Attendees got to enjoy dinner with glasses mimicking visual impairment. Also, a silent auction and entertainment from Homemade Jam.

Beacon’s Office Administrator and emcee, Blake Allen, said their mission is crucial to Wichita Falls.

“There’s towns twice the size of Wichita Falls that have no place like this for the visually impaired and blind to actually go and work and subsidize their income,” Allen said. “With the way inflation is right now, disability just doesn’t cover all the bills.”

CEO and president Judy Koetter echoed the same sentiment.

“Everybody wants to have success and be a part of everything,” Keotter said. “We feel like we’re just a big family, and we all work and give long together and succeed.”

Allen and Koetter hope the glasses show patrons an employee’s perspective and let them know that accomplishment can be achieved.