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WHITE CANE AWARENESS DAY CELEBRATIONS COME TO THE SUNCOAST The public is welcomed to join Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center to honor the blind and visually impaired. Contact Name: Dane Gass Contact Email: dane.gass@lighthouseeducationcenter.org Contact Phone Number: 9414040083 SARASOTA, Fla. – Oct. 4, 2021 – Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center will honor White Cane Awareness Day with events throughout the month of October in Highlands, Manatee and Sarasota counties. The white cane is the most easily recognized symbol of a visually impaired person around the globe. This essential tool allows individuals the ability to achieve a full and independent life by helping them move freely and safely in public. White Cane Awareness Day will be celebrated locally on Saturday, October 9, Friday, October 15 and Saturday, October 16 with various events to recognize this important tool of independence. The events are free and open to the public. On Saturday, October 9, Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center will have an educational booth about White Cane at the Sarasota Farmers Market from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. Clients, board members and staff will be present to answer questions about the organization. The Sarasota County event will take place Friday, October 15 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at Paul N. Thorpe Jr. Park, 135 South Pineapple Avenue. Mayor Hagen Brody and City Commissioner Jennifer Ahearn-Koch will present the White Cane Awareness Day proclamation followed by a press conference and walk. Educational booths with activities will be present after the walk. The Manatee County event will take place Saturday, October 16 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and begin at the Manatee County Courthouse, 1101 6th Avenue West. City of Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown will present the White Cane Proclamation and open the walk. Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center will have an educational booth about White Cane at the Bradenton Farmers Market from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. An optional lunch will follow at 12:00 pm at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille. The Highlands County event will take place Saturday, October 16 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at Sebring Circle, 202 Circle Park Drive. The White Cane Awareness Day proclamation will be presented by Mayor John Shoop at the event with sponsors and vendors present. Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of these events. Bradenton Police Department, Bradenton Lions Club, Division of Blind Services, Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida, Florida Department of Transportation, Manatee County Council of the Blind, National Coalition for Safer Roads, Newsom Eye, Sarasota Council of the Blind, Sarasota Police Department, Sevigny Associates Eye Care, Southeastern Guide Dogs, and The Mark Wandall Foundation. President Lyndon B. Johnson established the history of White Cane Awareness Day in 1964. The day commemorates the signing of state and federal laws requiring motorists to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians using a white cane or guide dog. The events hosted around the country serve to educate about the traffic laws and importance of the white cane and its users. Additionally, White Cane Awareness Day celebrates the achievements, freedom and independence of blind and visually impaired people. To learn more about the White Cane Awareness events please contact Nicole Mobley at 941-359-1404 ext. 702 or nicole.mobley@lighthouseeducationcenter.org ### About the Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center: Our mission is to educate and empower those affected by vision loss so they may enjoy happy, healthy and independent lives. Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center is the only nationally accredited, non-profit agency providing rehabilitation training to blind and visually impaired individuals of all ages (children through seniors) in five Florida counties including Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, Highlands and DeSoto.