Record Amount Raised: Carroll Center For the Blind

NEWTON, MA – If you were anywhere near Centre Street on May 21, it's likely you couldn't miss the crowd of people and their four-legged friends take over the Centre Street neighborhood. Well, the tallies are in and that Carroll Center for the Blind's Walk for Independence raised more than $127,000, a record amount, they announced today.

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Check out today's announcement from the center:

More than 350 participants walked with family, friends and their canine companions in the 5th Annual Carroll Center for the Blind Walk for INDEPENDENCE on May 21st, raising more than $127,000 for the organization that provides training to blind and visually impaired people of all ages.

The Walk for INDEPENDENCE celebrates The Carroll Center’s mission - to empower those who are blind and visually impaired to achieve independence and to lead a fulfilling life.

In addition to a 1-mile and 5K walk around the Centre Street neighborhood, there was a free cookout, a variety of activities and games for kids, and a number of pet-friendly vendors throughout the Carroll Center campus. Ted Reinstein, Channel 5 Chronicle anchor/reporter was the emcee for the event.

“I was so pleased to see so many new faces at this year’s event. And while it is important to raise money for the Carroll Center, the annual Walk is also an opportunity to introduce this wonderful organization to people who may not be aware of what we do here,” said Carroll Center President Gregory Donnelly. “With the participation of many individuals and teams, and an impressive list of generous Walk sponsors, we were able to raise a record amount of money to help underwrite our expanding list of client programs. I thank everyone who participated in making the Walk such a successful fundraiser.”

For more than 80 years the Carroll Center for the Blind has served thousands of blind and visually impaired people who seek to rejoin their communities as equal, active and independent individuals. Training services at the Carroll Center range from daily life skills such as cooking, housekeeping and money management, to all levels of computer technology that allow people to re-enter the workforce. The Carroll Center curriculum also includes a number of innovative athletic programs designed to develop balance, dexterity and coordination, including sailing, golfing and skiing.

For more information about The Carroll Center for the Blind visit www.carroll.org