Award-Winning Pianist Who Lost Sight at Age 11 Headlines May 20 Benefit Concert for Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey

Blind jazz pianist and composer Justin Kauflin will headline the Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey’s benefit concert, Just Jazz4, on May 20 at the Morris Museum’s Bickford Theatre in Morris Township.

“We are honored to host Justin Kauflin, an incredible role model and talented musician who demonstrates that people can achieve greatness, with or without sight,’’ said Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey Executive Director Kris Marino.

Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey, formerly the NJ Foundation for the Blind, is one of the longest-serving nonprofits for people with profound vision loss in New Jersey, and has helped more than 50,000 people over its 73-year history. Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey teaches adults techniques to overcome the challenges of sight loss, and promotes their emotional and physical wellness in a friendly, supportive environment. It offers the only comprehensive, nonresidential vision rehabilitation program for adults in New Jersey.

American Foundation for the Blind President and CEO Carl R. Augusto will receive the Distinguished Visionary Leader Award for improving the lives of people with profound vision loss. The Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey will also honor Investors Bank Vice President-Director of Community Development Ada Melendez-McGuinness with the Community Outreach Award.
Two longtime members of the Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey Board of Trustees will be recognized for their tremendous contributions. Board Chair Sally Hudson will receive the Leadership Award and Iris Torres, who retired as executive director of the nonprofit in 2010 and served as chair of the trustee board, will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Just Jazz4 tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at . For more information, call 973- 627-0055, ext. 323, or email Nina McCormack, director of development & communications, at nmccormack@vlanj.org.
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