Guiding Eyes for the Blind's Pennsylvania Challenge Aims to Raise $180,000 for Keystone Residents

Guiding Eyes for the Blind, known around the globe as one of the foremost guide dog schools, has announced the launch of the Pennsylvania Challenge to benefit men and women in Pennsylvania who are blind or visually impaired. With a commitment from the George T. Walker Charitable Fund of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation to match up to $90,000 in donations dollar-for-dollar, Guiding Eyes aims to raise $180,000 to provide Pennsylvania residents with specially bred guide dogs, professional training and follow-up support services.

Based in Allentown, the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation promotes philanthropy in order to improve quality of life throughout the region. Funds raised by the Pennsylvania Challenge will be specially designated for state residents and used to defray the expense to admit, train and graduate many new guide dog teams. The donations will also help Guiding Eyes to continue to provide lifetime follow-up services to current Pennsylvania alumni.

“Every day, our graduates show us there is no limit to what can be achieved when partnered with a professionally trained Guiding Eyes dog,” said Linda Press, Guiding Eyes’ Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations & Strategic Partnerships. “Their stories inspire us to continue offering the most exceptional programs and services to those who seek greater independence.”

For 27 year-old Bethlehem resident Elaine Mara, Guiding Eyes Kyle has provided her with a sense of true companionship and safety. She shares, “I transformed from a timid, fearful traveler into a confident young woman. I now walk with pride because of all I have accomplished.”

Mara made the decision to come to Guiding Eyes after witnessing first-hand the impact guide dogs made in the lives of her peers. “Kyle is my ‘linebacker,’ always looking for the opening and checking to make sure I’m okay,” Mara said. “I feel that people are no longer avoiding me, unsure of how to approach or what to say. Having a guide dog has given me the ability to experience the world as a person who happens to be blind. Kyle allows me to be normal.”

Guiding Eyes invests significant resources into breeding, raising and training these special dogs, yet does not charge for any of its services. There is no cost for the dogs or the long-term professional training needed to ensure every graduate’s success.

“We are extremely grateful to the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation for their generosity and strong belief in our programs,” said Press. “Now is the perfect time to help us transform lives; with the Pennsylvania Challenge, your gift can have double the impact.”

For more information, call 914.243.2250 or email LPress@guidingeyes.org. To make a donation online, visit www.guidingeyes.org/donate, select “support a project” and indicate Pennsylvania Challenge. Please also designate “Pennsylvania Challenge” on your letter or check stub.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is located at 611 Granite Springs Road in Yorktown Heights, NY. They can be reached at 914.245.4024 or by visiting www.guidingeyes.org. For the latest news, please visit Guiding Eyes on Facebook (www.facebook.com/guidingeyes) and on Twitter (www.twitter.com/guidingeyes).

About Guiding Eyes for the Blind: Guiding Eyes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing superbly bred and trained guide and service dogs that expand horizons for people to achieve life’s goals. All services are provided free of charge to men and women who are blind or visually impaired and to families with children with autism. Since its inception, Guiding Eyes has grown to be one of the foremost guide dog schools in the world, known for its cutting-edge training programs and commitment to excellence. The organization’s Headquarters and Training Center is located in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. and its Canine Development Center is in Patterson, N.Y. For more info, visit www.guidingeyes.org, like Guiding Eyes on Facebook (www.facebook.com/guidingeyes) or follow @guidingeyes on Twitter.