Las Vegas Blind Center hosts annual Imagine Gala

The Las Vegas Blind Center presented its Visionary Champion and Reflection of Light awards during its third annual Imagine Gala on Sept. 14 at the World Market Center.

The Blind Center strives to help people of all ages reach their highest physical, social, intellectual and economic potential. To achieve these objectives the center focuses on three areas: personal development, social interaction and meaningful employment. The Blind Center of Nevada is one of the few full-service blind centers in the nation.

James Kegley, founder, owner, president and CEO of U.S. Micro Corp., was honored with the Blind Center’s Visionary Champion Award. He presented a challenge for the Blind Center to match his yearly grant of $25,000 per year for the next 10 years.

Receiving the Reflection of Light awards were Brilynn Rakes, Ginny Owens and Ed Gallagher.

A video featuring Derek Hough of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” introduced 17-year-old Rakes, who despite her visual impairments was able to perform with Hough in a “Spotlight Dance” on the popular TV show. She is enrolled as a freshman at Fordham University and is in the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s BFA program.

Owens, a pianist, entertained during the gala. At the age of 3, Owens lost her sight because of a degenerative eye condition. She has pursued a music career and is a successful songwriter and singer.

Gallagher, of San Francisco, had been an avid sailor until he lost his eyesight to CMV retinitis. He was involved in creating a remote guidance system that includes webcam-embedded sunglasses, a tiny notebook computer and Wi-Fi. Through his business called Genoa Services, the technology advances continue, and he is able to pair blind people with volunteers who, using his remote guidance system, guide the blind in essential tasks.

The 400 party guests entered the middle building in the Market Center complex, where they were entertained by the “Singing Belts” before taking the elevator up to the 16th floor for the grand reception.

Multicolored balloon arches led the way to the reception and its fabulous silent auction, with entertainment by dancers Lucelia Pavon and Alejandro Falcon.

Special guests were the James (Davis) and Jaymes (Vaughan) Team Chippendales who participated in TV’s “Amazing Race.” The men served specialty drinks made by bartender Erin Ferreira that contained colored blinking ice cubes.

Guests later returned to the first floor for the dinner by chef Keith Norman of South Point and also a culinary arts instructor at the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Las Vegas.

Dinner music was by the Peter Love Trio as guests including Fran Goldberg, Dawn Green, Judi and Lenny Chide, Kyle Buchanan, Steve Owen, Alissa Kelly and Mona and Jeff Kegley dined on prosciutto and chevre salad, an entree of grilled fillet and herbed chicken, and petit red velvet cupcake and Key lime pie.

The Blind Center’s President Cory Nelson spoke about the center being the only facility in Southern Nevada that has a place for people with visual disabilities to spend all or part of their day. It is the only state agency that provides job skills training and placement to visually impaired people who want to work.

Nelson was presented with a check for $15,000 from the West Charleston Lions Club.

Master of ceremonies was headliner and star of “Comedy After Dark” at the LVH, Anthony Padilla. The evening concluded with Lenny Chide conducting a live auction.