Happy Summer!

Out of the mud from our Blind Mud Run and into the water with our Team BLINDSTART Dragon Boat, we thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support. Sadly, we recently lost two members of our BLINDSTART Family: Melinda Gassman and Jason Hafer. 

Melinda was my blind mentor and friend who taught me to "always be an advocate for the blind community", inspiring me to start Blind Start of America. Melinda was the recipient of our annual "Eye for Independence Award" for courage at our 2009 Dinner in the Dark event. I ran this year's Blind Mud Run blindfolded in her honor and now have an even greater appreciation for my limited sight. 

Jason Hafer was one of our volunteer coaches for our Team BLINDSTART Dragon Boat Race. This Saturday, July 28th, at the 2012 Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival, we are honoring Jason by wearing JH patches on our blindfolds. He will race with us in spirit. 

We dearly miss both Melinda and Jason; their courage, kindness, and service have strengthened our cause and the blind community. We plan to create Blind Start memorial scholarship funds in their honor. Thank you Melinda and Jason, for your visionary leadership and service to BLINDSTART and our Community. We will continue to serve in your memory and honor.

Again, thank you for all of the support; we hope to see you at the race! Go BLINDSTART! 

HAVE A BLESSED AND VISIONARY DAY!  

Brian Tom

"America's Visionary Speaker"

CEO & Founder,

Blind Start of America (BLINDSTART)

The 4th Annual Lake Irvine Mud Run on June 23, 2012

Ooh Rah, BLINDSTART!!!

June 23rd at the 2012 Irvine Lake Mud Run,

CONGRATULATIONS to ALL of our Teams and Runners for making our 4th Annual 2012 BLIND MUD RUN a success! We got WET and MUDDY!! Our teams dominated those mud pits, climbing walls, logstacles, river crossings, slip and slides, and more!! BLINDSTART knows how to get down and dirty! :D  

THANK YOU to ALL of our Volunteers, Sponsors, and Supporters - We ♥ You!!!

Also, THANK YOU to the Irvine Lake Mud Run for making BLINDSTART the official Beneficiary of the event! ♥ Special thanks to Grubby and Paul, the BEST Race Directors! :)

Join us at our next BLIND MUD RUN!!!

Be sure to contact Brian at btom@BLINDSTART.org 

OOH RAH!!

Executive Assistant to Brian Tom

Blind Start of America (BLINDSTART)      

Special Thanks to Actress/model Robin Arcuri and her teammates Mark Mann (Humanitarian)  and Ryan Opray (Actor) chose to walk and jog the course while blindfolded to experience limitless vision assisted by a group of Navy Officers in support of "Blind Start of America", along with Karen Price, a hearing impaired participant who completed the entire course unassisted.

Robin Arcuri presenting Brian with his BRAILLE Dog Tag

A special painting made by Rodin Arcuri and her MUD RUN Team

On July 4, 2012, Blind Start of America participated in the Cerritos "Let Freedom Ring!" celebration for the first time. BLINDSTART took this opportunity to do a fundraiser by hosting a food booth. We partnered with Jeepney Asian Grill (JAG) led by JAG owner Paolo Moran. Our menu included pork and chicken skewers, as is or as a meal with rice and steamed vegetables, and Pancit Canton (sautéed noodles). Yummy!

 

The BLINDSTART core group, composed of Brian Tom, Jeanelle Padre, John Leon Guerrero, Melissa Santos, and Ofie Chanco, was assisted by 78 volunteers from Key Clubs of Whitney High School and Cerritos High School. They shared their time in manning the booth, and were talented in marketing the food. They also brought their treasure (allowance) to buy food to support the fundraiser. 

We thank all those who supported the BLINDSTART fundraiser. Most of all, we want to extend our utmost gratitude to each and every one of the 78 high school members of Key Club who shared their time, talent, and treasure to make it a profitable event.  

Thank you to our Key Club Volunteers!

Independence is in Sight!  

Ofie S.M. Chanco

Community Relations Manager 

Hello, fellow BLINDSTART supporters, paddlers, & future paddlers!  2012 is the Year of the Dragon!  There is no better way to celebrate the year than to be part of this year's Team BLINDSTART dragon boat team at the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival in July.  

 

Alex Lingad 

alingad@BLINDSTART.org  

Team BLINDSTART having FUN!!

Paddling HARD at Practice #1

All Geared Up and Ready to GO!!

BLINDSTART Paddlers and Volunteers @ Practice #2

On February 8, 2012,  we lost our fellow mud runner, dragon boat racing coach, and most importantly, our brother. We dedicate this year's Team BLINDSTART Dragon Boat season to Jason Hafer. We will miss your smile, laughs, and your compassion to help others. Thank you for blessing our lives and being a "guide post" for the blind AND sighted. Your spirit will always shine brightly. We ♥ you Jason!

We will wear "JH" patches on our team blindfolds in his honor.

Brian with his brother Jason

Jason helping our blind paddlers!

JULY 28th 

BLIND/BLINDFOLDED 

Dragon Boat Racing 

@ Long Beach

 Dragon Boat Festival 

Marine Stadium

5225 East Paoli Way

Long Beach, CA 90803 

*Look for our Black

 BLINDSTART Tent- E3