Sept 22, 2021 - Recovery and Lighthouse Guild
Photos by John Sanderson / AnnieWatt.com
A Visionary Evening & Concert (Gala Benefit for Road Recovery and Lighthouse Guild) honored Simon Kirke and Lauren Oplinger
Location: The Cutting Room, 44 E. 32nd Street, New York, New York 10016
Event Date: September 22, 2021 (6:30pm to 10:15pm)
September 22, 2021, New York City — The signature sold-out event brought together two noteworthy charities dedicated to helping people overcome the challenges created by mental health issues, addiction, and vision loss. Road Recovery, founded in 1998, has served the needs of thousands of at-risk youth in rural and poverty-stricken communities by helping them find a path to productive and fulfilling lives through its education and mentorship-based musical and peer support programs. Lighthouse Guild, with over a hundred years of experience, is a leader in providing coordinated vision and health services, skill-building programs, and technological innovations that inspire people who are visually impaired to achieve their goals.
The event generated over $250,000 via corporate sponsorships from this inaugural Road Recovery and Lighthouse Guild Gala to support vital mental health and vision-related services for thousands of individuals involved in the programs of both nonprofits. The investment from corporate sponsorships will support youth and people who are visually impaired, empowering our communities to drive positive, societal change.
Road Recovery honored one of its own, Simon Kirke, a long-time board member and Creative Staff Mentor. Mr. Kirke was recognized for his decade of humble service of “showing up & walking the walk” together with generations of the charity’s youth.
Lighthouse Guild honored Lauren Oplinger, a long-time volunteer and supporter and Vice President at JP Morgan. Outside of work, Ms. Oplinger is active in raising issues related to vision loss and advocating for people with vision impairment.
Gala Info: Ken Dashow, Q104.3 Afternoon Drive Host & Sunday mornings “Breakfast With the Beatles” emceed the event with performances by:
• Simon Kirke, musician and drummer of the legendary rock bands FREE and Bad Company, Road Recovery Board Member;
• Darryl DMC McDaniels, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee singer/songwriter, Run-DMC; Road Recovery Board Member
Leadership Gala Co-Chairs included Joseph C. Papa, Chairman and CEO, Bausch Health Companies Inc., James Dubin, retired Executive Chairman of Conair Corporation, Eric Maidenberg, Managing Director at Parley for the Oceans, Dr. Christopher Starr, Ophthalmologist at Weill Cornell Medicine.
About Lighthouse Guild
Lighthouse Guild is dedicated to providing exceptional services that inspire people who are visually impaired to attain their goals. We provide coordinated care for eye health, vision rehabilitation and behavioral health as well as related services. Our podcast series, “On Tech & Vision with Dr. Cal Roberts” offers information and insights about technological innovations that are tearing down barriers for people who are blind or visually impaired. For more information, visit Lighthouseguild.org.
About Road Recovery
Since 1998, Road Recovery is an entertainment industry-driven charity dedicated to helping young people battling addiction and other adversities by empowering at-risk youth from all backgrounds to face their struggles, while teaching them comprehensive life skills. Guided by entertainment industry professionals who have confronted similar life struggles and with support from the mental health field, Road Recovery’s action-driven programs provide mentorship, creative performance workshops, and “all access” opportunities for a community of motivated peers to create and produce their own live performance events and studio recording projects. Road Recovery empowers youth to identify, express, and amplify their voices together in hopes of positively impacting both themselves and a greater audience. For more information, visit RoadRecovery.org
Read MoreA Visionary Evening & Concert (Gala Benefit for Road Recovery and Lighthouse Guild) honored Simon Kirke and Lauren Oplinger
Location: The Cutting Room, 44 E. 32nd Street, New York, New York 10016
Event Date: September 22, 2021 (6:30pm to 10:15pm)
September 22, 2021, New York City — The signature sold-out event brought together two noteworthy charities dedicated to helping people overcome the challenges created by mental health issues, addiction, and vision loss. Road Recovery, founded in 1998, has served the needs of thousands of at-risk youth in rural and poverty-stricken communities by helping them find a path to productive and fulfilling lives through its education and mentorship-based musical and peer support programs. Lighthouse Guild, with over a hundred years of experience, is a leader in providing coordinated vision and health services, skill-building programs, and technological innovations that inspire people who are visually impaired to achieve their goals.
The event generated over $250,000 via corporate sponsorships from this inaugural Road Recovery and Lighthouse Guild Gala to support vital mental health and vision-related services for thousands of individuals involved in the programs of both nonprofits. The investment from corporate sponsorships will support youth and people who are visually impaired, empowering our communities to drive positive, societal change.
Road Recovery honored one of its own, Simon Kirke, a long-time board member and Creative Staff Mentor. Mr. Kirke was recognized for his decade of humble service of “showing up & walking the walk” together with generations of the charity’s youth.
Lighthouse Guild honored Lauren Oplinger, a long-time volunteer and supporter and Vice President at JP Morgan. Outside of work, Ms. Oplinger is active in raising issues related to vision loss and advocating for people with vision impairment.
Gala Info: Ken Dashow, Q104.3 Afternoon Drive Host & Sunday mornings “Breakfast With the Beatles” emceed the event with performances by:
• Simon Kirke, musician and drummer of the legendary rock bands FREE and Bad Company, Road Recovery Board Member;
• Darryl DMC McDaniels, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee singer/songwriter, Run-DMC; Road Recovery Board Member
Leadership Gala Co-Chairs included Joseph C. Papa, Chairman and CEO, Bausch Health Companies Inc., James Dubin, retired Executive Chairman of Conair Corporation, Eric Maidenberg, Managing Director at Parley for the Oceans, Dr. Christopher Starr, Ophthalmologist at Weill Cornell Medicine.
About Lighthouse Guild
Lighthouse Guild is dedicated to providing exceptional services that inspire people who are visually impaired to attain their goals. We provide coordinated care for eye health, vision rehabilitation and behavioral health as well as related services. Our podcast series, “On Tech & Vision with Dr. Cal Roberts” offers information and insights about technological innovations that are tearing down barriers for people who are blind or visually impaired. For more information, visit Lighthouseguild.org.
About Road Recovery
Since 1998, Road Recovery is an entertainment industry-driven charity dedicated to helping young people battling addiction and other adversities by empowering at-risk youth from all backgrounds to face their struggles, while teaching them comprehensive life skills. Guided by entertainment industry professionals who have confronted similar life struggles and with support from the mental health field, Road Recovery’s action-driven programs provide mentorship, creative performance workshops, and “all access” opportunities for a community of motivated peers to create and produce their own live performance events and studio recording projects. Road Recovery empowers youth to identify, express, and amplify their voices together in hopes of positively impacting both themselves and a greater audience. For more information, visit RoadRecovery.org
