BUNNY IN THE CITY: Diners in the Dark Enjoy Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired – Entertainment & Life – Savannah Morning News

The Fourth Annual Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision Dinner gave nearly 300 guests the experience of dining in complete darkness, not knowing where your fork is, who is sitting to your left, or even where the fork is. ‘Entrance.

We’re back at Embassy Suites where 25 operators from the Savannah Police Department’s SWAT team escort groups of 10 to two 30-foot-long blackout tents while event chairperson Tara O’Sullivan, speaks with SWAT Commander Staff Sgt. Philippe Collard.

“We get out of our police duties, we blend in with the community and we partner with an organization that helps everyone – we love it,” shares the proud Salt Lake City native. Grabbing his helmet with night vision goggles, Staff Sgt with Cpl. Brandon Lord and Matt Cross pose for a photo before I get swept away by my new favorite nonprofit guy.

Remember the name “League of Brawn”. You’re going to see a lot of Justin West and his ferocious village of men. “We provide a safe and transparent environment where we support each other with the goal of helping our community – one person at a time,” shares the founder of LOB.

Introducing Justin and his gorgeous wife DeMetrias “Dee” to Erica Screven, the principal lady of the Eichholz law firm, I let the trio talk about possible collaborations and move on to other presentations with tonight’s emcee Chris. Tatum to Lou Valoze and Lisette Riccelli from Agenda Latina to Tad Ganem and Jermaine Kicklighter.

Then I tell the volunteer Queen of Savannah, Lisa Roberson, that she has some competition. My Jefferson County Home Daughter, Susan McGahee, is everywhere! Volunteering here tonight at Savannah Master Calendar and Buy Local, the owner of IMI Financial Group is emerging as the “must have” princess.

With more guests filling the lush lobby, my videographer Tre Windom and I receive an invitation to Firefighter Billy King’s March 14 Fire Ball, say hello to Courtney Rawlins and her team of Pooler Ambassadors, then promise a singer from Savannah, Kim Polote, to lead her to her. auto.

Then my Cairo, GA native Jason Usry spends an evening on the town with his glamorous Queen Dru and one of his Georgetown neighbors Stuart and Catherine Glasby. Proud to see the CrimeStoppers board member talking with Jason about the future of this great non-profit organization, I come to share some admiration for tonight’s “hot SWAT” with the incomparable Kathryn Murph.

Patiently waiting for Kathryn to gather her looks for a group photo, I grab a past appetizer from Papa’s BBQ, then say hello to Zelonia Williams. With an introduction between the two powerful women, I leave happy when I hear Zelonia explain what Future Minds literacy and adult education is all about.

Now everyone is sitting in the dark ballroom and I have time to chat with Becky Sterrett, Embassy Suites sales manager, about tonight’s “labor of love”. Explaining how long it takes to black out windows and tape 18-foot-tall spotlights with a ski lift, the former president tells me that she has volunteered every year for this well-known nonprofit. love.

Just as I persuade myself to step into the abyss, I hear Mayor Van Johnson shouting, “Wait for me! We then convince Marianne Ganem Poppell to enter a room filled with the sounds of fallen silverware, clinking glasses and mumbled exclamations that I can’t print!

To my right, I hear a lady say, “Hey, I’m on your left, I’m going to pass you some bread. As I try to sprinkle some dressing on my salad, the lights come on and we find ourselves sitting at Table 29 with Heather Harvey and her husband Jeremy.

As Chris Tatum and guest speaker Tiffany Baylor talk about how our sense of smell, touch, and sound are amplified, they kick off the evening with a $ 10,000 donation from benevolent Samir Nikocevic and Charles C. Taylor, then encourage the crowd to donate that will fund everything from the white canes to the video magnifier system and the on-site practice boardwalk.

Next, Savannah CBLV Managing Director Lois Modell takes the stage to talk about “tonight’s revealing experience of what it’s like to find your way in total darkness. The difference for you is that the lights come back on. For many of our students, the lights never come back on.

For 60 years, this tiny but powerful center has led the visually impaired, from children to the elderly, to navigate the dark, seek independence, attend school or stay out of nursing homes. . And for people who “teach people to be blind,” imagine a standing ovation and say hello!

Invite Bunny to your gathering, gala, or other social event. Contact Bunny at 912-844-1122 or email him at bunnyware@aol.com.