Get Involved With the White Cane Walk

About the White Cane Walk

WHAT

The White Cane Walk is the first fundraiser event of its kind for the Lighthouse of the Blind & Low Vision. Each year in October, White Cane Day is celebrated to raise awareness of those with visual impairment, many of whom use white canes for their independence. This year, we are having a fundraising Walk to heighten awareness, and encourage the community to walk alongside those that are blind or have a visual impairment. Come to enjoy the fun, family activities for adults and children, enjoy breakfast and join the community in celebrating White Cane Day and helping those that need our assistance!

WHY

To raise awareness and funds — to support the mission of the Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision, which serves Hillsborough, Polk and Hardee counties. This mission is two-fold: to maximize independence and to provide employment opportunities to those who are visually impaired. All the programs at the Lighthouse are FREE to our clients.

HOW

Those wishing to participate in the White Cane Walk may register online. There is a $25 registration fee for adults, and children are free. You can set up an account to become an individual walker, start a team with family, friends, or coworkers (with employer matching) and raising funds! Every registrant will receive a White Cane Walk t-shirt! The 1-mile walk will be in support of all those who are blind or experience vision impairment — from babies through seniors.

WHO

Anyone may participate! Register today and become a team captain, join an existing team, or register to walk as an individual in honor or memory of someone you know who has experienced vision impairment. There are Corporate Sponsorships available that include marketing benefits prior to the event and the day of the event.

Event Details

White Cane Walk – Tampa

Saturday, October 19, 2023

Check-in: 9:00 a.m.          Walk Begins: 10:00 a.m.

Al Lopez Park, 4810 N. Himes Ave, Tampa

Pavilion #315

For Additional Information, Email:
WhiteCaneWalk@LighthouseBLV.org

You may also call the Lighthouse at 813-251-2407.

About Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision

The Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision in Hillsborough County opened as a nonprofit agency in 1940 in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Tampa. Lighthouse serves anyone who has visual impairment that prevents them from functioning normally in day-to-day activities, irrespective of race, creed, gender, religion or economic status. Priority is given to those who are legally blind. Services are free to clients. Lighthouse is funded by DBS, grants & donations from the community.

Learn more about The Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision >

How To Register

Three Registration Options:

1. Register Your Team

Make yourself the Team Captain (TC), and build your own Team.- pick a catchy name! You will receive a Team link. This link can be sent out to your family, friends and co-workers to invite them to join your Team. You and all those who join your Team will receive your own personal fundraising pages to raise funds. All of the money raised will roll into your Team’s page. You and your Teammates can personalize your pages and everyone can share why they are supporting the Lighthouse’s Walk.

2. Register as an Individual Walker

You will receive a link to your personal fundraising page that you can customize and use to raise funds.

3. Register as a Corporate Team

It is also best to have a Team Captain who starts a Walk Team, then everyone in the company can join that Team. Different departments may want to have their own Teams, for a bit of friendly fundraising competition!  This is a great team-building exercise! Once registered you will receive emails that will include your personal fundraising link. This link is to be used to raise funds on social media or to email friends, family and colleagues to make donations, and to join the walk.

Download the Team Captain Resources >

Download the Walker Resources >

Download the Corporate Partnership Packet >

5 Steps to Success!

Getting Started....

Step 1: Tell Your Story!

Your passion and enthusiasm are contagious! Personalize your fundraising page by uploading a photo and sharing your story about why you are walking and why you are supporting the Lighthouse. People have doubled their fundraising using this simple step.

Step 2: Lead by Example!

Get your 1st gift...from yourself! Make a personal donation to your fundraising page today. People will see how committed you are when they see you are donating, as well.

Step 3: Share Your Campaign!

Reach your friends fast by posting your fundraising page link to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other social media networks. Be sure to explain why you are fundraising! Do this multiple times!

Step 4: Reach Out for Support!

Invite friends, family members and colleagues to participate with you and donate today. Use the email templates in Resources, which includes a link back to your personal fundraising page. Remind people that our programs, free to all clients, help the visually impaired community to continue to be independent as they learn to live with impaired vision. Remind them that their donation is tax deductible.

Step 5: Track Your Progress!

You can track your progress towards your goal!

You've Got This! 

Download this information and more >