Foundation Fighting Blindness’ 5th Annual St. Louis Dining in the Dark
The Foundation Fighting Blindness, a national nonprofit focused on sight-saving research, presented its Visionary Award to Matt Holliday, Left Fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals and Bob O’Loughlin, chairman and CEO of Lodging Hospitality Management, at the 5th Annual St. Louis Dining in the Dark. The event, taking place Thursday, February 6, 2014 at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, gave guests a unique glimpse into the lives of the visually impaired. It also benefited the Foundation’s research into preventions, treatments and cures for blinding retinal degenerative diseases like macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa that affect more than 10 million Americans, young and old.
Dining in the Dark provided a distinctive sensory awareness experience in which guests participate in an unforgettable dining adventure, in complete darkness. To get first-hand insight into the challenges of the blind community, diners wore special light-blocking masks and ate their entrée using only their heightened senses of smell, sound, taste and touch. Created in Germany, Dining in the Dark has become a one-of-a kind concept that has been enjoyed by many people across Europe before moving to America in 2005.
“Dining in the Dark is an opportunity to give people a better understanding of the many obstacles those with low to no vision face on a daily basis,” asserted Wildwood resident Jason Morris, who is Co-Chairing the event with his wife Leslie. They became involved with the Foundation in 2009 shortly after their son Jack was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a genetic disease characterized by night blindness and a progressive loss of peripheral vision. “We’re thrilled to recognize the accomplishments of Bob O’Loughlin and Matt Holliday, two well-respected members of the St. Louis community, as we support cutting-edge research that has already restored some vision in patients. We have great hope that treatments and cures are in sight.”
Serving as Honorary Chair was Foundation National Trustee John Mozeliak, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, who has been involved with the St. Louis Dining in the Dark since its inception in St. Louis in 2010. Entertaining the crowd as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies was Dan McLaughlin, the play-by-play voice for St. Louis Cardinals television broadcasts.
A true visionary in the hospitality industry, the Foundation honored Bob O’Loughlin, Chairman and CEO of Lodging Hospitality Management. In addition to his industry leadership, he belongs to several community and business groups, including the Civic Entrepreneurs Organization, Rotary Club, St. Louis Ambassadors, Downtown St. Louis, Inc., the Missouri Athletic Club Board of Governors, and he serves on the board of Enterprise Bank.
Also receiving the Visionary Award was St. Louis Cardinals Left Fielder Matt Holliday. A six-time All Star and four-time Silver Slugger Winner, he was named the National League Championship Series MVP in 2007. Holliday also is known for his community leadership off the field. He is involved in non-profits such as Cardinal Glennon’s Children’s Hospital, Cardinals Care, Waino’s World, The Pujols Family Foundation and several organizations that aid inner city programs.
Individual tickets for Dining in the Dark cost $250 and sponsorships began at $2,500.
About Foundation Fighting Blindness
The Foundation Fighting Blindness comprises a national non-profit organization driving the research that will lead to preventions, treatments and cures for retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases that affect more than 10 million Americans. Since 1971, the Foundation has raised nearly $550 million as the leading non-governmental funder of inherited retinal research. Breakthrough Foundation-funded studies using gene therapy have restored significant vision in children and young adults who were previously blind, paving the way for additional clinical trials to treat a variety of retinal degenerative diseases. With a coveted four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the Foundation also has nearly 50 chapters that provide support, information and resources to affected individuals and their families in communities across the country.
