BUCKS COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

07/16/2025

Our Spring campaign's success is all thanks to you! During these uncertain economic times, and with growing demand for our services from an aging population, your support is more important than ever.

We’d also like to thank the following:

Bookin’ For Lookin’
The 13th Annual Bookin’ For Lookin’ 5K & 10K race was a success, attracting nearly 400 participants. We are grateful to Mark McCowan and his Bookin’ For Lookin’ Foundation for donating all proceeds from the race to us, $20,000, and for continuing to support our essential services and programs. Since founding his nonprofit organization in 2013, Mark has raised over $125,500 for organizations, “fighting blindness one stride at a time.”

BCABVI Lions Club
For 18 years, the BCABVI Lions Club chapter, composed of our clients, has fundraised for organizations making a difference for the blind and visually impaired community like BCABVI. We appreciate their generous 2025 donation. As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, we’ll highlight their and Lions Club International's invaluable partnership through the years.

Dolly’s Bingo Fundraiser
Hopefully, by now, you’ve read Dolly’s story in our Spring Mailer. Our goal with our clients is to help them live their best lives with their vision loss. Dolly loves bingo, and this year, she and her fellow organizers chose BCABVI as the recipient of their annual bingo fundraiser event. We are thankful for their awesome donation.

We are immensely grateful for all our donors, whether first-time or longtime supporters. Thank you!

For more information about Bookin' For Lookin', please visit: https://bookinforlookin.com

For more information about BCABVI Lions Club, please visit:
https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/buckscountypa

07/09/2025

You may know BCABVI for our Low Vision Clinic, but that’s just the beginning of what we do. Explore our group programs below, where we build connection, confidence, and community every day.

In-Person Events
Facilitated by Marcie Filiano, clients come together at BCABVI’s Newtown facility to share connections, experiences, and camaraderie in a fun, safe, and educational setting.

Virtual Healthy Living Speaker
Community speakers offer our clients health & wellness resources and information for services outside the scope of BCABVI.

Virtual Intermediate Tech
Taught by an instructor, the program is for users familiar with iOS devices (iPhone, iPad). Clients learn about available accessible device options, including customizing the display, navigating surroundings, and more.

Virtual Living Life With Vision Loss Support Group
This support group is geared towards clients who are not new to vision loss. It provides a safe space for members to connect, share their challenges, and discuss potential solutions for day-to-day living with visual impairment.

Virtual Navigating Life With Vision Loss
This instructor led 8-week program is for clients with new or significant changes in their vision. The small group (8-10 people) provides information, support, sharing experiences, and a safe space for clients to create a peer network. Annual in-person recognition get-together.

Virtual Graduate Navigating Life With Vision Loss
The group, taught by an instructor, is open to all clients who have gone through the Navigating Life With Vision Loss. The goal of this program is for clients to continue building their peer network and gaining invaluable tips and techniques from each other.

Virtual Marcie’s Lunch and Learn
This program, led by Marcie Filiano, is designed for clients to connect with each other while learning new things. Sessions will be held every other month, each concentrating on a different topic.

Virtual Mindfulness Group
The instructor leads the group through mindfulness practices and meditation as part of BCABVI’s health & wellness initiative.

Virtual Rehab Skills Training
Dr. Erin Kramer provides an overview of BCABVI rehab options, sharing tips, tools, and techniques to help clients develop skills and strategies for everyday living. Individualized follow-up training available.

Virtual Research Discussion Group
Marcie Filiano provides a guided information-sharing discussion, sharing recent research, innovations, and other topics on vision loss.

Virtual Young Adult Support Group
This support group is led by Marcie Filiano and is tailored to clients who are young adults and addresses important topics such as employment, dating, housing, and completing schooling. We are actively looking for new members.

Virtual Chair Yoga
Taught by an instructor who is part of our health & wellness initiative, this program is restarting in September.

In-Person BCABVI Lions Club
The BCABVI Lions Club was founded by and is led by clients who raise funds to help people experiencing vision loss in Bucks County pay for eyeglasses.

Virtual Book Club
This client-led club offers an opportunity to foster a sense of community and learning, sharing thoughts and opinions on each book in an open, respectful environment.

To learn more about our in-person and virtual group programs, please contact Marcie Filiano at 215.968.9400.

07/04/2025

BCABVI will be closed today, Friday, July 4th in observance of July 4th.

We wish you and your families a Happy Independence Day.

07/02/2025

06/25/2025

Yesterday was our first in-person event of summer 2025, and it was a lot of fun! It’s always wonderful to see our clients come together and connect, sharing stories, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company.

Despite the scorching temperature outside, it was great that so many clients came out for the event. Karen, Stosh & John braved the heat to pick up and drop off our clients. Marcie led the fun sports-themed event, and the clients participated in a family feud game and sports trivia. The rest of our staff spent time with our clients, assisting them as they participated in the games, lunch, and snacks. The staff at BCABVI work so well together to help create an enjoyable day for our clients.

“I look forward to these in-person events for the friendship, the fun, and being with people in similar situations.” - Mary, BCABVI client

“These in-person events are a treat. I enjoy seeing everyone, and I’m always learning things from my fellow clients, who are also my friends.” - Meg, BCABVI client

We can’t wait to see our clients at our next in-person summer event, which will include lunch, snacks, a movie, and good cheer!

06/20/2025

We are closed today, Friday, June 20th due to a power outage.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

06/18/2025

Last night’s anniversary dinner at the Temperance House in Newtown was a fantastic way to celebrate BCABVI’s 80 years of service to our blind and visually impaired community.

Anne Marie Hyer, our Executive Director, discussed our accomplishments and challenges for this fiscal year (July 1st, 2024 - June 30th, 2025) during her presentation, “BCABVI: Always Moving Forward.” She also outlined our future goals, trends, and opportunities in these uncertain financial times.

This year’s dinner featured an 80th Anniversary theme with attendees writing down their thoughts about BCABVI for our time capsule, reflecting on how far our organization has come over the years.

The highlight of the evening was the premiere of our 80th Anniversary documentary, “BCABVI: Celebrating 80 Years,” which showcases our journey from our founding in 1945. You can view the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj45kPgajM4

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our staff, volunteers, board members, partners, and all of you for assisting us in achieving our mission to help our clients lead rich, vibrant, and independent lives.

We have more work to do, and there’s time to make a donation for this fiscal year, which ends on June 30th. Although we have stood the test of time over our 80 years, we still cannot do this important work without the support of donors like you. If you’d like to make a donation, please click here:
https://funraise.org/give/BUCKS-COUNTY-ASSOCIATION-FOR-THE-BLIND-AND-VISUALLY-IMPAIRED/7d87bda2-9c74-49ab-9a85-57171515c5ba/

To learn more detailed information about our work, please view the second video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKmr7wq5y_o&t=8s

Thank you & enjoy!

06/11/2025

The Lions Club is a global organization with the motto “We Serve.” The BCABVI Lions Club was founded over 18 years ago for that very reason - to serve the blind and visually impaired community.

Our chapter, made up of BCABVI clients, raises funds to provide individual assistance as needed, but primarily helps organizations that support the blind and visually impaired community.

This Friday, June 13th, BCABVI Lions Club members will be outside (400 Freedom Drive, Newtown) selling raffle tickets for their latest fundraiser. They have beautiful theme-filled baskets, as well as other awesome prizes. We invite you to stop by! The raffle drawing will take place on June 24th.

For more information about the BCABVI Lions Club or to join their local chapter, please call: 215.968.9400.

In celebration of our 80th Anniversary, we’ll feature the Lions Club in a future Blink as they’ve been such a transformative partner for BCABVI over the years. Stay tuned!

06/06/2025

The BCABVI Lions Club ladies are out front, selling raffle tickets. There are beautifully filled baskets and other great prizes. The drawing is on June 24th.

Proceeds are going to good causes, including BCABVI!

Please stop by and while you're here, shop at our Thrift Shop!

06/04/2025

Last week's Mixed-Media Workshop with our returning guest artist Spriha Gupta was a hit! With Spriha’s guidance, clients crafted unique abstract art on wooden canvases using felt, buttons, and tiles.

Traditional forms of art can be inaccessible to those experiencing vision loss. Tactile art, however, is an accessible option that opens up a world of creativity for individuals with vision loss. Art becomes more than something to see; it becomes something to feel and explore.

“When we first shared that we were having a guest artist, some people were hesitant, but it turned out to be a very empowering experience. Our clients enjoy exploring their creativity. The day was filled with laughter, good conversation, concentration, and pride in the accomplishment!” Marcie Filiano, BCABVI Caseworker

To learn more about our in-house client events, please contact Marcie at 215.968.9400.