A Season of Light,
Growth & Community
A special update for our donors and friends — highlighting the stories, milestones, and moments that shaped our Summer at East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind.
Thank you for keeping our light shining.
As the summer sun warms East Texas, we are reminded that the light we share comes from a community of donors, volunteers, staff, and clients who show up for one another day after day.
[Placeholder letter from leadership — final version coming soon. This will introduce the season's stories, thank donors, and preview what's ahead this fall, including White Cane Day, and look back at the Meta Glasses veterans event.]
Congratulations, Ina Toole!
2026 Artie Lee Hinds Employee of the Year Nominee
The Artie Lee Hinds Award recognizes employees who are blind or visually impaired and exemplify excellence, leadership, independence, and dedication in the workplace. Each year, East Texas Lighthouse selects one employee to represent our organization at the statewide competition.
Blind since the age of 18 months, Ina's story is one of resilience, determination, and independence. She has become an invaluable member of our manufacturing team, known for her strong work ethic, positive attitude, and willingness to help others.
Through her employment at East Texas Lighthouse, Ina has achieved a goal that means the world to her: living independently in her own apartment. She takes pride in knowing her work supports state agencies, creates opportunities for others who are blind or visually impaired, and helps fund the life-changing services provided by our Client Services Division.
As our local honoree, Ina will represent East Texas Lighthouse at the WorkQuest Annual Dinner & Expo in September as our nominee for the statewide Artie Lee Hinds Employee of the Year Award.
Read more on Facebook (opens in a new tab)2026 Summer Camp
Adventure, friendship, and new possibilities for young people who are blind or visually impaired.
Adventure, Friendship & New Possibilities
This year's summer camp was packed with unforgettable experiences — from indoor skydiving at iFLY to hands-on independence skills, new friendships, and plenty of laughter along the way.
Camp gives young people who are blind or visually impaired a chance to try new things, build confidence, and connect with peers who understand their journey. For many, it's a week that shapes how they see themselves and their future.
[Placeholder copy — final summer camp recap, highlights, and participant quotes will be added here.]
College Prep Program
A summer transition program for students who are blind or visually impaired.
Building Skills & Confidence for College Success
The East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind College Prep Program is a summer transition program designed to help students who are blind or visually impaired build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in college.
Participants live independently in student housing at Tyler Junior College and attend a real college class for five weeks while receiving structured support in assistive technology, independent living, orientation & mobility, and self-advocacy.
This program is ideal for students who are ready to practice independence while still having access to guidance and support.
Summer By the Numbers
A snapshot of Q3 (April – June) client services and reach across East Texas.
Confidence in the Kitchen
People who are blind or visually impaired can safely and confidently cook meals, bake desserts, use kitchen appliances, and manage their own kitchens.
Through adaptive techniques, specialized tools, organization strategies, and hands-on training, individuals learn how to measure ingredients, identify food items, safely handle knives, monitor cooking temperatures, and much more.
At East Texas Lighthouse, we have a dedicated kitchen in our Client Services building where individuals receive instruction and practice the skills needed to prepare meals and live more independently.
Vision loss doesn't have to mean giving up the activities you enjoy. Sometimes it simply means learning a different way to accomplish them.
Meta Glasses
for Veterans
On August 20, East Texas Lighthouse, Meta, BVA, and Camp V welcomed blind and low-vision veterans from across Texas to our Tyler headquarters, pairing each donated set of Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses with one-on-one training. What started as a technology giveaway became something bigger — connecting veterans with tools, training, resources, and people who can keep supporting their independence.
Interest reached 159 veterans statewide, and nearly a quarter of attendees traveled from outside our 40-county service territory.
“To give back that sense of independence … is immeasurable.”
— Alicia Lansford, Chief Mission Officer, ETLB
Moments that meant everything
A few highlights we shared on Facebook — and the full stories behind them.
Community Story
What an Incredible Day at the 5th Annual Blind Ambition!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for an afternoon of great beer, great people, and an even greater cause. From live music and local vendors to the exclusive new Cherry Kölsch, the event was a tremendous success. Every Blind Ambition beer and merchandise purchase helps support Camp Lighthouse.
See more photos on Facebook (opens in a new tab)
Community Story
Thank You, Delta Gamma!
We're incredibly grateful to Delta Gamma at UT Tyler for their generous support. Through their fundraising, they donated $682.98 to East Texas Lighthouse — and a matching gift from the Delta Gamma Foundation doubled their impact to $1,365.96!
Read more on Facebook (opens in a new tab)
Awareness
Disability Pride Month
July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the identity, achievements, and contributions of people with disabilities while recognizing that disability is a natural and valuable part of human diversity. At East Texas Lighthouse, Disability Pride Month is about more than awareness. It's about independence.
Read more on Facebook (opens in a new tab)Save the date — fall is almost here.
A few upcoming moments we can't wait to share with you:
East Texas White Cane Day
East Texas White Cane Day returns to Bergfeld Park! Whether you've joined us before or will be attending for the first time, we hope you'll help us celebrate a day dedicated to awareness, accessibility, and the incredible blind and low vision community we are honored to serve. Stay tuned — exciting details are on the way!
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