Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind Announces 2nd Annual Light the Way 5K

Washington Nationals and Safeway, Other Sponsors Support Fundraiser

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB) will host its second annual Light the Way 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, September 29, 2012, at Nationals Park, benefiting  programs and services CLB provides to people of all ages who are blind, low vision, and deaf-blind in the Washington, D.C. region.

The Washington Nationals and Safeway will again be major sponsors of the event. Mark D. Lerner, Principal Owner of the Washington Nationals, and Steve Neibergall, President of Safeway's Eastern Division are co-chairs of CLB's Light the Way 5K.

"The 'Light the Way 5K' is a wonderful event that we are proud to host here at Nationals Park for the second year in a row," Mark D. Lerner, Principal Owner of the Washington Nationals said. "My family and I are honored to once again support Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind in its effort to provide valuable programming and services to blind and visually impaired residents across the region."

"Safeway has a long history of commitment to helping people with disabilities," said Neibergall. "We began our partnership with Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind last year, and I am delighted to serve for the second year as co-chair of the Light the Way 5K Race and Walk. This event allows me to combine my heart for assisting others with my passion for running and my love of baseball.  I'm looking forward to helping create a bigger and better event this year so we can generate even more awareness and funding for this great organization."

The roster of distinguished event sponsors also includes Capitol One, the Coca-Cola Company, the Washington Examiner, ABC 7/WJLA TV and News Channel 8, and Vornado/Charles E. Smith Co.

Light the Way 5K debuted in 2011 with more than 600 runners, walkers and guides participating. The event is designed to expand awareness about the comprehensive, integrated range of programs and services including low vision care and rehabilitation, job development training, and employment, offered through CLB to people of all ages who are visually impaired or blind, enabling them to maintain independent lives.

"From its inception in 1900, CLB has worked to reach individuals throughout the community who are in need of our services," said Anthony J. Cancelosi, K.M., President and CEO of CLB. "With the growing number of aging baby boomers and veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, demand has grown a great deal over the years and we must be prepared to accommodate the needs of the community."

Recently, Macular Health LLC, a company that focuses on scientific methods to help individuals with macular degeneration, an age-related eye disease, reported that adults 65 and older have a 1 in 3 chance of experiencing some form of vision loss, with diabetes playing a major role in the increase of visual ailments for this age group. Additionally, studies performed by the U.S. Veterans Administration found that 17 percent of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan were involved in an incident that affected their vision.

About Light the Way 5K
Light the Way 5K is a unique and competitive walk/run race that begins at Nationals Park and ends on the Nationals baseball field. The race is supported by various local and national businesses and supports programs and services to people who are blind or visually impaired in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Everyone is invited to participate. Opportunities are available to act as a guide to a runner or walker. For more information about the race, visit www.clb.org

Light the Way 5K Run/Walk Sponsors:

• The Washington Nationals 
• Safeway
• Capital One
• VisionaryLeadership.com
• The Saba Group
• Coca-Cola Company
• Vornado/Charles E. Smith
• Steven Van Grack Law
• The McCormack Group
• ABC 7/WJLA TV and News Channel 8
• The Washington Examiner
• Geppetto Catering
• Sidley
• UBS
• VetAdvisor
• Howard Insurance
• Broad Street Realty
• Citibank 
• UTZ Quality Foods, Inc.
• MV Transportation
• Cloverland Dairy
• McQuade Brennan, LLP
• Michael Harris Homes

About Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB)

CLB serves people of all ages who are blind, low vision, or deaf-blind living in the Washington Region, by providing vision-health screenings, independent living skills training, support groups, retraining, and job counseling and placement.  17% of veterans are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with visual impairment. CLB partners with government and private agencies to retrain and employ these wounded warriors. Independence is our vision. 

For more information, please visit our Web site at www.clb.org.

SOURCE Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB)