Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind Announces 3rd Annual Light the Way 5K

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB) will host its third annual Light the Way 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, September 28, 2013, 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, one of the principal owners of the Washington Nationals, and Steve Neibergall, President of Safeway's Eastern Division, are co-chairs of CLB's Light the Way 5K.

"Our family and the Nationals are very proud to host the Light the Way 5K at Nationals Park for the third year," said Lerner. "We are honored to support Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind in its effort to provide valuable programs and services to blind and visually impaired residents across the region."

"Safeway is committed to helping people with disabilities and we are pleased to build an ongoing partnership with Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind," said Neibergall.  "As someone who is passionate about running, baseball and helping others, I'm delighted to co-chair the Light the Way 5K.  This wonderful event is growing each year and generating more awareness and funding for CLB."

The roster of distinguished event sponsors also includes National Industries for the Blind, Capital One, Geppetto Catering, the Coca-Cola Company, Three Wire Systems, Broad Street Realty, iCORE Networks, Delta Gamma, Utz Quality Foods Inc., Howard Insurance, Meltzer Group, Washingtonian, Visionary Leadership, CBS Radio, ABC 7/News Channel 8, MC Strategies, UBS, EagleBank and Mission Foods.

Light the Way 5K debuted in 2011 with more than 600 runners, walkers and guides participating and grew to more than 1,300 participants in 2012. 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.

"For more than 100 years, CLB has worked to reach individuals throughout the community who need our services," said Anthony J. Cancelosi, K.M., President and CEO of CLB. With the growing number of aging baby boomers with visual impairments and wounded 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."

Light the Way 5K is a unique and competitive walk, run, and roll race that begins at Nationals Park and ends on the warning track. The event is open to all and new this year is the Kids' Race for youngsters ages 3-8.  Opportunities are available to act as a guide to a runner or walker.  For more information about the race and to register, visit www.LightTheWay5k.org.

Light the Way 5K Run/Walk Early Sponsors:

• Washington Nationals Baseball Club
• Safeway
• National Industries for the Blind
• Capital One
• Geppetto Catering
• Coca-Cola Company
• Three Wire Systems
• Broad Street Realty
• iCORE Networks
• Delta Gamma
• UTZ Quality Foods, Inc.
• Howard Insurance
• Meltzer Group
• Washingtonian
• Visionary Leadership
• CBS Radio
• ABC 7/News Channel 8
• MC Strategies
• UBS
• EagleBank
• Mission Foods

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, D.C., region, by providing vision-health screenings, independent living skills training, support groups, retraining, and job counseling and placement.  Among the veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, 17% of them have visual impairments.  CLB partners with government and private agencies to retrain and employ these wounded warriors.  Independence is our vision.  For more information, please visit our website at www.clb.org.

Contact: Jocelyn Hunter
Director of Communications
[email protected]

SOURCE Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB)