Paws 4 an update!

Pictured here are Dixie Land officers, President Audrey Gunter with guide Jesse, Vice President Taylor Jones Stebbins with long white cane Thumper, and Secretary/Treasurer Laurel Jean with long white cane Slim. Thanks to all of the dedicated members of Dixie Land Guide Dog Users Inc., along with our generous volunteers and sponsors, our “Paws 2 Educate” Initiative keeps going and growing! In early November, we had the privilege of presenting for Boy Scouts in the Charleston area as they prepared for their Disabilities Awareness Badges. The boys asked a lot of really great questions as Audrey discussed guide dogs, Taylor demonstrated access technology and Laurel Jean shared her music, along with interesting facts about cane travel and Braille. Scouts learned about guide dog etiquette and how to serve as a sighted guide for someone with limited or no vision.

Later in November, we were honored to partner with one of our: gold sponsors,” the Association for the Blind of South Carolina at a special Holiday Drop-In hosted by the Association.

As Laurel Jean provided dinner music for all who attended this event, Taylor and Audrey manned Dixie Land’s exhibit table.

Dixie Land GDU continues to encourage and support blind youth in the Lowcountry and beyond. In December, Laurel Jean took our “Paws 2 Educate” Initiative on the road in her traveling music ministry. At St. Lucas United Church of Christ in Fort Branch, Indiana, she presented a special Christmas concert to help that area’s Parents and Teachers of Blind Children raise funds on their “Road to Dallas” (the summer, 2012 Convention of the National Federation of the Blind).

 

At another of her Indiana church engagements, Mt. Zion General Baptist Church in Wadesville, Laurel also introduced Dixie Land and our “Paws 2 Educate” Initiative to God’s kids of all ages. Laurel Jean arrived back in South Carolina just in time for the Christmas Party of the Association for the Blind, where she was our featured guest entertainer. Dixie Land believes that in the promotion and sponsorship of blind entrepreneurs, we can help to create a positive presence of the blindness community among the community at large. Watch your inbox for more posts like this one, and thanks again for your ongoing prayers and support!