3rd Annual Paula Bailey “Dining in the Dark" Photos

1. During the afternoon before the event begins, Evelyn Worley, COMS, orientates volunteers who are blind to the ballroom so they can seat guests in the dark.


2. Volunteers practicing navigating the ballroom.


3. More volunteers practicing their cane skills, making their way through the ballroom.


4. Black panals specially constructed to block all of the light out of the ballroom, with playdoh in the corners to seal the cracks, being put up by Wayne Warner and Jeff English.


5. As tall as Jeff is, putting up the black out panals requires a ladder as each of the 24 windows are are 6 feet high by 4 feet wide!


6. Toni Jenkins-Flavien tapes door prizes to the bottom of a chair at each table for guests to find in the dark.


7. Sgt Charlie Strickland has assisted FIRE at every Dining in the Dark event, and recruited the entire Leon County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team to wait on tables in the dark using their night vision goggles.


8. The Leon County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team volunteers that worked the 2007 event - we couldn't do it without them!


9. The University Center Club event manager, Brandon, who has bent over backwards to accomodate this unique event each year, and Sgt. Charlie Strickland.


10. The Capital City Chordsmen Barbershop Quartet serenaded guests in the dark while everyone was being seated.


11. The Women's Quartet serenaded guests in the dark as well, quite a welcome surprise!


12. The reception in the first floor lobby is filled with guests as the event gets under way.


13. Thanks goes to the City of Tallahassee for providing a sound system on which Wayne Warner announces the training sessions on how to walk, sit & eat in the dark, as well as what table number is to be seated next.


14. The reception in the lobby after the first few tables have been called to go up to the ballroom.


15. Jeanine Kane, CVRT, leading the training on "How To Walk, Sit, and Eat in the Dark" with a volunteer from the audience.


16. Jeanine teaching the training group in the auditorium.


17. The bartenders serving guests at the reception, with the "A State of Vision" specialty license tag in the background - funds go to support FIRE!


18. Guests as they board the elevator to go up to the third floor ballroom to be seated in the dark.


19. Board Member Sharyn Davidson's table as they line up along the wall and prepare to enter the lightlock, complete with Red Lobster bibs (just in case).


20. John Newton's table as they enter the lightlock - heavy black drapes designed to block out the light as the ballroom doors are opened.


21. Dining in the Dark in the pitch black ballroom!


22. Board President Frank Seidman as he speaks about the ten nominees for the Paula Bailey Inspirational Community Member Award.


23. Doug and Elizabeth Bailey and the "aftermath" of dining without sight.


24. Fire Chief Cindy Dick presents the Paula Bailey Inspirational Community Member Award to 2007 winner Barbara Kiger.


25. Barbara Kiger with her son and grandchildren, Fire Chief Cindy Dick and Board Member Lisa Raleigh.


26. Barbara Kiger with her son and grandchildren, as they congratulate her on winning the award.


Thank you to everyone who contributed to this successful fundraising event!

Updated 10/17/07