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Community Corner

Wine, Music & Puppies: Guiding Eyes for the Blind Hosts 4th Annual Wine Tasting Benefit

On Sunday, October 6, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, known around the globe as one of the foremost guide dog schools, will host their 4th annual wine tasting benefit, Wine, Music & Puppies, from 3:00 – 6:00pm at the nonprofit’s Headquarters and Training Center in Yorktown Heights. Attendees will join renowned sommelier Amy Dixon and musician Blessing Offor, both Guiding Eyes for the Blind graduates, for a unique music concert and paired wine tasting experience.

Wine, Music & Puppies begins with a campus tour followed by a sparking wine reception with hors d’oeuvres and live music from The Norm Hathaway Band. At 4:30pm, Dixon and Offor will lead guests in a paired music performance and guided wine tasting. The program, inspired by Offor’s upcoming album, Roots, will cover the noble grapes – all French varietals and the antecedents of today’s wines. Typically the three white grapes, Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, are included together with three red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinor Noir and either Merlot or Syrah.

A Certified Wine Specialist from the Society of Wine Educators, Dixon is studying to be a Master of Wine, of which there are only 212 in the world – a mere dozen of them women. She has travelled the vineyards of Portugal, Italy, France and Germany, now working alongside Guiding Eyes Elvis, her first guide dog from the nonprofit.

“Guiding Eyes for the Blind gave me my life back,” Dixon said. “Elvis has opened many doors for me that I couldn’t have passed through otherwise, both literally and figuratively. The school is the single most important thing in my life – it’s my lifeline.”

A singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Blessing Offor provides audiences with an all-encompassing, unforgettable musical experience. Offor was born in Nigeria and came to the United States as a child to receive treatment for his glaucoma. He has since opened for such legends as The Temptations, Average White Band, Tower of Power, and New Orleans blues legend Dr. John. A former contestant on Bravo's Platinum Hit, he has performed three times at the Kennedy Center and will release his new album, Roots, in 2014. With Laramie, his second dog from Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Offor has again found a loving, devoted companion and guide.

For someone without sight, a Guiding Eyes dog is a priceless, life-changing gift providing independence, companionship, and mobility. Guiding Eyes for the Blind provides guide dogs, professional training, and follow-up support services to blind and visually impaired individuals around the world at no cost to them, depending solely on contributions to fulfill its mission. Additionally, Guiding Eyes’ Heeling Autism Program places specially trained service dogs with children on the autism spectrum.

Tickets for Wine, Music & Puppies start at $60. Premium tickets are available for $125 and include a gift bag with a bottle of wine hand-selected by Dixon. Seating is limited and reservations are required by September 30. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Erica Stanzione at 914-243-2238 or estanzione@guidingeyes.org.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is located at 611 Granite Springs Road in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. They can be reached at 914.245.4024 or by visiting www.guidingeyes.org.

About Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is an internationally accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit guide dog school founded in 1954. Since its inception, Guiding Eyes has grown to be one of the foremost guide dog schools in the world, known for its cutting-edge training programs, commitment to excellence, and dedication to its elite and superbly trained guide dogs. In 2008, the school launched Heeling Autism, a service dog program designed to provide safety and companionship for children on the autism spectrum. Guiding Eyes provides all of its services at no cost, and is dependent upon contributions to fulfill its mission. The organization’s Headquarters and Training Center is located in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. and its Canine Development Center is in Patterson, N.Y. For more info, visit www.guidingeyes.org, like Guiding Eyes on Facebook (www.facebook.com/guidingeyes) or follow @guidingeyes on Twitter.

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