Community Corner
Guiding Eyes for the Blind Volunteer Gives the Gift of Sight
Meet Christopher Bugeya, a 16-year volunteer for the Yorktown organization that provides trained dogs to visually impaired children, men and women.
It was almost 16 years ago that Christopher Bugeya and his family watched a news program about Guiding Eyes for the Blind. It touched their hearts forever. Within the month, his family had their first puppy.
By getting involved with Guiding Eyes for the Blind, an organization located in Yorktown that provides trained dogs to visually impaired men and women, Bugeya wanted to teach his children a lesson they could not learn in the classroom. He said he wanted them to experience what it's like to help other people.
There are multiple ways to get involved with Guiding Eyes for the Blind including brood/stud foster, kennel enrichment, home socialization, in-house volunteers, early training and socialization, as well as Bugeya’s favorite – puppy raising.
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Bugeya and his family have raised three dogs – Luster, Suede, and Kindle – in the last 16 years.
"Only Luster made it all the way through the program," Bugeya said. "The other two went on to other programs supported through Guiding Eyes."
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His family remembers the moment when their first puppy, Luster, graduated from the program with her new owner/companion. Today, the family still keeps in touch with Luster’s owner.
"It showed my children the work that we did over a two-year period can make a huge difference in someone’s life," Bugeya said.
Bugeya is also involved with the committee that plans the annual Guiding Eyes' Golf Classic. As a member of the committee, the man works with local businesses and the community to bring awareness to Guiding Eyes.
"Our primary goal is to raise money for Guiding Eyes for the Blind since all of the services are provided free of charge," Bugeya said. "The cost for each dog is $45,000 to raise from start to finish."
"The recipient of a new guide dog is like giving the gift of sight," Bugeya said.
is located at 611 Granite Springs Rd. in Yorktown Heights. For more information call 914-245-4024.
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