Guiding Eyes For the Blind in the Race to Receive $250K, Voting Polls Open

Guiding Eyes for the Blind's 'Heeling Autism' program is in the race to receive a $250,000 grant from PepsiCo's Project Refresh. 

Anyone from individuals to large organizations can submit their ideas, in six categories -- heath and fitness, arts and culture, neighborhoods, the planet, education, and food and shelter -- to PepsiCo for a chance to win a grant. Grants of $5,000, $25,000, $50,000 or $250,000 will be given out and the winners would be announced on September 1. 

The top two ideas from around the country would each receive a $250,000 grant, and the top ten ideas from each monetary category would also each receive a grant. 

"We need your help," Guiding Eyes for the Blind wrote in a press release addressing the public.

Every day throughout the month of August, people can visit www.guidingeyes.org/refresh and vote for the program to receive the grant. According to PepsiCo, everyone can vote for up to 10 ideas each day.

"Your voice will make a difference in the lives of countless children and families," Guiding Eyes for the Blind said. 

Since 'Heeling Autism' started in 2008, 17 dogs have been placed with families with autistic children. Financial constraints keep the program from providing more service dogs to children in need. They cannot afford more staff to work with and train the dogs. Guiding Eyes provides Heeling Autism at no charge to the families, including the dog, on-site training and extensive at home training. The approximate cost for one dog is $45,000.

Michelle Brier, events and marketing manager for Guiding Eyes, said there are more than 6,000 children living with autism in Westchester, and the waiting list to receive a service dog is two years. 

"$250,000 would go a long way in helping us to serve those people that are on the waiting list," she said. 

The 'Heeling Autism' dogs can ensure the safety of the child and help them develop emotional and social bonds. 

"Our son Michael is seven years old and experiences life in ways we have yet to understand," Joe Rivera said in a statement. "He is severely autistic, non-verbal, and has epilepsy." 

On February 19, 2010, the family, who lives in Croton, received their Heeling Autism dog Kevin. Rivera said the dog has helped their son become independent and get accepted by his peers.

"Kevin has been the only bright spot in our lives for quite some time," the father said. "He has provided our family with love, joy, and hope. Each day we pray that another child with autism will be able to experience the same wonderful gift: a lifelong companion, friend, and beautiful service dog."

With the grant money, Guiding Eyes for the Blind said they would get additional vans to facilitate transportation to and from training sites, one additional instructor to increase enrollment, and 10 harnesses and vests for autism service dogs.

The Refresh Project was launched eight months ago and has since funded 160 projects, and awarded $4,140,000. They are giving out $1.3 million every month to fund ideas that would "refresh the world," they said. 

"A grant from Pepsi Refresh will ensure that we are able to reach more children and their families--many of whom face financial hardship because services for autism are rarely covered by insurance--by providing them with this service, at no cost to them," The Guiding Eyes for the Blind said. 

Brier said Guiding Eyes has a close relationship with PepsiCo, who encouraged them to apply for the grant. They have also been funded through PepsiCo and some of their employees work as puppy raisers and volunteers for Guiding Eyes. 

But the company has no say about who would received the grant, Brier said. It is entirely based on the public's vote. 

To vote from your mobile phone, text 101731 to Pepsi (73774); to install the voting application on Facebook click here. For more information, to see the current rank and to vote, click here.