DENVER, Jan. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Blind Institute of Technology (BIT) will host its third annual Dining in the Dark gala at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 27 at the Infinity Park Event Center in Glendale, Colorado. This fundraising event is expected to draw more than 400 business, government and community leaders from the state in support of blind and visually impaired (BVI) individuals seeking meaningful employment.
The Dining in the Dark gala raises funds to assist BVI individuals in Colorado and across the country with job placement opportunities, and the employers who hire them with tools, training and education. Proceeds from the event support BIT’s mission, which aims to help solve the excessively high unemployment rate among the blind and visually impaired in the state and throughout America.
“It takes all of us to fight against the more than 80 percent unemployment rate that plagues our BVI community,” said BIT Executive Director and Founder Mike Hess. “The Dining in the Dark gala brings together Denver’s community in support of the thousands of talented and highly-skilled blind and visually impaired people in Colorado. We are very grateful to our many sponsors and attendees who make this gala a very special event.”
The event will be hosted by Hess and accompanied by special Guest Host Denise Plante from Colorado & Company, which airs on 9News. Attendees will learn about the issues facing this talented group of people and see firsthand how BIT and its supporters are cultivating success for many blind and visually impaired people.
OppenheimerFunds, the global asset manager, is a sponsor for the event. BIT will recognize the firm for its commitment to creating solutions-oriented people with disabilities programs and for recognizing the talent that exists within the BVI community by supporting and fostering an inclusive work environment.
The evening kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction, and continues at 6:30 p.m. with dinner in the dark, a short presentation and dancing. Guests will enjoy a special appearance from the reigning Miss Colorado Meredith Winnefeld and be treated to a performance by singer and songwriter Blessing Offor.
This event promises to be a night to remember. Tickets can be purchased at https://blindinstituteoftechnology.org/events/dining-in-the-dark/. Tickets will not be available on-site and must be purchased in advance.
The Dining in the Dark Gala is made possible by its very generous sponsors: DV Mobile; Envision; Aetna; DaVita; The Doyle Group; FirstBank; Integro; Salesforce and its premier sponsors: OppenheimerFunds; Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated; Commvault and ViTl Solutions.
About the Blind Institute of Technology
Founded in 2013, the Blind Institute of Technology is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers solutions-based programs aimed at achieving its mission of reducing the excessively high unemployment and underemployment rate among the BVI community by preparing BIT candidates and the employers who hire them for long-term success. To learn more, visit www.blindinstituteoftechnology.org and connect with BIT on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter @BlindInstituteT.
Contact: Mike Hess
Executive Director and Founder
(303) 995-6453 / mike@blindit.org
