A one-of-kind fundraiser will raise both money and awareness for The Blind Center of North Carolina.

What many in the community knew simply as the Blind Center’s Dining in the Dark will be rolled out as the Dr. Dennis A. O’Neal Dining in the Dark Dinner Gala at the Washington Yacht & Country Club.

As an optometrist, O’Neal served the Greenville and Washington areas, advocating for the blind and visually impaired, according to Liz Liles, executive director of the Blind Center. He, and wife Debbie, tragically died in a plane crash in April 2013.

“An instrumental force in The Blind Center, Dr. O’Neal was truly loved by all of the patients that he served, clients that he impacted and employees that he mentored on a daily basis.  This is simply a way for us to keep his memory alive and to continue to share his story, as we reflect on the lives that he has impacted at the Blind Center,” Liles said.

The event includes dinner, cash bar and a silent and live auction, and features renowned author and speaker Aquanetta Gordon, who will serve as the keynote speaker.

Dining in the Dark raises awareness to the extensive challenges of living with some form of blindness by asking attendees to eat a portion of their meal blindfolded. The unique experience not only provides attendees with insight to the daily challenges of the blind and visually impaired, but it also fosters a greater perspective and appreciation for those who thrive in spite of their physical limitations, Liles said.

Liles said Gordon’s late son, Benjamin Underwood, who was born with a cancer of the eyes and was forced to have his eyes removed, provides a touching story of a mother who fought for her son to live a vibrant and abundant life despite his disability, his fight with cancer and his struggle to live.

“And even to the point of his death, this is a child who continues to live with passion and faith,” Liles said. “I can personally promise you that you will not regret a moment spent in the presence of this powerful testimony of God’s provision and faithfulness through blindness and loss.”

Money raised will go toward operations at the Blind Center, which provides a safe haven and support system to strengthen and enhance independent living skills, to the blind and visually impaired community. It also provides resources for members to grow, enrich their lives and fulfill their goals, according to Liles.

The organization serves around 15 people per day, Mondays through Fridays, and offers educational events, cooking, nutrition and a variety of other experiences.

A special fund created in honor of O’Neal will increase the Blind Center’s technology and expand its services to draw more clients, Liles said.

“There is not another place for them to find that social structure and a place to find the support they need and develop those independent living skills. (The money raised) will directly impact the clients we serve every day. Those funds are contributing to the wholeness of their life and increase the ability for the center to expand and reach an even broader community, especially through technology and the computer lab, making it more functional for those who are not part of a school that has that available.”

Dining in the Dark costs $50 per person and is set for Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase in Washington at the Blind Center, Precision Eye Care, Stewart’s Jewelry Store and the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce, as well as Robinson Jewelers in Greenville.

For more information, contact Liz Liles at 252-946-6208.