Paradise Lions Club member Heather Valudes is involved in an effort to help people understand different levels of vision impairment. "It's easier to simulate having no vision," Valudes pointed out, "but it's hard to simulate these conditions that degenerate vision and what is the impact of that and how you move through the world with that," she said.

The Paradise Lions Club's sixth Dinner in the Dark aims to teach attendees about the subject by giving diners a unique opportunity to eat a meal with limited or no vision. This year's dinner will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 6 p.m. at White Chimneys, 5117 Lincoln Highway, Gap. In addition to the meal, there will be presentations by VisionCorps, which will benefit from the dinner. A silent auction, which will feature up to 35 items, will be held during the reception.

"A representative from VisionCorps will give an overview of their work," said Valudes, who noted that part of that presentation will include education about vision loss. "(A VisionCorps representative will discuss) how different vision impairment issues impact people in their daily lives," she said.

Each table will include implements diners can choose from to experience changes in vision. "We have blindfolds for anyone who wants to go for a fully dark experience," Valudes said, adding that modified safety glasses will simulate a few different types of impairments such as macular degeneration. "(The dining experience provides) a better understanding of vision losses," Valudes explained. "One simulates a very small field of vision and how that impacts (performing) daily tasks, eating, and moving through space." She noted that VisionCorps will provide basics for staging a dinner by asking diners to envision the plate as a clock, putting meat at 12 o'clock, a vegetable at 3, and potatoes at 6. "But then, how do you use your knife and fork and make sure your water is out of the way so it won't be knocked over?" asked Valudes.

On the menu for the event will be baked chicken, roast beef and gravy, red skin potatoes, baby carrots, string beans, rolls and butter, and a tossed salad. Dessert will feature pumpkin and apple pies and chocolate cake. Beverages, which will be lemonade, coffee, beer, and wine, will all be included in the ticket.

Silent auction items may include sports memorabilia, trips to water parks, overnight stays, and home goods. "One year, I won a backstage tour at WGAL, and we usually have Thirty-One Bags items," said Valudes. Themed basket prizes will feature a chocolate basket, a fall decor basket, and a carpet cleaning kit donated by a local business. Valudes noted that local merchants often donate items connected to their businesses.

More than 60 area residents attended the 2022 dinner, which raised more than $3,000 for VisionCorps. Valudes said the Lions Club would like to see that increase. "We want to continue to grow it," she said. "We want the community to have an understanding, but we welcome sponsors and donations, which will go to VisionCorps for their services to the blind and vision impaired."

Individuals wishing to purchase tickets or sponsor a table are encouraged to do so before Friday, Oct. 27, by calling 717-826-2935 or 717-278-5482.