By Kate Bartlett
Saturday, July 19th, marks the second annual See-Breeze Tea fundraiser for the Chautauqua Blind Association (CBA) and Foundation Fighting Blindness. The afternoon includes 2 seatings at 11am and 2pm at The Annex 25 in Westfield with fully catered tea luncheon and giveaways ensuring fun for all.
Beth Powers, founder and director of the event, had a vison of this event about 2 years ago, and is thankful for the team and community support that has made it successful. Beth and her family have personally received support from the CBA, and wanted to give back to this incredible organization. “The CBA has supported my family and I for many years,” says Beth. “From teaching me to walk with a cane, assisting with access to local vision doctors, providing tools and resources in the community and personally coming into my home to help make it more accessible, the CBA has been an incredible asset.”
Street in Westfi eld, NY by owner Julie Kleven, who
also suffers from blindness.
See-Breeze will be fully catered by WanderLust in Westfield with an array of teatime favorites including sandwiches, scones, and other treats and delights. Beverages will include tea, of course, and a bartender will be mixing up specialty cocktails. Surprise giveaways will take place throughout the event donated by generous establishments in the community. Beth will also be holding a surprise giveaway to anyone wearing a tea-hat, encouraging everyone to come in their tea-time best.
It’s inaugural event last year, See-Breeze was an incredible success, selling out both seatings, raising a substantial amount for charity. “We are so thankful for the community support,” says Beth. “Everyone had a great time last year; the energy was incredible. It was great gathering together for a good cause. We couldn’t wait to get started planning this year, and are looking forward to another fun afternoon.”
Beth was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa several years ago after discovering a family gene. As an inherited and genetic retina disease, it is passed on through generations, with many family members carrying the same gene. Beth was diagnosed after her nephew was identified with the disease in 1987. Four members of Beth’s family have been diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa: herself, her nephew and her daughter amongst the list. “It effects each of us differently,” says Beth. “It effects by peripheral vision, so it’s like I’m looking through pinholes. My daughter is blind in one eye, and my nephew cannot see peripherally, only centrally.” The disease is somewhat degenerative, but researchers are aggressively seeing a cure. “I do all I can to raise awareness to this disease, and just pray everyday that I keep my sight. I don’t want the lights to go out completely.”
Funds from the event will be split between the Chautauqua Blindless Association and the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Founded in 1970, the CBA provides assistance and training to the visually impaired as well as youth and child vision screening to assist in diagnosing and treating eye conditions in young children. The CBA strives to support, educate and enhance the lives of those struggling with vision impairment and loss.
Beth has been involved in the Miami chapter of the Foundation Fighting Blindless for several years, as she spends 6 months of the year in Florida. Her bother, Colin, is Vice President of the Arizona chapter. For over 50 years, the Foundation Fighting Blindness has been the pioneer in innovative retinal disease research. Through generous donations and diligent research, the foundation believes that within 10 years, they will have developed therapies to cure inherited retinal disease.
For more information about the event visit annex25.com and to learn more about Retinitis Pigmentosa, The Foundation Fighting Blindness and CBA visit cbavsision.org and foundationfightingblindness.org. The event at The Annex is sold out for 2025, but follow on social media for updates on other fundraisers and next years event.