GREAT JOB SANTA BARBARA!

The sun may not have peeked out on Saturday but the VisionWalkers and energy did!  Over 230 walkers came out and supported the 3rd Annual Santa Barbara VisionWalk.

We had 15 fantastic teams participate in this year's VisionWalk to help the Foundation Fighting Blindness raise over $24,000 (and counting) for critical retinal degenerative disease research.  If you have any checks that you forgot to bring to the walk or that you  received since Saturday, please send them to:

Foundation Fighting Blindness
Attn:  Santa Barbara VisionWalk
2800 28th Street, Suite 310
Santa Monica, CA  90405

CONGRATULATIONS to our Top 5 Fundraising teams:
1.  Eye & Vision Care - $5,704
2.  Looking Out for Lily - $4,820
3.  Meghan's Posse - $2,290
4.  Vision Quest - $1,850
5.  Wii Rock - $1,311

And congratulations to our "T-Shirt" contest winner - Jess' California Crew.  Meghan's Posse gave them a run for the title though. 

There are many people to thank for helping to make this a great Walk.

First, thank you to our Sponsors who help drive the reserach with their support:  Eye and Vision Care of Santa Barbara, California Retina Consultants of Santa Barbara, Bouchon Restaurant, and Empire Optical.

Second, thank you to our In-Kind donors who through their generous donation of food and their time help us to make sure that as much money as possible goes to research:  Caribbean Coffee, D'Angelos Bread and Bakery, Jack's Famous Bagels, MarBorg Industries, Ralphs, Starr Market, Trader Joe's, Westridge Market, WholeFoods, and The Joshua Project for joining us in support of the community and sharing their mission with all of us. 

A Santa Barbara VisionWalk wouldn't be a VisionWalk without the wonderful post food that was prepared for your enjoyment by the Lions Club International.  In particular thank you to the Carpenteria, Ojai, Goleta, and Santa Barbara Lions Clubs for all of their support.

The amazing balloon arch was provided by Balloons by Chris.  The beautiful photos were provided by Vince Agapito.  The wonderful music was provided by Rob Malank.  Thank you for donating your personal time to make this day great! 

And, of course, thank you to all of our Volunteers who came early to help set up and left late to help tear down.  You are our life blood on Walk day!

Congratulations to our 2013 All-Star Class:
Marc Brody of Wii Rock
Meghan Downing of Meghan's Posse
Mel Rabina of Vision Quest
Gordy Silverman of Jess' California Crew
Angelique Springer of Fight Blindness
Joe Vega of Eye and Vision Care
Lily Wash of Lookin Out for Lily

This Walk could not have happened without some very special people.  Thank you KC & Rhonda Wash and Joe Vega for taking up the lead as this year's Co-Chairs.  Thank you Pearl Francis for helping to lead the way as part of the Walk team.  Your dedication inspire us - THANK YOU!

THANK YOU to all of you!  Team Captains, Walkers, Supporters!  You made this day possible!

Remember...(shout it out) A CURE IS IN SIGHT!