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SCRANTON — Judy Pronko, of Clarks Summit, first became involved with the Lackawanna Blind Association about 19 years ago as a tribute to her father, who had myasthenia, which affected his eyesight. She started volunteering as a reader for the Pell Radio program, reading local newspapers and other literature on the air for those who can’t see to read for themselves.
Then about eight years ago, she became a board member and is currently chair of the board until 2016. She is also a six-year chair of the Friends of the Blind’s Annual Helen Keller Day Fashion Show.
“And she’s wonderful at it,” said Mary Claire Boylan, of Justice, committee member for the event and social work coordinator for the association.
She also said Executive Director Mary Lou Wascavich is “the backbone of the agency.”
“She’s such a great director and she’s so good with her organization skills with the fashion show,” Boylan said of Wascavich.
The 86th annual event, which is the major fundraiser of the year for the association, is scheduled for Sunday, March 29 at St. Mary’s Center, 320 Mifflin Ave., Scranton. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children ages 10 and younger. Reservations are required by March 19 and can be made by calling 570-342-7613.
Local volunteers of all ages will model fashions provided by Small Fryes, Tunis Bridal, Joseph A. Banks, Christopher & Banks and Old Navy. Tom and Noreen Clark will serve as emcees and entertainment will be provided by Edwin Valez, Picture Perfect DJ, and Ron Leas, Big Band.
The event attracts between 300 and 400 guests each year, and also features a catered lunch, cash bar, bake sale, vendors, raffles, prizes and more.
“The atmosphere is great,” Boylan said. “It’s happy, it’s a light atmosphere, because everybody’s there to enjoy themselves.”
Both Pronko and Boylan said the best aspect of the event is the fact that it helps fund the association’s many programs and services to its clients who are blind. And, the best aspect of being involved in the association is getting to know the clients.
“For a sighted person, they humble you so much, and you learn so much about them,” Pronko said. “Someone who is born without their sight is usually very upbeat, so accepting of things.”
Boylan added it is often much more difficult for someone to adjust who is born with his or her sight but loses it.
“To someone born without sight, or someone born with low vision, to them it’s a way of life,” she said, speaking not just from a professional perspective, but as a parent with a son who is legally blind. “But when you’re older, and you lose your sight, along with the vision being gone, you also have to deal with depression, coping skills, anxiety, fear, ‘how am I going to survive, how am I going to do this, how am I going to do that?’ And our goal is to help them maintain their independence.”
The organization offers a variety of programs and services, free of charge, to its clients, ages 18 and up, in Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties — everything from shopping assistance, to support groups, to check writing and mail review. It also conducts screenings at pre-schools, senior centers, health fairs and other locations.
More information about the association can be found online at lackawannablind.org or by calling 570-342-7613.