TYLER, Texas — On Friday morning, the East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind will host White Cane Day just two days earlier than its national recognition.
Craig Ellis, community relations administrator for the nonprofit, said this event is special because the use of a white cane symbolizes so much more.
"When I see somebody with a white cane, I see independence, productivity, and all those kinds of things combined," Ellis said. "All positive things. Our group as a whole, we are all hands-on deck for Friday and it's really turned into a big event."
This is the first time the organization is hosting White Cane Day as a public event at Bergfeld Park, as they are encouraging everyone to come meet their neighbors with visual impairments. They will also have games, vendors, food trucks and much more.
Alicia Lansford, chief missions officer for East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind, said the event is also a source for families to find resources for their loved ones or even friends.
"There's a ton of representation in terms of resources," Lansford said. "People will have the opportunity to look, feel and use a white cane. They're going to have an opportunity to actually put a blindfold on and make a tactile craft following instructions."
Lansford said she does not have visual impairments but noticed how working and setting up events for this organization for several years now has touched her heart dearly. She said it's inspiring to see someone walk through their doors with a negative attitude after being given a diagnosis of their visual impairments and turn it around.
"Then they walk in our doors and they meet people like Craig Ellis and meet people who are living their life independently, and they (start) going to community events and doing independent marches," Lansford said.
Starting at 1 p.m., organizers will start their walk of independence and lead their way around the park with their white canes.
"The white cane really represents all positive things and that a person has their stuff together and they're living their life to the fullest," Ellis said.
White Cane Day is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. this Friday at Bergfeld Park. Parking will be limited, so the nonprofit is partnering with the city of Tyler to have a shuttle bus travel back and forth from the downtown parking garage as an alternative to help ease any congestion.
This is an outdoor event and visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair if they plan to hang around for awhile.
Shirts will also be offered for a $10 donation from adults or a $5 donation from children.