2025-06-20T08:02:03-04:00 2024-09-30 320394930 STROEMER & COMPANY 14030 METROPOLIS AVE STE 200 FORT MYERS FL 33912 990 2023-10-01 591665257 LIGHTHOUSE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC LIGH 2399977797 35 WEST MARIANA AVE NORTH FORT MYERS FL 33903 AMY PRICE CEO 2399977797 2025-05-29 false MARC WHITFIELD CPA P00125986 2394331002 2025-06-19 2023 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z AMY PRICE 35 WEST MARIANA AVENUE NORTH FORT MYERS FL 33903 1251141 false X WWW.LIGHTHOUSESWFL.ORG X 1974 FL A NON PROFIT REHABILITATION CENTER COMMITTED TO ENSURING BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS HAVE THE TOOLS, SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES NECESSARY TO SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVE THEIR DESIRED LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE. 10 10 18 20 0 1129279 1166519 5094 9295 14517 12263 48979 59009 1197869 1247086 0 0 822507 871817 0 8300 483439 474835 1305946 1346652 -108077 -99566 1566842 1615092 141144 89002 1425698 1526090 X A NON PROFIT REHABILITATION CENTER COMMITTED TO ENSURING BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS HAVE THE TOOLS, SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES NECESSARY TO SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVE THEIR DESIRED LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE. false false 489591 9295 INDEPENDENT LIVING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: TRAINING ON COMPUTERS/TABLETS/SMARTPHONES TO ASSIST WITH DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES. ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING: COOK, CLEAN, SEW, COUNT, ORGANIZE MONEY, ETC TRAINING ON LOW VISION AIDES: BOTH OPTICAL AND NON-OPTICAL DEVICES, SUCH AS HAND-HELD MAGNIFIERS, SOLAR SHIELDS AND LIGHTING SOLUTIONS. SUPPORT GROUPS: ADJUSTING TO BLINDNESS AND LIVING WITH BLINDNESS GROUPS. PROPER USE OF A WHITE CANE WITH OUR CERTIFIED ORIENTATION & MOBILITY SPECIALIST. LEISURE ACTIVITIES: LEARNING SOCIAL SKILLS AND INCREASING CONFIDENCE IN ASKING FOR AND UTILIZING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS. 352826 BLIND BABIES AND CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMMING TO ASSIST FAMILIES PREPARE THEIR CHILDREN TO ACCESS THE VISUAL WORLD IN A NON-VISUAL MANNER. PARENT EDUCATION GROUPS TO SHARE PERTINENT INFORMATION AND RESOURCES WITH PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS OF OUR CHILDREN WITH LOW VISION AND BLINDNESS. AFTER SCHOOL MEETINGS & TECHNOLOGY TRAINING TO PRACTICE SPECIFIC SKILLS. PROPER USE OF A WHITE CANE WITH OUR CERTIFIED ORIENTATION & MOBILITY SPECIALIST. SUMMER CAMPS FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K-8 TO CONTINUE LEARNING. 166184 VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR ADULT CLIENTS LOOKING TO MAINTAIN OR OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT. 269303 PUBLIC RELATIONS LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL, IN ITS 50TH YEAR OF PROVIDING SERVICES, ENGAGES IN A ROBUST OUTREACH AND PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES COLLABORATION WITH NEW AND EXISTING COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO INCREASE CROSS-REFERRALS AND GENERAL AWARENESS TO THE COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE, AND LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS, ABOUT VISION LOSS AND SERVICES OFFERED BY LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL. ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, WE REACH OUR COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS: PRESS RELEASES: THESE ARE SENT TO LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS, BOTH PRINT AND BROADCAST, AS PROGRAMS ARE ADDED OR CHANGED, OR AS AN EVENT NECESSITATES CREATION AND DISSEMINATION. A STRONG RELATIONSHIP HAS ALSO BEEN BUILT WITH FLORIDA WEEKLY AS THEY HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT EVENT SPONSORS AND HAVE HELPED LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL BY PRINTING OUR PRESS RELEASES AND EVENT PHOTOS. WE HAVE ALSO BUILT A SOLID RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BREEZE NEWSPAPER GROUP WHICH PUBLISHES WEEKLIES IN FIVE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COMMUNITIES. OVER THE PAST YEAR, THEY HAVE TWICE FEATURED LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL ON THE COVER OF THEIR N. FT. MYERS NEIGHBOR PUBLICATION, WITH AN EXTENSIVE FEATURE ARTICLE AND PHOTOS INCLUDED IN EACH. NEWSLETTERS: LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL UTILIZES ELECTRONIC AND PRINT NEWSLETTERS TO REACH OUR CLIENTS, FUNDERS, DONORS AND COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE, BOTH OF WHICH ARE CREATED IN-HOUSE. OUR ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER, CREATED THROUGH CONSTANT CONTACT, IS SENT WEEKLY TO NEARLY 900 SUBSCRIBERS. OUR EIGHT-PAGE PRINTED ENLIGHTENED NEWSLETTER IS WRITTEN, EDITED AND DESIGNED IN-HOUSE, PROFESSIONALLY PRINTED AND MAILED QUARTERLY TO MORE THAN 1,600 SUPPORTERS. COMMUNITY AWARENESS EVENTS: EACH OCTOBER 15TH, LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL ORGANIZES A FREE WHITE CANE DAY EVENT TO BRING AWARENESS TO THOSE LOW VISION AND BLIND INDIVIDUALS UTILIZING WHITE CANES FOR MOBILITY. IN ADDITION TO INFORMATIONAL DISPLAYS AND PRESENTATIONS FROM ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, LEE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN AND VETERAN SERVICES, LEE TRAN, FLORIDA DIVISION OF BLIND SERVICES, SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND, EVENT ATTENDEES ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE BLINDFOLDED AND UTILIZE A WHITE CANE TO BE LED SAFELY AROUND BY OUR CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS. THIS EVENT IS HELD TO BRING ATTENTION TO NOT ONLY THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE LOW VISION OR BLINDNESS, BUT TO THE WHITE CANE LAW. THE LAW STATES THAT WHEN A PEDESTRIAN IS CROSSING, OR ATTEMPTING TO CROSS, A PUBLIC STREET OR HIGHWAY, GUIDED BY A DOG GUIDE OR CARRYING IN A RAISED OR EXTENDED POSITION A CANE OR WALKING STICK WHICH IS WHITE IN COLOR OR WHITE TIPPED WITH RED, THE DRIVER OF EVERY VEHICLE APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION OR PLACE WHERE THE PEDESTRIAN IS ATTEMPTING TO CROSS SHALL BRING HIS OR HER VEHICLE TO A FULL STOP BEFORE ARRIVING AT SUCH INTERSECTION OR PLACE OF CROSSING AND, BEFORE PROCEEDING, SHALL TAKE SUCH PRECAUTIONS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO AVOID INJURING THE PEDESTRIAN. A WHITE CANE IS AN IMPORTANT MOBILITY TOOL FOR PEOPLE WITH LOW VISION OR BLINDNESS AND IS A SYMBOL OF THEIR INDEPENDENCE. HEALTH FAIRS & PRESENTATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY: THE LEADERSHIP TEAM OF LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL ROUTINELY CONDUCTS PRESENTATIONS AND SPEAKS WITH KEY REFERRAL SOURCES, SUCH AS OPHTHALMOLOGISTS, OPTOMETRISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ARENA IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. THIS PAST YEAR, LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL HAS PARTICIPATED IN HEALTH FAIRS AT AMAVIDA RESORT RETIREMENT COMMUNITY, CYPRESS COVE, THE PALMS RETIREMENT COMMUNITY, DEL TURA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, THE NORTH FORT MYERS RECREATION CENTER, HERITAGE PALMS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, PELICAN PRESERVE, AND AN AWARENESS EVENT HELD BY THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND. EACH YEAR, WE ARE ALSO ASKED TO BE PRESENT AT THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION EDUCATIONAL RETREAT ATTENDED BY ALL OUR AREA'S OPTOMETRIC PROFESSIONALS. HERE, WE PROVIDE INFORMATION ON OUR SERVICES FOR THOSE WITH LOW VISION AND BLINDNESS TO LOCAL OPTOMETRISTS, AS WELL AS HOW THEY CAN REFER PATIENTS FOR SERVICES AT LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL. SOCIAL MEDIA: FACEBOOK AND LINKEDIN ARE THE AGENCY'S PREFERRED SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS. PHOTOS, STORIES AND OTHER INFORMATION ARE POSTED TO THESE SITES TWO TO THREE TIMES PER WEEK. LUNCH AND LEARN EVENTS: THESE EVENTS ARE FREE AND HELD IN THE PRICE ROOM WITHIN OUR BUILDING TO BRING TOGETHER LOW VISION AND BLIND CLIENTS OF ALL AGES AND WALKS OF LIFE TO LEARN ABOUT A SPECIFIC SUBJECT THAT WOULD PERTAIN TO THEM OR ABOUT A SERVICE THAT MAY BE HELPFUL. AS AN EXAMPLE, A RECENT LUNCH AND LEARN WAS OFFERED FOR OUR CLIENTS TO LEARN ABOUT THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY ACCESSIBLE PHARMACY, A COMPREHENSIVE, HOME DELIVERY PHARMACY SERVICE SPECIALIZING IN THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION. WE ALSO HELD A LUNCH AND LEARN TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT LOW VISION DEVICES AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE TO OUR CLIENTS. AT THIS EVENT, CLIENTS WERE ALSO AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY OUT VARIOUS DEVICES THAT MAY SUIT THEIR NEEDS. BRANDED FLEET OF VEHICLES: LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE A FLEET OF EIGHT VEHICLES, THANKS TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, THAT ARE USED TO TRANSPORT CLIENTS TO AND FROM OUR OFFICE FOR VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES, AS WELL AS TO TRANSPORT OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO CLIENTS IN THEIR HOMES, DAYCARES OR SCHOOLS IN HENDRY AND GLADES COUNTIES. ALL OF OUR VEHICLES ARE BRANDED WITH THE LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL LOGO AND PHONE NUMBERS ON LARGE MAGNETS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. FUNDRAISING EVENTS: EACH YEAR, LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL HOSTS AT LEAST ONE FUNDRAISING EVENT. OTHER TRANSITION - FOR LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL TEENS, PROGRAMS INCLUDE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY OUTINGS, SUMMER CAMPS AND TEACHING ADVOCACY TO INCREASE ONE'S-SELF CONFIDENCE IN ASKING FOR AND UTILIZING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS. TRANSPORTATION - FLEET OF 8 VEHICLES COMPRISED OF VANS AND CARS FUNDED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (FDOT). ALLOWS LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL TO INITIALLY HELP OUR CLIENTS BY GETTING THEM TO OUR OFFICE FOR SERVICES OR FOR OUR STAFF TO GO OUT IN THE COMMUNITY TO THEM. 269303 1277904 true true false false false false false false false false true false false false false true true false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 5 0 false 18 true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false X 10 10 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true false false X X X ANISSA BARKSDALE 2399977797 35 W MARIANA AVENUE FORT MYERS FL 33903 DOTTY ST AMAND CEO 40.00 X 93104 0 26228 ANISSA BARKSDALE CFO 40.00 X 86760 0 4338 KATHY CARTER CEO 40.00 X 12178 0 0 KATHY BRIDGE-LILES DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL CICCARELLO DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 GWYNETTA GITTENS VICE PRESIDE 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JORDAN JACOBSON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ARMANDO LLECHU DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 PATRICIA O'DONNELL TREASURER/SE 1.00 X X 0 0 0 KATHLEEN SMILEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JILL TURNER PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 CHANTALE WILLIAMS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 AMY PRICE CEO 40.00 X 0 0 0 192042 30566 false false false 160387 17814 826419 161899 15416 1166519 PROGRAM FEES 9295 9295 9295 12263 12263 4800 17814 4055 745 745 MISCELLANEOUS 32868 32868 HURRICANE IAN 24848 24848 WC REFUND 334 334 214 214 58264 1247086 67559 13008 183005 176113 6892 544763 524247 20516 31289 30111 1178 57695 55522 2173 55065 52991 2074 1067 1067 104613 103638 975 23145 20550 2595 20172 19790 382 84988 65841 19147 1840 1497 343 51855 50994 861 90194 88034 2160 PROGRAM EXPENSES 56781 56696 85 DEVELOPMENT 17398 17398 ADAPTIVE AIDS 14482 14482 FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 8300 8300 1346652 1277904 60448 8300 351963 106908 9900 25848 52166 194894 16180 20399 49595 59267 1271461 951514 278490 319947 808548 887829 1566842 1615092 128268 89002 12876 141144 89002 X 1163743 1285325 261955 240765 1425698 1526090 1566842 1615092 -99566 199958 X false true X true false X 988095 1496193 1107125 1129279 1166519 5887211 988095 1496193 1107125 1129279 1166519 5887211 5887211 16631 17258 18160 16815 12263 81127 21444 85618 2079 109141 6077479 129058 0.96870 0.95890 X PART II, LINE 10 109,141 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 68462 68462 743882 573135 170747 239209 X 1476193 199958 30216 230174 1246019 1067 1067 1247086 1375801 30216 30216 1345585 1067 1067 1346652 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 3, PART X THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE HAS DETERMINED THAT THE ORGANIZATION IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. THE ORGANIZATION IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT FLORIDA CORPORATION AND THEREFORE IS NOT SUBJECT TO STATE INCOME TAXES. THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE PROVIDES FOR TAXATION OF UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ORGANIZATION REPORTS NO UNRELATED BUSINESS TAXABLE INCOME; HOWEVER, SUCH STATUS IS SUBJECT TO FINAL DETERMINATION UPON EXAMINATION OF THE RELATED TAX RETURNS BY THE APPROPRIATE TAXING AUTHORITIES. THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX FILINGS ARE SUBJECT TO AUDIT BY VARIOUS TAXING AUTHORITIES. CERTAIN INCOME TAX RETURNS RETURNS FILED BY THE ORGANIZATION REMAIN OPEN TO EXAMINATION BY THESE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. THE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD HAS ISSUED GUIDANCE ON ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAX POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE ADJUSTMENT TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GUIDANCE. INTEREST AND PENALTIES ASSOCIATED WITH UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS WILL BE RECOGNIZED IN INCOME TAX EXPENSE, IF REQUIRED. UNDER THE BANYA 22614 17814 4800 311 1000 2744 22614 17814 4800 311 1000 2744 4055 745 FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4D PUBLIC RELATIONS LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL, IN ITS 50TH YEAR OF PROVIDING SERVICES, ENGAGES IN A ROBUST OUTREACH AND PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES COLLABORATION WITH NEW AND EXISTING COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO INCREASE CROSS-REFERRALS AND GENERAL AWARENESS TO THE COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE, AND LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS, ABOUT VISION LOSS AND SERVICES OFFERED BY LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL. ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, WE REACH OUR COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS: PRESS RELEASES: THESE ARE SENT TO LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS, BOTH PRINT AND BROADCAST, AS PROGRAMS ARE ADDED OR CHANGED, OR AS AN EVENT NECESSITATES CREATION AND DISSEMINATION. A STRONG RELATIONSHIP HAS ALSO BEEN BUILT WITH FLORIDA WEEKLY AS THEY HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT EVENT SPONSORS AND HAVE HELPED LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL BY PRINTING OUR PRESS RELEASES AND EVENT PHOTOS. WE HAVE ALSO BUILT A SOLID RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BREEZE NEWSPAPER GROUP WHICH PUBLISHES WEEKLIES IN FIVE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COMMUNITIES. OVER THE PAST YEAR, THEY HAVE TWICE FEATURED LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL ON THE COVER OF THEIR N. FT. MYERS NEIGHBOR PUBLICATION, WITH AN EXTENSIVE FEATURE ARTICLE AND PHOTOS INCLUDED IN EACH. NEWSLETTERS: LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL UTILIZES ELECTRONIC AND PRINT NEWSLETTERS TO REACH OUR CLIENTS, FUNDERS, DONORS AND COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE, BOTH OF WHICH ARE CREATED IN-HOUSE. OUR ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER, CREATED THROUGH CONSTANT CONTACT, IS SENT WEEKLY TO NEARLY 900 SUBSCRIBERS. OUR EIGHT-PAGE PRINTED ENLIGHTENED NEWSLETTER IS WRITTEN, EDITED AND DESIGNED IN-HOUSE, PROFESSIONALLY PRINTED AND MAILED QUARTERLY TO MORE THAN 1,600 SUPPORTERS. COMMUNITY AWARENESS EVENTS: EACH OCTOBER 15TH, LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL ORGANIZES A FREE WHITE CANE DAY EVENT TO BRING AWARENESS TO THOSE LOW VISION AND BLIND INDIVIDUALS UTILIZING WHITE CANES FOR MOBILITY. IN ADDITION TO INFORMATIONAL DISPLAYS AND PRESENTATIONS FROM ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, LEE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN AND VETERAN SERVICES, LEE TRAN, FLORIDA DIVISION OF BLIND SERVICES, SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND, EVENT ATTENDEES ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE BLINDFOLDED AND UTILIZE A WHITE CANE TO BE LED SAFELY AROUND BY OUR CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS. THIS EVENT IS HELD TO BRING ATTENTION TO NOT ONLY THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE LOW VISION OR BLINDNESS, BUT TO THE WHITE CANE LAW. THE LAW STATES THAT WHEN A PEDESTRIAN IS CROSSING, OR ATTEMPTING TO CROSS, A PUBLIC STREET OR HIGHWAY, GUIDED BY A DOG GUIDE OR CARRYING IN A RAISED OR EXTENDED POSITION A CANE OR WALKING STICK WHICH IS WHITE IN COLOR OR WHITE TIPPED WITH RED, THE DRIVER OF EVERY VEHICLE APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION OR PLACE WHERE THE PEDESTRIAN IS ATTEMPTING TO CROSS SHALL BRING HIS OR HER VEHICLE TO A FULL STOP BEFORE ARRIVING AT SUCH INTERSECTION OR PLACE OF CROSSING AND, BEFORE PROCEEDING, SHALL TAKE SUCH PRECAUTIONS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO AVOID INJURING THE PEDESTRIAN. A WHITE CANE IS AN IMPORTANT MOBILITY TOOL FOR PEOPLE WITH LOW VISION OR BLINDNESS AND IS A SYMBOL OF THEIR INDEPENDENCE. HEALTH FAIRS & PRESENTATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY: THE LEADERSHIP TEAM OF LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL ROUTINELY CONDUCTS PRESENTATIONS AND SPEAKS WITH KEY REFERRAL SOURCES, SUCH AS OPHTHALMOLOGISTS, OPTOMETRISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ARENA IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. THIS PAST YEAR, LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL HAS PARTICIPATED IN HEALTH FAIRS AT AMAVIDA RESORT RETIREMENT COMMUNITY, CYPRESS COVE, THE PALMS RETIREMENT COMMUNITY, DEL TURA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, THE NORTH FORT MYERS RECREATION CENTER, HERITAGE PALMS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, PELICAN PRESERVE, AND AN AWARENESS EVENT HELD BY THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND. EACH YEAR, WE ARE ALSO ASKED TO BE PRESENT AT THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION EDUCATIONAL RETREAT ATTENDED BY ALL OUR AREA'S OPTOMETRIC PROFESSIONALS. HERE, WE PROVIDE INFORMATION ON OUR SERVICES FOR THOSE WITH LOW VISION AND BLINDNESS TO LOCAL OPTOMETRISTS, AS WELL AS HOW THEY CAN REFER PATIENTS FOR SERVICES AT LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL. SOCIAL MEDIA: FACEBOOK AND LINKEDIN ARE THE AGENCY'S PREFERRED SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS. PHOTOS, STORIES AND OTHER INFORMATION ARE POSTED TO THESE SITES TWO TO THREE TIMES PER WEEK. LUNCH AND LEARN EVENTS: THESE EVENTS ARE FREE AND HELD IN THE PRICE ROOM WITHIN OUR BUILDING TO BRING TOGETHER LOW VISION AND BLIND CLIENTS OF ALL AGES AND WALKS OF LIFE TO LEARN ABOUT A SPECIFIC SUBJECT THAT WOULD PERTAIN TO THEM OR ABOUT A SERVICE THAT MAY BE HELPFUL. AS AN EXAMPLE, A RECENT LUNCH AND LEARN WAS OFFERED FOR OUR CLIENTS TO LEARN ABOUT THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY ACCESSIBLE PHARMACY, A COMPREHENSIVE, HOME DELIVERY PHARMACY SERVICE SPECIALIZING IN THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION. WE ALSO HELD A LUNCH AND LEARN TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT LOW VISION DEVICES AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE TO OUR CLIENTS. AT THIS EVENT, CLIENTS WERE ALSO AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY OUT VARIOUS DEVICES THAT MAY SUIT THEIR NEEDS. BRANDED FLEET OF VEHICLES: LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE A FLEET OF EIGHT VEHICLES, THANKS TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, THAT ARE USED TO TRANSPORT CLIENTS TO AND FROM OUR OFFICE FOR VISION REHABILITATION SERVICES, AS WELL AS TO TRANSPORT OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO CLIENTS IN THEIR HOMES, DAYCARES OR SCHOOLS IN HENDRY AND GLADES COUNTIES. ALL OF OUR VEHICLES ARE BRANDED WITH THE LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL LOGO AND PHONE NUMBERS ON LARGE MAGNETS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. FUNDRAISING EVENTS: EACH YEAR, LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL HOSTS AT LEAST ONE FUNDRAISING EVENT. OTHER TRANSITION - FOR LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL TEENS, PROGRAMS INCLUDE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY OUTINGS, SUMMER CAMPS AND TEACHING ADVOCACY TO INCREASE ONE'S-SELF CONFIDENCE IN ASKING FOR AND UTILIZING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS. TRANSPORTATION - FLEET OF 8 VEHICLES COMPRISED OF VANS AND CARS FUNDED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (FDOT). ALLOWS LIGHTHOUSE OF SWFL TO INITIALLY HELP OUR CLIENTS BY GETTING THEM TO OUR OFFICE FOR SERVICES OR FOR OUR STAFF TO GO OUT IN THE COMMUNITY TO THEM. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE BOARD REVIEWS A DRAFT OF THE TAX RETURN FOR ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS PRIOR TO SIGNING AND FILING. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C BOARD MEMBERS REVIEW AND SIGN CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT ANNUALLY. IF ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ARE IDENTIFIED THEY ARE DOCUMENTED IN THE BOARD MEETING MINUTES. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION IS REVIEWED ANNUALLY BY THE BOARD. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 ALL GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, POLICIES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST.