Giants’ Manning, Guiding Eyes Team Up to Promote Golf Classic
By Isabella Fitzgerald
Emilie Gossiaux was an aspiring artist from New Orleans who arrived in New York City to attend Cooper Union School of Art.
Her love for sculpting and visual arts stemmed from having impaired hearing while growing up.
Then in October 2010, an 18-wheeler semi-truck struck Gossiaux while she rode her bicycle in the city, leaving her with numerous injuries and completely blind from head trauma.
With the help of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, the Yorktown-based organization that trains guide dogs to team up with visually impaired individuals, Gossiaux was paired with London, a yellow Lab, who is specially trained to help someone without vision and hearing. Gossiaux was able to return to school to finish her degree and now works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Last Monday, Gossiaux was joined by New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and Guiding Eyes for the Blind staff and puppies for its Spring Tee-Off at Mulino’s of Westchester in White Plains.
The event helped publicize the 38th Annual Golf Classic at the Mount Kisco Country Club and Fairview Country Club in Greenwich, Conn. on June 7 and 8. The party also recognized the sponsors who are crucial in helping the organization thrive. Guiding Eyes CEO and President Thomas Panek appeared with his guide dog, Gus, to thank sponsors.
The Golf Classic, founded in 1977 by retired golfer and golf broadcaster Ken Venturi, is Guiding Eyes’ largest annual fundraiser. Since its inception, the two-day event has raised more than $10 million for breeding and training Labrador Retrievers to be guide dogs for the blind as well as for children with autism.
Sponsor support is crucial since each person and dog team trained free of charge, requiring Guiding Eyes to rely on donations, fundraisers and sponsors. Funds have also been needed to renovate the Canine Development Center in Patterson, Putnam County, where the puppies are born. The current renovation project is expected to be completed by September.
Manning, who is returning this year to host the Golf Classic for the ninth year, was accompanied at last Monday’s event by Otis, a Guiding Eyes Golden Retriever puppy.
Before answering questions about “Deflategate” and other football matters, the two-time Super Bowl MVP spoke about his involvement with Guiding Eyes.
Manning had heard about the Golf Classic from a friend in his native New Orleans and was asked to participate. Since then, he said he has been inspired by the organization’s work and has returned annually.
Each year, he tees off blindfolded to simulate what would be like to be without sight. Manning also visited the Canine Development Center in January with his wife and two daughters, and has been drawn to Guiding Eyes since he learned about
“It’s rewarding to hear from the families,” Manning said.
The nonprofit and internationally accredited organization was founded in 1954. Since its creation, Guiding Eyes has provided more than 7,000 dogs to those in need, and currently has over 1,000 active guide dogs. The dogs serve individuals throughout the United States and six Guiding Eyes graduates in Hong Kong.
For more information about Guiding Eyes for the Blind, the Golf Classic or how to donate, visit www.guidingeyes.org.
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