Locals to tread and float to benefit White Cane cause
A local “float-a-thon” will be held Thursday, Oct. 28, at the North Fort Myers Community pool to benefit a visually impaired persons cause.
“You can sponsor a swimmer for a penny a minute,” said organizer Doreen King, who is visually impaired herself.
She has been coaching local resident Wilma Peterson, a double amputee, who has volunteered to float for donations to benefit White Cane Day.
White Cane Day supports The White Cane Act, which, by law, gives visually impaired individuals the right-of-way crossing any street with a white cane. “Most don’t know the law about right-of-way to those with white canes,” said King.
King has been doing a “tread-a-thon” herself for the last several years, raising funds penny by penny for how long she could tread water. Now she will be joined by Peterson.
“We are putting out a challenge to any visually impaired or disabled individual or agency to join us for the event, and for everyone to pledge those pennies,” King said.
Christie Davis, aquatics specialist for Lee County and the pool, is helping to organize the event.
She said pool officials are looking forward to the event.
“We’re glad we have this facility and the means to host this, especially with the lift, which is used daily,” Davis said.
The lift is a special apparatus that allows those with special needs to get into the pool. Peterson uses it in her training.
“I hadn’t been swimming in five years, since I lost my legs,” she said. “I’m really enjoying swimming again.”
While the event is later in October, the official date of White Cane Day is Friday, Oct. 15, when several activities will take place throughout the county, sponsored by the Southwest Florida Council For The Blind.
Last year, local residents took to the busy intersection of Bayshore Road and U.S. 41 to cross back and forth with white canes to bring awareness to the law.
“This year, Friday, Oct. 15, the event locally will be held on Del Prado Boulevard at the Coralwood Mall,” said King. The Coralwood Shopping Center is located at 2301 Del Prado Blvd., South.
Another activity will be held at Lakes Park in South Fort Myers that weekend. King is asking that anyone who wants to join the challenge, donate or get more information to call her at 217-0174. Also, she encourages all to stop at the pool that day for the event.
The North Fort Myers Community Pool is located at 5170 Orange Grove Blvd.