Stephen T. Pearlman
Lighthouse Guild Celebrates International Volunteer Day and Announces the Naming of the Stephen T. Pearlman Volunteer Center
NEW YORK (Dec. 3, 2020) - In celebration of International Volunteer Day on December 5, Lighthouse Guild is announcing the naming of the Stephen T. Pearlman Volunteer Center in recognition of one its most committed and dedicated volunteers.
Lighthouse Guild was founded over 100 years
ago by volunteers who envisioned a brighter
future for people who are blind or visually
impaired, and Stephen T. Pearlman carried
that vision into the 21st century. He began
volunteering as a teenager, then returned as
an adult and served as a volunteer at
Lighthouse Guild for 27 years, until his
death in November, at age 77. He was a
long-time resident of the Upper Eastside
of Manhattan.
“When Lighthouse Guild organized a major tandem bike event, Mr. Pearlman was part of the core team strategizing, creating, and then participating in the event as a sighted guide raising awareness, funds and telling the stories of how people with vision impairment can accomplish anything, even riding a bike,” says Cheryl Pemberton-Graves, Chief Volunteer Officer at Lighthouse Guild. “His devotion to our mission and dedication to our clients was unparalleled.”
Mr. Pearlman was the lead in screening prospective new volunteers, he served as a reader for people with visual impairment, and he assisted with all Lighthouse Guild special events, including fundraisers and awards programs. His efforts and personal contributions enabled Lighthouse Guild to provide hundreds of gifts to the communities it serves.
Upon learning the Lighthouse Guild Volunteer Center would be renamed in his honor, Mr. Pearlman said in a letter, “The organization has played a very important role in my life, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of the organization. I cherish the friendships that were cultivated over the years with both staff and clients.”
The Volunteer Resources Department at Lighthouse Guild includes a wide range of service opportunities such as direct service opportunities including reading for people with vision impairment, creative projects, administrative support and mobility support at special events. Lighthouse Guild volunteers contribute more than 52,000 hours of service annually and are critical to the organization’s work to help people who are visually impaired attain their goals.
About Lighthouse Guild
Lighthouse Guild is the leading organization dedicated to providing exceptional services that inspire people who are visually impaired to attain their goals. We provide coordinated care for eye health, vision rehabilitation and behavioral health as well as related services. We recently launched a new podcast series, “On Tech & Vision with Dr. Cal Roberts” which provides information and insights about technological innovations that are tearing down barriers for people who are blind or visually impaired. For more information, visit Lighthouseguild.org.