Members of the Blind Center of the Jersey Cape present two blankets they knitted to a CARA representative. Photo by Leslie Truluck

AVALON ––Members of the Blind Center of the Jersey Cape donated two handmade blankets they created to the Cape May County Coalition Against Rape and Abuse (CARA) April 29 as part of the “Warm Up America” national effort to donate afghans to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.

“I’m honored to accept this because this will give a survivor hope and I know it will brighten and bring color into their life,” CARA Representative Martina Bumpus said.

Each member of the blind center contributed to creating the blankets in some way. Volunteer Pam Collins instructs the knitting workshop which made the blanket donation possible.

Bumpus said disabled people become victims of abuse because many need to be reliant on others for help. She told them about many free and confidential programs and options available including a 24/7 help hotline and individual or group counseling sessions.

The coalition offers a clothing closet and shelter subsidized by donations and it provides free legal assistance to help victims get a restraining order if needed.

“We do a lot for a small duel agency. Thank you for choosing us,” she said.

The Blind Center of the Jersey Cape (BCJC) is a non-profit operation for the benefit of the visually impaired partially funded through a county grant. The center has ten seeing volunteers who assist the blind and promote the center.

The BCJC first opened on Oct. 16, 2000 at a trailer in the Crest Haven Complex but needed to relocate to the First Methodist Church of Avalon when an electrical fire destroyed the trailer the morning of Oct. 28, 2003. No one was injured.

Founder Millicent “Millie” Saraduke said the center’s mission is “ to enhance the lives of the blind and visually impaired, so they have things to look forward to and won’t feel isolated.”
Saraduke was born with sight but developed glaucoma and has been blind for 25 years.

The center produces a monthly newsletter informing members of upcoming events, projects and fieldtrips. The group has made trips to the Cape May Point Lighthouse and Cape May Stage.

“It’s geared towards making people’s lives better,” Saraduke said.
“Socialization is an important part of it because it is difficult for the blind to fit-in to the seeing world; we teach social skills here to help the blind socialize with the seeing population.”

The four elements of the program are exercise, drama, music and crafts. The program performs skits to express themselves, listens to and produces music for therapy and makes crafts to feel a sense of accomplishment, Saraduke said.

“Though we’re blind we can still do a lot like painting, pottery and knitting,” she said.

“People tend to want to put us (blind people) out of the way; they mean to be helpful but they don’t understand that we want to be a part of things,” Saraduke said.

“We are the same, we just can’t see, and we want to be included.” Saraduke said adding that there is an old stigma that still exists today.

“We have an interesting group of people from all walks of life here,” she said.

Paul Gossin is a volunteer representing the Lions Club International of Avalon. He said he wants to get more of the club’s members involved. “It’s a pleasure to help,” he said.

Richard Barnett of Green Creek has a retina problem and has come to the blind center since its inception eight years ago. “I have met many friends here and if not for Millie we all wouldn’t be here,” he said.

Steve Arluck of Court House has no peripheral vision since he had a brain tumor operation in 1985.

Irma Ziontz recently moved to Cape May City. “I enjoy the diversified program here and pleasant socialization with people who do whatever they can to help,” she said.

Reggie Lancaster of Somers Point has been a member for six years. He was born with a cataract in his right eye.

Virginia Wood, 95, has been legally blind for 20 years but she said she “makes the best of it” and her children have been very helpful and supportive.
“I can still knit without seeing the stitches,” she said.

Louis Cericola has a macular degeneration in which his retina accumulates blood. He said he enjoys the comradeship at the center.

Irene “Renie” Lukens of Ocean City also has a macular degeneration and joined the center eight years ago.
“I’m very independent and I like to do things for myself. Here they help us to do everything we can do and we appreciate it,” she said. “I would be absolutely lost without the blind center.”

Volunteers Audrey Emery, Kathleen Coleman, Ethel Boyce and Collins give their time to keeping things running.
“I just enjoy being here. Their outlook on life is unbelievable,” Emery said.

“They are an inspiration and I’ve learned a lot,” Coleman said.

The Blind Center of the Jersey Cape meets at the First Methodist Church of Avalon on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information contact (609) 967-4204.

Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 Ext 24 or at: ltruluck @cmcherald.com.