The Vision of Children Foundation Hosts “A Night For Sight” with AJ Croce
September 13, 2021 | San Diego, CA
About the Event
The Vision of Children Foundation hosted “A Night for Sight” concert featuring AJ Croce performing “Croce Plays Croce” on Saturday, August 28 at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club al fresco on their Field of Dreams.
The evening kicked off with the Sponsors’ Champagne Reception, followed by a Silent Auction and Cocktail Reception artfully presented by Off-the-Vine Catering. The program began with a fast-paced live auction, opportunity drawing, and raise-the-paddle, all to raise funds to support critical vision research. During the program, guests enjoyed a delicious three-course dinner under the stars, prepared by Fairbanks Ranch Country Club Executive Chef, Jesse Frost.
After dinner, AJ Croce and his band took the stage and performed songs that paid homage to the legacy of AJ’s father, Jim Croce. In the spirit of his late father, AJ Croce transported 300 concert guests from San Diego to New Orleans with his virtuoso piano riffs, soulful vocal flair, and distinctive sound. Throughout the show, AJ filled the air with bluesy Rock n’ Roll melodies that he masterfully crafted over three decades by playing with iconic artists, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin.
The evening wrapped up with AJ playing “Time in a Bottle” – a song written for him by his father before he tragically died too soon in 1973. The audience fell silent as he strummed his way through the legendary song while home movies of an infant AJ with his father, Jim, and mother, Ingrid, were displayed on the projector screens.
“A Night for Sight” fundraising concerts were started several years ago by Vision of Children founders, Sam and Vivian Hardage, to raise money for crucial research to find cures for genetic vision disorders and childhood blindness.
This year’s “A Night for Sight” concert was made possible by the efforts and support of Event Co-Chairs, Tamara Lafarga Joseph and Jamie Carr, and Presenting Sponsors, Phil and Barbara Huffman, Steve and Paige Huffman, and Ron and Maureen McMahon, as well as Gold Sponsors -- Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Nation, and George and Jan DeVries.
The sold-out event raised over $500,000 through sponsorships, underwriters, ticket sales, live and silent auctions, and a high-end opportunity drawing featuring a custom-designed necklace by Jacqui Grande Fine Gemstones & Jewelry. In addition to funding research to find cures for genetic vision disorders and childhood blindness, the proceeds will provide support services for children living with blindness or visual impairment and their families.
Missed the concert but would like to support vision research? You can join Vision of Children in the fight to find a cure for genetic vision disorders by going to https://visionofchildrenfoundation-bloom.kindful.com/
About The Vision of Children Foundation
Rancho Santa Fe residents Sam and Vivian Hardage established Vision of Children in 1991 after their son, Chase, was born with Ocular Albinism. At the time, no researchers were studying this rare genetic vision disorder, for which no treatments or cures exist. The Hardages were determined to encourage scientific research to find a cure for this congenital condition. Today, as it celebrates over 30 years of research, Vision of Children is the foremost organization in the world supporting research for Ocular Albinism and related vision disorders with projects currently underway at The Shiley Eye Institute at UC San Diego Health.
