About the Event
Experience food, drink and conversation in a new way: in this unique dining experience, you will eat dinner in darkness. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, as part of a training exercise, will serve you wearing night vision goggles. The annual Dining in the Dark fundraiser event for New Vision for Independence will showcase that blindness does not have to be a barrier to independence.
- When: March 6, 2025, 6 p.m.
- Where: Venetian Center, Leesburg
- Cost: early bird special: $900 for a sponsored, private table for 8; $125 for individual tickets (regular price as of 1/1/25 – $1,000 for a sponsored, private table for 8; $150 for individual tickets)
If you reserved your table by August 31, 2024, you will be invoiced at the 2024 price. If you no longer want your table, just let us know.
Menu, catered by Pisces Rising – coming soon!
Salad: tbd
Entrée: your choice of a “meat” plate or vegetarian plate
- Meat: tbd
- Vegetarian/Gluten-Free: tbd
- Sides: tbd
Dessert: tbd
(Not So) Small Print
Name, email address, and meal preference (meat or vegetarian) is required for each attendee. This information is due no later than one week prior to the event. Call 352-607-7607 or email cbuck@newvisionfl.org. All tickets include one free drink from the bar (beer, wine, or soda only), unless otherwise indicated on your sponsorship – must be 21 to have beer or wine. The bar closes promptly at 7 p.m. and only one drink may be carried into the dining room. In attending this event, you and your party assume all risks associated with this event, and hereby release New Vision for Independence, its employees and agents, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office/SWAT Team, and City of Leesburg from any and all liability arising from injury or damage that may be suffered from participation in this event. In participating, you grant full permission for the use of all recordings of this event. New Vision will attempt to accommodate any dietary restrictions if we are informed at least one week prior. We cannot guarantee you will receive your preferred meal choice due to the complex, logistical circumstances of serving food in the dark via night vision goggles and due to last-minute meal preference changes of our guests. Thank you for your patience! All guest must be 18 to attend.
2025 Sponsorship Opportunities
Presenting Sponsor $5,000
You will be recognized as Presenting Sponsor for this event in all print materials. The presenting sponsor will receive a spread (or 2 full-page ads) in the event program and two named tables for 8 (24 tickets), and receive a Certificate of Appreciation presented at the event. Attendees get early access to the cocktail hour and express check-in.
Cocktail Sponsor $2,000
Your business’s logo will be printed on drink tickets given to every guest and on a “Cocktail Hour Sponsored By” poster. You may also set out your company’s promotional items during the cocktail hour if you choose. You will receive one private table for 8 (plus 2 drink tickets per guest), and a full-page ad in the event program. Attendees get early access to the cocktail hour and express check-in.
Darkness Sponsor $1,500
Sponsor the full-day prep to darken the space. Your logo will be on signage throughout the event. You will also receive a private, named table for 8, and have a full-page ad in the event program.
SWAT Photo Sponsor $1,500 (TAKEN)
SWAT team members pose with attendees for a unique memento of the event that are then shared electronically on social media. Your logo will be featured on all electronic and printed photos. You will also receive a private, named table for 8, and have a half-page ad in the event program.
Silent Auction Sponsor $1,250
Upgrade your table with a Silent Auction sponsorship. We will promote your business during the silent auction on our digital platform. Includes a private, named table for 8.
Dessert Sponsor $750
A delicious sweet treat sponsored by you will be served after the dining experience. Your business will be announced during the dessert portion of the event. You will also receive 4 individual tickets, a half-page ad, and a sponsor listing in the event program. TWO AVAILABLE
Eye Candy Sponsor $500
Your business’s logo will be printed on candy boxes placed on each table. You will also receive 2 individual tickets, a half-page ad, and a sponsor listing in the event program.
Program Sponsor
Full page— $200
Half page—$100
Your business will have an advertisement in the event program which is distributed to all guests during the event and electronically after the event to New Vision’s nearly-3,000 mailing list.
In Kind/Media Sponsorship
New Vision appreciates in-kind and media donations that contribute to the success of our annual fundraiser event. New Vision will provide an ad in our program and in our sponsor listing, and promote on social media (as appropriate).