The ECVI will hold its inaugural “GAME OF PHONES” Scavenger Hunt from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12th in downtown Springfield. Individuals and teams of up to six people will use their phones and the Aware app. to locate 16 sites throughout the downtown area. This unique and inclusive event will benefit the ECVI and is being held as part of Blind Awareness Month. An ‘After Party’ will take place on Adams Street following the Farmer’s Market from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.       

The goal of the “GAME OF PHONES” is twofold. We want to raise funds, and awareness of the Educational Center for the Visually Impaired. We believe this experience will provide a fun way for everyone; sighted, blind, or visually impaired, to interact and gain a new perspective on being visually impaired.  Each team will have individuals who are sighted and/or visually impaired who will experience low vision challenges while learning how to navigate the downtown streets using apps on their phones throughout the Scavenger Hunt. Downtown Springfield is the first neighborhood in the country to have installed Aware beacons to help visually impaired people navigate independently. Along the way, participants will take on a number of fun challenges. There is a $40 registration fee (per person) which includes a commemorative T-shirt, (If you register before Sept. 27th), admission to the After Party which includes food and beverages, and a photo and autograph with Riverton native and NASCAR Xfinity Driver Justin Allgaier, who is sponsored by BRANDT. 

Registration is open at http://www.bit.ly/ECVIgameofphones

Here’s some background information on the Education Center for the Visually Impaired:

The ECVI was established in September 2014 by Evelyn Brandt-Thomas in memory of her husband, Gordon Thomas. Thomas’ desire was to improve the quality of life for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Our mission is to provide high quality education, training and development opportunities through innovative services and programs. There is no fee for our classes and students can learn to use computers, iDevices and/or how to adapt to the loss of their eyesight through our Daily Living Skills course, and we have an art appreciation class. Our website is www.edcentervi.org.