Lighthouse Guild Honors “The People Who Show Up” at Annual Volunteer Recognition Celebration

Nearly 300 volunteers recognized for more than 18,000 hours of service supporting people who are blind or visually impaired

NEW YORK, NY – April 30, 2026 – On Wednesday evening, Lighthouse Guild held its annual Stephen T. Pearlman Volunteer Center Recognition Celebration at the offices of BDO in Manhattan, honoring the nearly 300 volunteers who power the organization’s mission to empower people who are blind or visually impaired.

This year’s theme — “The People Who Show Up: Celebrating the Volunteers Who Build Connection, Access, and Community” — recognized the sustained, often quiet commitment of individuals who give their time across every part of the organization, from reading services and GED preparation to youth programming, adaptive technology, and clinical support.

Over the past year, Lighthouse Guild volunteers and interns contributed more than 18,000 hours of service. Three volunteers received Excellence in Service Awards: Shannon Dewar (General Support), Judith Karl (Programs & Services), and David Roycroft (Client’s Choice). Volunteers celebrating milestone years of service — from 5 to 30 years — were also recognized during the ceremony.

Among the honorees was Judith Karl, a retired United Nations professional who has volunteered at Lighthouse Guild for four years. Karl reads GED exam materials aloud to students who are blind or visually impaired, and was present at the organization’s 2026 GED graduation to watch four of her students receive their diplomas.

“My experience here makes me feel like I’m helping create the space for this community to do their best,” said Karl. “And that’s a great thing to be part of.”

Jim Dubin, Chairman of Lighthouse Guild’s Board of Directors, delivered the evening’s opening remarks. “This organization was founded by volunteers 125 years ago, and it still runs on their commitment today,” said Dubin. “What I see in this room isn’t obligation — it’s people who’ve made a choice to show up for someone else, week after week. That’s not a small thing.”

Cheryl A. Pemberton-Graves, Chief Volunteer Officer, presented the awards and recognized volunteers across the organization’s programs. “Our volunteers don’t just fill roles — they build relationships,” said Pemberton-Graves. “The people we honored tonight have changed lives through consistency, patience, and genuine care. They are the backbone of what we do at Lighthouse Guild.”

The celebration also recognized corporate volunteer partners including Goldman Sachs, KPMG, Morgan Stanley, Merck, JRM Construction, Regeneron, Target, BNY Mellon, and Amazon for their contributions throughout the year.

ABOUT LIGHTHOUSE GUILD

Lighthouse Guild is committed to providing exceptional services that inspire people who are blind or visually impaired to reach their goals. Through vision rehabilitation, assistive technology, mental health services, and innovative programming, Lighthouse Guild is dedicated to breaking barriers and enhancing lives. For more information visit lighthouseguild.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.