Oktoberfest Fundraiser Planned to Fight Blindness

Many people around the state and country are now familiar with young Lilly Diuble's struggle, thanks to NBC Nightly News' coverage of her national award for volunteerism and her family's trip to San Francisco.

As part of their fundraising efforts in support of a cure, Lilly's Friends are holding an Oktoberfest party on November 22 to benefit their team for the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB). It will be held at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds located at 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road in Saline at 6:30pm and will cost $15/person or $50/family. It will include German Food, Music by Eclipse, Square Dancing, silent and live auctions and all sorts of fun!

You can also support the fundraiser by donating cash or items, gift certificates, and services to be auctioned. Donations of all types are 100% tax-deductible. To donate for the auction, fill out and return this form: 2014_Lillys_Auction_Form. (Make a copy for your records as it includes the tax ID number.) Donors will be featured on their website and in their auction night book. Table sponsorships are also available for those wishing to donate. Corporate-sponsored tables will be recognized and promoted through marketing efforts for the event. All funds raised will go directly to support FFB and its efforts to fight blindness.

Lilly Diuble established her team for her very first VisionWalk in 2010 when she was just seven years old. Each year since, Lilly, along with her family and friends raise money for FFB because they believe the money raised to fund research will one day lead to a cure for Lilly’s blinding eye disease. Angela Diuble said that "Lilly is driven to help fund a cure not only for herself, but for others like her. The outpouring of love and support for Lilly and her fundraising efforts has been amazing and for that we truly feel blessed!"

The FFB is a national nonprofit and the world’s leading private source for retinal disease research funding. FFB is committed to driving research until the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases is eradicated.

For more information or to pledge your contribution, contact Angela Diuble at (734) 649-8543 or email lillysfriendsffb@gmail.com or fax: 734-428-9048. If you are donating, a volunteer will follow up with you to   arrange a pick up of donated items.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.