Step into a night of inspiration with Beyond Blindness on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at our Santa Ana campus. This year, we celebrate more than just a gala, we’re honoring the completion of our new playgrounds our growing garden, and spaces that will nurture play, learning, and growth for the children we serve. As we enter our 64th year of serving the Orange County community, we invite our supporters to join us for an unforgettable evening of philanthropy, connection, and celebration. Together, we’ll reflect on the impact we’ve made and look ahead to the brighter futures we’re building—one child, one family, one milestone at a time.

2025 Gala Highlights

Craig Fitzpatrick is a retired Air Force Veteran, former U.S. Blind Hockey forward, and author. Diagnosed more than 20 years ago with Stargardt disease, a rare genetic eye disease that causes vision loss, Craig found purpose through ice hockey. Now, he has set his sights on blind hockey becoming a Paralympic sport by 2034.

Beyond the rink, Craig works to expand access to hockey for disabled athletes across the United States and Canada. He also serves as the Chief Innovation Officer at Akira Technologies and as a Senior Technology Fellow at the Center for Advanced Defense Studies. He resides in Washington D.C., with his wife and child.

Craig’s book, Finding the Puck, is both a memoir and a powerful guide to leadership and resilience, chronicling his unexpected return to ice hockey after losing his sight. Proceeds from the book directly support the Blind Hockey Foundation, advancing opportunities for blind and visually impaired athletes on the path to the 2034 Winter Paralympics.