Barefoot Ball Hits New High In Donations for Diller Home
Some of the 2025 scholarship recipients (from left) Andrew Fass, Alex Schnee, Ben Wallace, and Mary Anne Roberto accepting on behalf of her son, Vincent Roberto.
The 14th annual Barefoot Ball, held Sept. 6 at ICONA Windrift, had a record-setting year, raising more than $450,000 for the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children. The milestone was achieved through generous sponsorships, donations, and proceeds from the evening’s live and silent auctions.
Guests enjoyed the stunning views from Level 2 and the tiki bar while listening to live music from Jim Bannach and the BLT Band.
“It was such an incredible night for the Diller Home,” said Matthew Pappas, president of the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children Foundation, Inc. “From listening to one of our younger campers, Emma, sing on stage to meeting our 2025 scholarship recipients and talking with parents about what camp means to their kids – this is what it’s all about: the kids.”
Pappas shared one of the evening’s highlights: the announcement of a $500,000 donation to the organization’s scholarship fund earlier this year. In addition, a second anonymous donor pledged to match every dollar raised during the Barefoot Ball, up to $50,000. “These extraordinary gifts will open doors, transform futures, and ensure our campers have every opportunity to reach their goals,” Pappas said.
During the evening, camp supervisor Emily Mulhern presented six campers with 2025 scholarship awards. Recipients included Andrew Fass, Erin Redmond, Ben Wallace, Alex Schnee, Aaliyah McKethan, and Vincent Roberto. Each student received a $20,000 scholarship, distributed at $5,000 per year, to support their higher education.
“Being able to present these awards is one of the most meaningful parts of the year for me,” said Mulhern. “I’ve known each of our scholarship winners since their very first summer at Diller. Seeing them now – stepping into adulthood and pursuing higher education or their dreams – is such a powerful reminder of why we do this work.”
The Barefoot Ball is one of the Diller Home’s two major annual fundraising events. Pappas expressed gratitude to the community, saying, “Thank you to all our sponsors, donors, and community members for helping us achieve a record year at the Barefoot Ball. None of this is possible without your support.”
The Diller Home now looks ahead to its next fundraiser, the Turkey Trot, on Friday, Nov. 28 at 10am in Avalon. The event will feature a 5K run and 1.5-mile walk, with prizes awarded for best-dressed groups as well as age-group timing awards.
Visit dillerblindhome.org for more information.
