The 15th Annual Barefoot Ball, held Sept. 12 at ICONA Windrift, raised more than $385,000 in support of the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children. The fundraiser brought together generous sponsors, donors, and community members to support the organization’s mission of providing free, all-expense-paid summer camp experiences for children who are blind or visually impaired.
Guests enjoyed an evening of beachfront views, live entertainment from Jim Bannach and the BLT Band, and the evening’s live and silent auctions with proceeds helping to support the upcoming 2027 camp season.
“We are incredibly grateful for the commitment and unwavering support of our community,” says Matthew Pappas, president of the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children Foundation. “These gifts have already opened the doors through our camper scholarship for higher education, and they are helping us lay the groundwork for a long-term goal of rebuilding a more state-of-the-art facility in town. We are deeply thankful for everyone who has made this progress possible and whose generosity will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
The Barefoot Ball is one of the Diller Home’s two major annual fundraising events and generates financial support for its summer camp programs and scholarship opportunities. Since 1972, the Diller Home has welcomed children ages 7 to 20 for a week of friendship, independence, and unforgettable summer memories, all at no cost to their families.
In addition to its summer camp program, the organization continues to invest in campers’ futures through its scholarship program, established in 2022. The program provides financial assistance to eligible former campers pursuing higher education, helping them take the next step toward achieving their goals.
Seven scholarship recipients were recognized at the 2026 Barefoot Ball: Kimberly Appiott, Jon Paul Corman, Kayla Zarger, Kaytlyn Floyd, Alex DeMarco, Matthew Cawley, and Kathleen Kelly.
“The Helen L. Diller Scholarship program continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our alumni campers by helping them pursue their educational goals beyond their time at camp,” says Emily Mulhern, the camp’s supervisor. “This year, we awarded seven scholarships, providing $83,441 in support. Since 2022, a total of $284,368 has been awarded to alumni campers through this program.
“It was wonderful to celebrate our 2026 scholarship winners at the Barefoot and recognize their accomplishments. We are incredibly proud to continue investing in our campers’ futures and supporting them as they take the next steps in their educational journeys.”
The Diller Home’s next major fundraiser is the annual Turkey Trot scheduled for Friday, Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving. The event features a 5K run and a 1.5-mile walk, bringing the community together to support the Diller Home and kick off Festive Friday in Avalon.
For more information about the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children, its programs, and upcoming fundraisers, visit dillerblindhome.org.
