Guiding Eyes for the Blind and Eli Manning Host Tee-Off to Spring Golf Classic

Last night, Guiding Eyes for the Blind held its spring tee-off for its 35th annual Golf Classic, which will be hosted this year by Super Bowl MVP and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. At the event, Guiding Eyes sought to recognize its dedicated sponsors who have continued to make the internationally accredited school for guide dogs a success, and started the countdown towards its annual charity golf tournament.

Guiding Eyes is an internationally accredited guide dog school that provides trained guide dogs and lifetime support for the blind and visually impaired. They also provide service dogs for children with autism.

In attendance at last night’s event were Guiding Eyes staff and volunteers, Guiding Eyes executives, Manning, members who have utilized Guiding Eyes’ services, and donors who have contributed to the annual charity golf tournament. Thanks to these donors and the efforts of Guiding Eyes, the tournament has officially sold out.

Manning, who is set to host this year’s tournament, is no stranger to Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s Golf Classic; he has hosted the tournament five prior years, and this year will mark his sixth as host. Though he began hosting the Classic as a favor to family friend Patrick Browne Jr., who became legally blind following a car accident, Manning has grown to embrace the cause.

“I started hosting the Classic as a favor to a family friend,” Manning admitted. “But I continue to do it because I love hearing the stories of all the people who are helped. This cause really is helping a lot of people.”

Over the years, the annual Classic has become a staple for Guiding Eyes. Founded in 1977 by PGA legend Ken Venturi, the annual tournament has raised over $7 million for Guiding Eyes. Eli Manning’s attachment to the Classic is only furthering that cause.

What do you think about Eli Manning and his devotion to helping an organization that provides guide dogs for the blind? Isn’t it refreshing to see a person in a high profile position use their platform for a good cause? Share your thoughts in a comment.