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Sight Loss Monthly Newsletter August 2026

Aug 1
10 min read

Our Mission Statement:

The mission of the Hull Foundation and Learning Center is to provide programs, facilities and services including social, educational, and recreational activities for people with blindness and sight loss.


*If you would prefer to receive this newsletter by email, please send an email to: oralhull@gmail.com



Hull Foundation Upcoming Events and Seminars:



  • August 1- Golf Tounament With the Lions

  • August 16-22 Summer Adventure Retreat

  • September 7 - Office closed Labor Day

  • September 9 - One Day Fun Day Fruit Loop

  • Septemeber 11 & 12- Comunity Yard Sale

  • September 24- Lions Work Day

  • September 30-October 2 - Daily Living Seminar

  • October 12 - Office closed for Columbus Day

  • October 24 - Haunted Hull-O-Ween Fundraiser

  • October 26-28 – Cooking Seminar

  • October 29 - One Day Fun day - Crow hunt

  • November 1-Dec 4 See's Candy Fundraiser

  • November 5 - Jan 20 - Value Village FunDrive

  • November 11 – office closed – Veterans Day

  • November 17-20 – Arts & Hobbies Seminar

  • November 19 - One Day Fun Day Friendsgiving

  • November 26-27 – Office closed – Thanksgiving

  • December 7 – 11 – Holiday Getaway

  • December 19-Jan 3 -Office closed


    2027

  • February 18– 22– Winter Retreat

  • March 23 – 26 – Daily Living Seminar


If you are interested in any of our social getaways, one day fun days, seminars and recreational retreats, please contact our office and sign up! Spots fill up VERY quickly, so jump in with both feet, save your spot and come out to Hull Park! If you would like to volunteer as staff or sponsor an event, please contact the office 503.668.6195.


From the Executive Director Desk

by Creanna Gallegos - Executive Director

 

July was full of community‑fueled energy right here in our hometown of Sandy, OR. The Hull Foundation & Learning Center had multiple opportunities to connect with local residents and share the important work we do for individuals experiencing sight loss and blindness.

We kicked off the month by participating in the Sandy Mountain Festival Parade, partnering with the Sandy Lions Club. The theme— “Party Like It’s 1776”—gave us the perfect chance to get creative. Our float, brilliantly crafted by Operations Manager Tawni, transformed spare cardboard into a full‑fledged boat. Leading the way was our beloved Beaver statue from Oral Hull Park, proudly sporting a white cane to promote awareness and a tricorn hat to match the theme. Along the sides of the boat, we highlighted key services such as our free vision assessments, ensuring paradegoers learned about the resources available to them.

The following weekend, we continued our community engagement at the Sandy Mountain Festival, where we hosted a nacho booth fundraiser. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, we were able to staff the booth almost entirely with volunteer support—and raise a total of $1,437.00 to help fund our programs and services.

With July wrapped up, we’re now turning our attention to one of our favorite annual traditions: Summer Adventure! Preparations are underway, and this year’s program is shaping up to be a splashing good time filled with plenty of adventure!

Group picture of Hull Foundation staff and the Sandy Lions Club members standing in front of the parade float shaped like a boat with colonial flag, red, white and blue colors.
Group picture of Hull Foundation staff and the Sandy Lions Club members standing in front of the parade float shaped like a boat with colonial flag, red, white and blue colors.

ONE DAY FUN DAY – Oaks Amusement Park

 

The day began with a conga line from the front gate to Guest Relations, where everyone picked up wristbands for unlimited amusement rides.

After check-in, the group headed to the picnic area along the Willamette River to cool off and enjoy lunch. Hamburgers and burritos gave everyone a chance to recharge before exploring the park.

Guests enjoyed bumper cars, roller coasters, giant slides, and other amusement rides that brought plenty of excitement.

The group later gathered at the roller rink in true foundation fashion. Jessie joined in the hokey pokey, spun himself all around, and showed everyone that’s what he’s all about.

Staff member and participant enjoying a carousel ride at Oaks Amusement Park on our One-Day Fun Day, one on a colorful camel and the other on a painted horse, surrounded by the park’s bright, lively midway
Staff member and participant enjoying a carousel ride at Oaks Amusement Park on our One-Day Fun Day, one on a colorful camel and the other on a painted horse, surrounded by the park’s bright, lively midway

TRAVELING WITH KAT

by Kat Rogers, HFLC Board Member

 

Hello everyone. I hope your summer has been going well, and you are all healthy, happy, and safe from fires and floods.

I was going through my notes and trying to figure out which apps I haven't used yet. So, I thought I might take a different turn. How would you all like to go on a camping trip?

I have gone camping many times, with different levels of vision. And I must say the start of every trip is usually the same. There usually is no internet service, so most apps won’t help you, so be alert. Bring an extra sturdy cane that won't snap or easily get hung in underbrush or brambles. I have a designated camping cane with a large red rolling ball and another tip that is saucer shaped.

I'm still partially sighted (albeit what sight I have is awful), and my husband is prepared for this. He has grown more patient with me!

My advice as a hiker and camper: use your cane to map the area around the tent, including the fire pit and how to get to the designated bathroom area/outhouse/port-a-potty (If you are lucky enough to have one).

Always put your cane in the same location at night when you go into your tent or camper, so if an emergency comes up, you can grab it and go fast.

Have someone you implicitly trust to lead you in the woods-- there is a LOT of stuff you can trip over, and Mother Nature just loves to drop stuff in a previously clear path to trip you up.

I do enjoy camp food, but the propane is hard for me to deal with, so I leave that up to my sighted partner. I can still set the table and serve. I prefer to put a tablecloth down to let me know the boundaries of the table or area we are eating in.

Have a way to communicate with whoever is leading you in case you get separated: cell phone, telepathy, or just a cowbell (whistle).

Wear something durable on your arms, because if you do get hit by brambles (they're EVERYWHERE where I live) or poison ivy, your sleeve gets hit/tore up instead of you.

Wear a hat!!! Both bugs and sun are bad! Also, have the person with you check you over for ticks, and check entire body carefully before crawling into your sleeping bag.

Last but not least, and these go hand in hand: carry your own day or two supply of food and water while hiking, and in the very unlikely event your guide croaks and you are now lost, SIT DOWN AND STAY PUT. Know what trailhead you started at so you can tell someone if your phone has service. Yell, call out, and conserve your phone's battery. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR SPOT. If you must move for whatever reason, LEAVE A TRAIL. By a trail, I mean ignore the rule of "leave nothing behind." Now is the time to be a litter bug. Leave any food wrappers, scraps of cloth, or whatever, so someone knows you were there and can find you. And KEEP YELLING. I once marked a trail using a stick, drawing an arrow in the direction I turned off the path. (I erased the arrow once we returned to the path). And I am happy to say my fellow blind hikers and I made it out without any major issues.

Have fun but always be safe!

Events

 

August 16-22 – Summer Adventure Retreat Registration closes on July 16

 

September 30-October 2 – Daily Living Seminar, $150, 3-night, 4 day stay. Final Day to register is September 23, 2026.

 

Workshops may include magnifiers & computers, iPads, meta and other technology, orientation and mobility discussion, kitchen tricks, discussion on sighted guides, transportation, travel and other resources. In the down time, hot tub, walks through the garden, movies and games will be enjoyed. The price includes your lodging and food. Pick up locations at designated times will include the PDX airport, Union Station train station, and Gresham Carl’s Jr.

 

October 26-28 – Cooking Seminar, 2-night, 3 day stay. $150, Final Day to register is October 19, 2026.

 

November 17-20 – Arts and Hobbies, 3-night, 4 day stay. $150, Final Day to register is November 10, 2026.

 

December 7-11 – Winter Getaway, 4-night, 5 day stay, $400. Final Day to register is November 30, 2026. 

 

February 18-22 – Winter Retreat, 4 nights, 5 day stay. Final registration is February 4th, 2027. 

Fundraisers

Our Nacho Booth at Sandy Mt Days Festival raised $ 1,437.00

 

September 11 & 12 - Community Yard Sale at Oral Hull Park. 10 am to 3 pm. $25 to hold an unlimited space. Call office for more details. 

 

October 24 - Haunted Hull-O-Ween Fundraiser

Halloween festivities include haunted house, games, costume contest, apple cider and treats! Entry into the haunted house $5/person, ages 5 and under free. 8 years and under will need supervision to enter haunted house. Pick up available at Gresham Carls Jr on Burnside and Sandy Community Center. 

 

November 5 to January 4 - Value Village FunDrive, bring your donated items already packaged to the Foundation. We will deliver to Value Village in January. For more information and details on requirements for packaging items call office. 

 

November 14  - Keeping Hopes and Dreams Alive  Gala fundraiser. Doors open at 4 pm, $150 per person.

Join us for a night with a multi-course dinner, auction and 50/50 raffle! Help us raise funds to support the Hull Foundation mission of providing facilities and programs for adults with sight loss and blindness. 

Bringing your Garden Indoors for the Fall

By Kat Roger, Board Member HFLC 

 

With the changing of the seasons, there are many DIY projects for the Fall and Winter. There’s just something about the fall and winter seasons and the holidays that invite gardeners to be creative even when they can’t get outside. DIYs help bring all that beauty, joy, and abundance that comes from gardening inside of your home.

Here are just a few of the projects you’ll love:

Turning any room into an indoor garden with Terrariums and Miniature Gardens. Miniature terrariums are a charming way to bring nature indoors. Use glass containers with tight-fitting lids to create self-contained ecosystems featuring moss, succulents, and tiny decorative elements like pebbles, bridges, or figurines. (I like fairies and gnomes). These gardens require minimal care, occasional misting, and indirect sunlight, making them perfect for busy plant lovers or small apartments. I like succulents for these types of indoor gardening. They do not mind you touching them a lot.

Thanksgiving centerpieces made from nature also look good using your outdoor flowers and leaves. You can save and twist your grape vines into wreaths and add your holly berries and leaves.  

Creating festive holiday wreaths with natural accents like lavender or rosemary. Plus, DIY gifts like herbal dream pillows and canning your abundant crop for gifts.

It is sad that summer is almost over, but there is still so much more we can do with our garden. Send any questions to me at klr97266@gmail.com.

Who wants to know about canning your crop? Just call the office at 503-668-6195 and they will pass along your questions.

Till next time, be safe, stay hydrated and most of all. Enjoy your garden!

Recipe

Chicken Pizza

by Tina Christian, Sight Loss InstructorTools: parchment paper, cookie sheet or round pizza pan, large bowl, 2 medium bowls, frying pan, emersion blender, small food processor or smashing tool- rolling pin or large can, large Ziploc bags, 1 rack for draining chicken, 1 mason jar, meat pounder, paper towels, small bowl, pizza cutterDressing3 egg yolks1 1/2c. avocado oil1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard1 tbsp white wine vinegar2 lemons zested and juiced1 tbsp. minced garlic from the jar3 canned/jarred anchovies or 1/2 tsp. anchovy paste1 tablespoon Worcestershire saucePinch kosher salt1/2 tsp course pepper1/2 cup shredded parmesanSalad1 small package of shredded/cut romaine1 package of arugula1/2 red onion thinly slicedPizza base1 lb. Chicken breasts1c. Dots garlic parm pretzels groundOil for frying chicken2 eggs1c Shredded mozzarellaOlives of your choice1 Ready-made pizza doughMix together 1/2 tsp. Garlic, onion powder, pepper, paprika & pinch saltPreheat 425*Prep ready-made pizza dough per the package directions on a parchment lined baking sheet.Dressing-Emersion blend the dressing ingredients in a mason jar (until beige white). Gently stir in parmesan with a spoon. Set 1 cup of dressing aside for base sauce & reserve rest for lettuce and chicken later.Pizza-Grind up pretzels in small food processor. Put the crumbs in a bowl for coating. Lightly scramble 2 eggs in a bowl for dredging. Put chicken in a Ziploc and pound until thin and remove. Sprinkle both sides with your seasoning mix. Dip your chicken in egg then crumbs on both sides. On medium high heat fry chicken for 2-3 minutes each side and drain with paper towels under a rack. After it’s cooled cut into long chunks. Reserve half the chicken for pizza dough. Thinly slice red onion. Chop olives. Lightly chop arugula. In a large bowl gently mix half the chicken and arugula with 2c -3c of lettuce and stir in leftover dressing (not the reserved base cup).Once your dough is ready, spread 1 cup of dressing on the dough. Top with mozzarella cheese, onion, olives and the other half of the chicken. Bake 10-20 mins. depending on your dough. Add salad on top, slice. Happy summer!


Support the Spaces That Support Our Mission

Our campus is the foundation of every program, every connection, and every moment of independence we create. Your gift today helps maintain safe, accessible facilities and grounds so adults with sight loss can continue to learn, explore, and thrive. 

Lawn Mower
Lawn Mower

Please consider donating to support essential maintenance and upkeep. Your generosity keeps our mission strong.

Please visit hullflc.org or send a check to 

Hull Foundation and Learning Center

PO Box 157 

Sandy, OR 97055.

  Thank you to all of our donors for keeping hopes and dreams alive here at the Hull Foundation and Learning Center.

 




Did you know?...


  • The Month of August is

    Children's Eye health and Safety Month

    Annual observance supported by Prevent Blindness and by the Foundation Fighting Blindness emphasizes early detection, routine eye exams and prevention of permanent vision loss in youth. 

    Hull Foundation and Learning Center offers personalized low vision assessments where adults can explore adaptive tools tailored to their needs. Just call our office to get started—our team will guide you through the process and help you access the aids that best support your level of sight loss, including items you may be able to take home.


     

Jokes to Keep you Laughing…or Groaning!

 

I tried to catch fog yesterday. Mist.

 

Q. Why was the ice cream mad in August?

A.  It couldn't keep it together

 

Q. Why do bananas use sunscreen in August?  

A.  Because they peel


Contact Us

The Hull Foundation and Learning Center

Phone: 503-668-6195

Website: hullflc.org


 
 
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