Sight Loss Monthly Newsletter March 2026
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:
March 3-6 Mobility Sight Loss Seminar
March 25 - One Day Fun Day -Escape Room
March 28 - Lions Work Day
April 6-10 - Spring Fling
April 18- 19 Community Yard Sale
April 23 One Day Fun Day - Hopscotch
April 29- May 13 - Membership Drive
May 5- 8 - Technology Seminar
May 25 - Office closed Memorial Day
May 30 - Annual Tea Party
June 7- 12 - Friends and Alumni
June 19 - Office Closed Juneteenth
July 3 - Office closed - Independence Day
July 21 - One Day Fun Day - Oaks park
August 1 – Golf Tournament with the Lions
August 16-22 Summer Adventure Retreat
September 7 - Office closed Labor Day
September 9- One Day Fun Day Fruit Loop
September 11-12 – Community yard sale at Oral Hull
September 24 – Lions Work Day
September 30- October 2- Daily Living Seminar
October 12 – Office Closed – Indigenous people’s Day
October 24 - Haunted Hull-O-Ween Fundraiser
October 26-28 - Cooking Seminar
October 29 - One Day Fun Day - Crow Hunt
November 11 – office closed – Veterans Day
November 17-20 - Arts and Hobbies Seminar
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.
Hot off the Executive Director DeskCreanna Gallegos The office has been buzzing with planning, preparation, and excitement as we roll into a year full of new opportunities and returning favorites! 🌟 Program & Retreat Registration Now Open Registration is officially open for two of our most beloved summer programs, and spots are already filling fast:
If these retreats are on your list this year, now is the perfect time to secure your spot.
💻 Technology Seminar: May 5–8 We’re also thrilled to share that a brand‑new Technology Seminar is in the works for May 5–8. This seminar will explore practical, empowering ways technology can support your daily life. Workshops will include Meta Glasses, iPhone and iPad accessibility and apps like Viddyscribe, Be My Eyes, and BAARD. With such a wide range of tools and topics, there’s sure to be something that fits your needs and interests. For a full schedule of events, please visit our website calendar or review the list below. 🎉 One Day Fun Days Are Back! This month marks the return of our One Day Fun Day program!Our first outing of the year will be on March 25, where we’ll take a group to a Speak Easy Escape Room. We only have 6 spots left, so call soon to reserve your place! 🛠️ A Strong Start to the Year We’re grateful to begin the year with a generous grant from Idealistic Cause, which has allowed us to prioritize major maintenance across our vehicles and buildings. One highlight we’re especially excited about: our pool chair lift has been repaired! This support helps us keep our campus safe, accessible, and ready for all the programs ahead.
|
 |
We are grateful for our volunteers helping with the groundskeeper and maintenance. |
Who likes to travel? Part Two by Kat Rogers - Independent Sight Loss Instructor Hello again. As promised, here is my take on the new Glide….. So, to get on with what I know about the new Glide by GLIDEANCE.
Glide simply guides the way! Here is how the company said to use it... “Hold Glide’s ergonomic handle in one hand in front of you and walk at your own pace. Glide will simply guide you by steering its wheels”. As I learned during my hands-on demonstration of the cane, the unit's camera allowed it to avoid obstacles & hazards by directing me around them. At first, I felt like a drunken soldier as there were posts and chairs, it took me around with ease. I was told that with the obstacle detection for stationary and moving objects, as well as overhead hazards, I could confidently navigate high-traffic areas and find doors, elevators, stairs, & even the dead end of the hall. With its automatic braking when something runs or steps in front of you, but not so fast that you get hurt, like when you hit a crack on the sidewalk, and your white cane gets jammed into your stomach. The handle is like that on a Dyson vacuum, meaning it is a horizontal handle. More from the Company… “With its camera and sensors, Glide will detect and direct you to key waypoints and line-of-sight targets, applying haptic feedback, audio alerts, and, Navigate any terrain With rugged 7.5-inch wheels, Glide easily handles everything from smooth pavement to rough unpaved paths. It’s water-resistant and can even be used in rainy conditions. Pre-mapped and freestyle walking by Pre-programing your most frequent routes or simply start walking without a set destination in mind. Glide gives you the freedom to move on your own terms”. During my “test drive”, I found that it did accomplish all of these things. The Glide, of course, is expensive. But they are setting up a payment program for them. After testing it out, I have decided that it is fantastic if you are an active person who does not use a guide dog. The Glide cane was never designed to replace a guide dog or our regular white cane. It is designed to make it easier to use technology to get around, but not to replace our senses. By that I mean, if you come to a corner, don't rely on the cane to tell you that it's safe to cross; you still have to listen and pay attention to the traffic and your surroundings. This is something you do with both a guide dog and a white cane. Here is the contact information for the Glide by Glidance. AI Mobility and Navigation Aid for Blind & Low Vision | Glidance I hope this helps…. Next up, I want to cover some of the apps I have found useful in my travels. If you have anything you would like to share, both good and bad, they are welcome. The weather is getting better, and I hope to see many of you at the upcoming gatherings. I’ll be at the Tea Party on May 30th. Come and introduce yourself and let me hear your ideas….y |
2026 Hull Foundation Upcoming Events and SeminarsMay 5-8 – Technology Sight Loss Seminar June 7-12 - Friends and Alumni Retreat July 7-10 - Daily Living Seminar August 16-22 - Summer Adventure Retreat September 22-25 - Cooking Sight Loss Seminar November 17-20 - Arts and Hobbies Seminar December 14-18 - Winter Getaway 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 at 503.668.6195 |
FUNDRAISERS
April 18 - April showers bring May flowers plant sale and Community Yard sale - call office for details.
May 30 - Annual Tea Party in the Rainbow Lodge Presale tickets OPEN NOW, call office for details.
August 1 - Golf Tournament at Mt View Golf Course in Boring. Call office to sign up and get information. |
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.
At this time, we are raising funds for a hot water heater for Morgan Hall.
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.
💚
Thank You for Supporting Our Online Auction!
Thank you for participating in our online auction through GiveButter.
RECIPESour Cream Onion Dip by Tina Christian - Sight loss Instructor
1 16oz. container sour cream 1/2 lemon squeezed 3 tbsp onion powder 1 tbsp dried minced onion 1 tbsp dried parsley 1/4 tsp pepper 1/2 tsp garlic powder Pinch of salt 1 bunch of chives
Chop the chives finely and put them in a medium sized bowl with all the other ingredients and mix thoroughly. Refrigerate for 2 hours. If you want more onion flavor add a sautéed shallot that’s been finely diced. Serve this with your favorite chips, crackers, veggies, chicken strips, or fish. |
Did you know?...March is Save your Vision Month, Workplace Eye Awareness Month and World Optometry Day on March 24!
Hull Foundation and Learning Center offers personalized low vision assessments where guests 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.
TriMet NEXT In Gresham Oregon, the TriMet NEXT service is a new on demand transit option for seniors and people with disabilities. Check out the TriMet NEXT app, which allows users to request rides and connects to nearby transit centers. |
Jokes to Keep you Laughing…or Groaning!
Q. Why don't you iron four-leaf clovers?
A. Because you don't want to press your luck!
I signed up for the newsletter at my local ham market.
But all they sent was a bunch of spam
I’m reading a book on anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down.
Stay well, stay safe, and stay happy!
Contact Us
The Hull Foundation and Learning Center
Phone: 503-668-6195
Email: oralhull@gmail.com
Website: hullflc.org
Visit us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/OralHullPark/
On Instagram: www.instagram.com/hull_foundation/
