COLUMBIA, Md.—To raise awareness and fund research leading to treatments and cures for blinding retinal diseases, Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB), a driving force in the global development of treatments and cures for blinding diseases, will present its prestigious Visionary Award to Stephen Rappoport, CEO of L'Amy America and Noah Katz, president and CEO of PSK Supermarkets, at its annual gala, Night for Sight. Taking place on Thursday, May 9 at 6:00 p.m. ET at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan, Night for Sight will celebrate beacons of the fashion, food and finance industries as well as the blindness community.

The Foundation will honor Rappoport for his commitment to the vision community and leadership of one of the premier companies in the optical industry, FFB said. L’Amy America has won multiple industry awards, including being named Favorite Frame Company in the industry three years in a row, along with Favorite Men’s, Women’s, Teens and Kids optical and sun collections, with brands such as Champion and Nicole Miller via the 20/20 and VM EyeVote Awards.

In 2022, L’Amy America expanded its brand licensing by entering into a long-term partnership with Bradford and Bryan Manning, the founders of Two Blind Brothers (2BB). L’Amy will launch 2BB: optical at Vision Expo East this year. Rappoport also served on the board of The Vision Council from 2008 to 2014.

The Foundation is also honoring Noah Katz for his dedication to the communities PSK Supermarkets serves. Operating 13 world-class grocery stores under the banners of Foodtown, Freshtown and Pathmark, PSK Supermarkets is the only employee-owned supermarket company in the New York downstate region (employee ownership began in 2021). Embodying a family-oriented culture since its founding in 1956, PSK has grown to over 1,000 associates and evolved over time to meet the changing needs of their communities.

 
 Stephen Rappoport.
“The Foundation Fighting Blindness is excited to honor Stephen Rappoport and Noah Katz through Night for Sight,” said Jeff Klaas, chief strategy and innovation officer at FFB. “Their visionary leadership in their industries and support of the Foundation’s mission to drive treatments and cures for blinding diseases makes them well-deserving Visionary Award recipients. The celebration of these two leaders will highlight our shared dedication to our communities and our efforts to be beacons of hope.”

Individual tickets to Night for Sight are $1,000, and Next Generation (under age 35) are $750. Sponsorship opportunities are available and range from $2,500 to $100,000. Details about ticket and sponsorship information, are posted at Give.FightingBlindness.org/NightforSight or by contacting FFB's Katie Van Benschoten at KVanBenschoten@FightingBlindness.org or (212) 961-6881.

The Foundation thanks Visionary Champion National Partner Johnson & Johnson for their support of Night for Sight and Foundation Fighting Blindness events across the country.

Established in 1971, the Foundation Fighting Blindness is the world’s leading private funding source for retinal degenerative disease research. The Foundation has raised more than $915 million toward its mission of accelerating research for preventing, treating, and curing blindness caused by the spectrum of blinding retinal diseases including: retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration and Usher syndrome.