Visual Bucket List Foundation

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$18,000 Goal

Mission. Journey. Impact.

The Visual Bucket List Foundation exists to give children facing severe vision loss or total blindness the chance to create meaningful, lasting visual memories. Moments vivid enough to stay with them even when their world goes dark.

Imagine, for a moment, losing your sight. What would you want to see before the day came? For the children we serve, these wishes are deeply personal. Our mission is to help them experience these unforgettable moments and check off the items on their personal visual bucket lists.

Aaron turns 16 in 2027. For most teenagers that birthday means a driver’s license, but retinitis pigmentosa is taking Aaron’s vision, so his 16th will look different. Instead, Aaron dreams of seeing Utah’s national parks while he still can. “I love the colors of them,” he says. “They have arches that look really cool, and they have really good mountains to rock climb.” As his mom, Lauren, puts it, this wish “would give Aaron something that Retinitis Pigmentosa can never take away from him: memories.” In our tenth year and with 32 wishes granted, the Visual Bucket List Foundation is raising $18,000 by 7 p.m. on December 1 to send Aaron and his family to Utah. Your gift helps him see those colors in real life, climb with his family beside him, and carry the memory for a lifetime.

What We Do

The Visual Bucket List Foundation gives children up to the age of 18 who are facing severe vision loss the chance to create an unforgettable memory. One that is meaningful enough to last a lifetime. Each experience is completely personalized, shaped by the child's unique wish and ability.

Since launching in 2016, VBLF has granted 32 wishes! These include a variety from a VIP stay at one of the National Parks to stepping into the cockpit with the Navy Blue Angels. In 2026 alone, we granted 4 wishes: Riley’s trip to Paris, Shane’s trip to Rome, Skylar’s VIP Zoo Safari at the Columbus Zoo, and Cameron’s day at the Ohio State vs. Michigan game! Each one was tailored to that child’s own wishes. Your support helps us create more unforgettable memories like these, starting with Aaron’s trip to Utah.

Why Support VBLF?

 

VBLF was founded on the belief in paying forward the many kindnesses shown to our co-founders, and that commitment begins right here in our home community of Richland County. As the only nonprofit of its kind in the United States, serving children nationwide, we have a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight not only on our mission but also on our hometown.

Beyond granting experiences, VBLF actively builds partnerships that raise awareness about visual impairments. We collaborate with area service organizations, work closely with the Buckeye Imagination Museum and host community events alongside local partners; such as Eyes in the Sky, where past grantees enjoyed a memorable tethered hot air balloon ride. VBLF strives to raise awareness of visual impairments and their impact on children and families.