By: Seth Johnson

During the late ‘80s, longtime Indianapolis car salesman Terry Lee remembers his mother Clara finding great joy while working as a dorm parent at Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ISBVI).

“She’d come home and have so many great stories about how sweet the kids were and how much she really enjoyed her job working with the kids,” Terry says.

Now years later, Terry Lee is honoring his mother while also continuing the work of his Terry Lee Foundation by sponsoring the keynote speaker at this year’s Through the Looking Glass Gala benefiting the Indiana Blind Children’s Foundation (IBCF). Set to take place on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the private residence of Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, this year’s racing-themed Gala will welcome Dan Parker as its keynote speaker. Known for being the World’s Fastest Blind Racecar Driver with a Guinness World Record speed of 211 mph, Parker will share his story of perseverance with the sold-out Gala crowd, while also having his record-setting red Corvette on display.

A household name in the realm of Indianapolis car salesmen, Terry Lee first got his start in the automotive industry at the age of 21, when he went to work for Tom Wood as a finance manager. Now decades later, with several car dealerships under his belt, Lee is retired from the automotive industry, having recently sold his final two dealerships to automotive tycoon Roger Penske.

“I had a good career in the car business — loved every minute of it,” Terry Lee says. “It was just the perfect timing for me to sell to somebody that’s a great buyer like Roger Penske.”

After receiving decades of support from the Central Indiana community while working in the automotive industry, Terry Lee is now devoted to giving back.

“Growing up, I learned what it takes to be successful in life — not just financially but emotionally as well. It takes help along the way,” Terry Lee says. “I look back at the help I received as a young kid, and the joy that my mother got out of giving back. It’s just very satisfying to give back to the community that’s helped you become successful.”

Having heard about ISBVI’s impact on students firsthand, Terry Lee couldn’t be happier to continue giving back to the school by supporting IBCF and its Gala.

“Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is just so important to so many children, so I’ve always been happy and proud to be involved with them,” Terry Lee says.

Learn more about 2024 Through the Looking Glass Gala keynote speaker Dan Parker via this link.