By: Seth Johnson

Having grown in just about every way since its start in 2012, IBCF’s annual Through the Looking Glass Gala would not be where it is today without the vast network of supporters who make it possible. Leading the charge on these efforts, the foundation is fortunate to have Gala Committee Co-Chairs Lindsey Jordan and Amanda Madore working closely with Indiana Blind Children’s Foundation CEO Laura Alvarado to ensure the event continues to be a success.

First held in 2012 at the Old National Centre in Downtown Indianapolis, the Through the Looking Glass Gala was an idea that was originally dreamt up by Lindsey Jordan after she attended a graduation ceremony at Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired on behalf of her then employer Allergan.

“After the graduation, I started inquiring,” recalls Jordan, who’s worked in the eyecare industry for many years now. “I talked to the Indiana Blind Children’s Foundation director at the time and started brainstorming. I just said, ‘I want to throw a Gala to help raise money for the school.’ And she was like, ‘Uh, okay. Have you ever done that before?’ And I was like, ‘No, but I’ll figure it out.’ So I gathered about four or five of my closest friends at the time and said, ‘Let’s brainstorm our connections and contacts.’”

Having been involved with the fundraiser since its very first year, Amanda Madore was one of the eyecare associates Jordan recruited to help with the inaugural Gala. Now with 17 years of experience working in the eyecare industry and counting, she’s seen the Gala Committee grow into what it is today.

“Every year, we have different committee members,” Madore says. “There are some people that may only come on for a year. There are some people that stay on for two to three years. So with the changes in our committee, our connections change. Our connections to the community change. Our connections to businesses change. So over that 14 years, with all the amazing committee members we’ve had, I really think it’s helped us get connected to a lot more businesses in the community.”

In reflecting on the growth of the Gala since she came into her role nine years ago, Indiana Blind Children’s foundation CEO Laura Alvarado says the event’s evolution is directly tied to the foundation spreading its wings in recent years.

“I think what’s happened with the Gala compliments what’s happened with the foundation,” Alvarado says. “In the last nine years, the foundation has grown its partners and relationships in the community, which has helped us be creative with the event and reach out to different partner agencies that have a thread or connection to us as an organization. What I think is really great about the Gala is we think creatively about how some of these partners can weave themselves in.”

As the event has progressed over the years, the Gala’s leadership has also tried to be more intentional about highlighting IBCF’s overall mission and why everyone is gathered together in the first place.

“I think what we do now really weaves the kids into the program a lot more than we used to, which helps pull at the heartstrings,” Madore says. “We have to thank Laura for that. Laura is the one who made sure that became a thing. Laura is by far the most passionate, compassionate, amazing leader, and she’s the one that said, ‘You know what guys? I feel like we need to get back to the basics. We need to remind people why we’re here.’ Yes, it’s a heck of a party — we have a great time. But we need to remind people why we’re here and what we’re doing.”

Having now worked alongside Jordan and Madore for several years in organizing the Gala, Alvarado couldn’t be more grateful to have two impassioned leaders by her side in helping to grow the event.

“They’re passionate about our students being able to thrive and succeed once they leave ISBVI,” Alvarado says. “By having two co-chairs with that desire and passion, they bring that out into the world. So when they’re meeting for a work lunch or they’re out with friends, they’re talking about how this event truly makes that difference. And you can’t make up passion. So it’s really wonderful to have two brilliant women who use their voices and their networks to help us drive change for our students.”

Looking ahead to the 2025 Through the Looking Glass Gala, Jordan says she couldn’t be more excited to have Bradford and Bryan Manning of Two Blind Brothers as this year’s keynote speakers.

“Having Two Blind Brothers as the keynote speakers is just upping the game,” she says. “The national recognition that these guys have is great. I think it’s going to really hit home.”

Reflecting on what brings her the most fulfillment from putting on the Gala each year, Jordan says it ultimately comes back to the event’s overall impact on the lives of children.

“The biggest fulfillment is the very bitter end where we add the numbers up and see the energy that was in the room,” Jordan says. “The driver has always been helping out the foundation and the kids at the school and getting them the educational and technological components they need to thrive as they progress through life. This is a fun event, and it’s party planning, if you will. But at the end of the day, it comes back to why we’re doing what we’re doing.”

Follow this link and purchase tickets to the 2025 Through the Looking Glass Gala today.