VisionCorps Celebrates 100 Years of Service with Community-Focused Exhibit
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Asia Tabb
AIRED; February 10, 2026
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VisionCorps is marking a major milestone this year: 100 years of serving individuals who are blind or vision impaired. The organization, founded in 1926 to assist veterans returning from World War I with vision loss, has grown into a multi-county agency providing rehabilitation, prevention, and employment services.
“VisionCorps has been a staple in Lancaster County for 100 years and that number to me just shows how steadfast we are in believing in our mission and doing everything we can to keep it going for over 10 decades now,” said Megan Sofilka Tomsheck, VisionCorps president and CEO. “It’s really just an honor to be in this position at this point in time and guiding us into the next 100.”
Tomsheck emphasized the importance of remembering the organization’s roots while highlighting how its work has expanded. “We started to help these veterans returning that were not receiving care for their vision that they may have lost during the war. And now we are in a position where we support war fighters through our industrial division, making helmet pads and other types of protective gear for the military. We continue to help anyone, including veterans, that needs our support from our rehabilitation services, prevention, as well as employment opportunities.”
Over the years, VisionCorps has operated under several names, reflecting its growth and evolving mission. “We have grown from just serving Lancaster County into Lebanon County, York, Adams, Chester,” Tomsheck said. “The bigger thing for me is we have taken the word ‘blind’ out of our name because we want to focus on the vision that people do have. Most of our clients have some vision that we’re working with, and we want anyone experiencing vision loss that impacts daily activities to come get help.”
In its early years, VisionCorps offered tactile skill training such as basket weaving and chair caning to provide meaningful employment opportunities. “Without the technology that we have now, this was something these individuals could do, feel like they were being productive members of society, and give back to a community that welcomed them home with open arms,” Tomsheck said.
Today, the organization has expanded beyond Pennsylvania, employing individuals in Little Rock, Arkansas, and providing remote work opportunities nationwide. “Revenue from that is supporting services up here in Pennsylvania,” Tomsheck said, highlighting the innovative ways VisionCorps sustains its mission.
Community engagement has always been central to VisionCorps’ work, from operating preschools and gift shops to hosting social and recreational programs. “The community has always been very important in us being able to provide these services,” Tomsheck said. “Support from the community makes this possible, and in turn, we like to give back in any way that we can.”
A notable historical highlight for the organization was a visit from Helen Keller in 1932, which inspired the local Lions Clubs to support VisionCorps’ mission—a partnership that continues today. “Her speech encouraged the Lions at the time to make VisionCorps their priority, and that has carried on through the decades,” Tomsheck said.
As part of its centennial celebration, VisionCorps is inviting the community to contribute to a special anniversary exhibit. “We put out this call and already have a handful of individuals who have reached out with white canes that were up in the attic—they were my great-grandmother’s,” Tomsheck said. “Passing these items on to us for us to share with the community will help complete the picture of VisionCorps’ history.”
The year-long celebration will include special displays and programs, culminating in a gala on Friday, October 2, alongside themed events like the Eye Drop 2026 rappelling event.
