April 29 is International Guide Dog Day, so it’s almost fitting that New York-based non-profit Guiding Eyes for the Blind has announced that retired New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has been appointed to its board of directors.
For Manning, who was named the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2016, this will represent his first-ever board role.
“I am thrilled to continue my journey with Guiding Eyes for the Blind as a member of the Board of Directors,” Manning said in a press release. “I have had years of practice working with a dedicated team of individuals towards a common goal. I hope to use that experience to champion Guiding Eyes, which means so much to me and my entire family.”
Manning is a long-time supporter of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, having spent the past 15 years volunteering for the organization.
“We are honored to appoint Eli Manning to the Guiding Eyes’ Board of Directors,” said Thomas Panek, President and CEO of Guiding Eyes for the Blind. “He has been a committed volunteer and partner to Guiding Eyes for many years and has a wealth of knowledge to bring to the table. We are all glad to be on Eli’s team.”
“Eli’s leadership and commitment are legendary, and Guiding Eyes will benefit tremendously from these skills,” said John Donnelly, Board Chair for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. “Eli has spent time with us and learned first hand how our dogs enable people to live independent lives.”
Since 1954, Guiding Eyes for the Blind has graduated more than 8,000 guide dogs. Six of those — all golden retrievers — were given names by Manning and his family and just a year ago.
