Initiatives
Visually Impaired Children’s Holiday Shopping Event
For over 40 years, with cooperation of Lions Clubs residing in Camden County, The New Jersey Commission for the Blind, and department stores in and around Cherry Hill, Dr. Lawrence & Anna Marie Ragone conceptualized, organized and oversaw the Visually Impaired Children’s Holiday Shopping Event, where community volunteers graciously assisted blind and visually impaired children in shopping and preparation of Holiday gifts for their family members, caregivers, teachers, and other recipients.
As a tribute to Dr. Ragone’s lifelong compassion for visually impaired children and devotion to philanthropy, the Dr. Lawrence & Anna Marie Ragone Foundation continues to grow this yearly initiative to aid more children in need and foster kindness and understanding towards the visually impaired population within the community-at-large.
We pledge to ensure this event continues for years. “As a family, we are proud and honored to be able to continue this wonderful event in memory of our father and mother, Anna Marie.” said Lawrence A. Ragone, Jr., Foundation President. “This fabulous event enables our parent’s legacy to continue in a way they would be very proud of,” added Mary Ann Ragone DeLambily, Foundation Treasurer.
Continuing Education Scholarships - Music and Photography Arts
After graduating from The Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1953, Dr. Lawrence Ragone served in the US Army as an optometrist at US Army Hospitals in California and Osaka, Japan. Enamored with the landscape and culture of the region, Dr. Ragone took to his camera and documented his travels resulting in hundreds if not thousands of photographs for his friends and family to enjoy. Both Lawrence and Anna Marie continued to appreciate the artform with their homes and workspaces adorned with photographs. Dr. Ragone pursued photography as a hobby for many years and often lent his skills for special events for the Lions Club, Sons of Italy, and the South Jersey Eye Center.
Dr. Ragone was also an accomplished musician for many years before entering private practice. He played the saxophone and clarinet in the Camden High School band and in 1943, organized his own professional 15-member big band performing throughout Camden and Greater Philadelphia. He was also the co-founder and President of the Delaware Valley Musician’s Club. He remained an avid saxophone player, performing along to standards of jazz greats such as Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Jimmy Dorsey, and more.
The Dr. Lawrence and Anna Marie Ragone Foundation is determined to leverage the profound cultural impact of Music & Photography Arts with several scholarship opportunities for at-risk and underserved youth in and around the Delaware Valley region.
2025-2026 Scholarship Information TBA
