For nearly a decade, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.’s Summerville, South Carolina facility has stood as a hub of purpose-driven manufacturing — blending precision, innovation, and empowerment. At the heart of its success is a small but mighty team of employees who are blind or visually impaired, each contributing with skill, pride, and resilience. Among them is Sharon Dunbar, a production worker and machinist whose nine-year journey embodies the spirit of the Lighthouse mission.
Meet Sharon Dunbar: Machinist, Sewer, Mentor
Sharon began her Lighthouse career in Summerville nine years ago. Although she briefly left for a job closer to home, she quickly returned — a testament to how deeply she values her work, her team, and the sense of purpose found at the Lighthouse.
“My title has remained the same, but I have gained skills through the years and now multitask across the production floor,” Sharon explains. “We’re a small team, so we each wear many hats.”
And Sharon wears hers with mastery.
She operates a range of machines, including CNC machines, sewing machines, and specialized equipment like felt cutters and talking scales. Her skills span both aerospace-grade metal cutting and intricate textile sewing for military equipment. Her adaptability makes her indispensable — not just to production, but to the culture of excellence in Summerville.
CNC Machining for Aerospace: Precision in Every Cut
Sharon is one of the lead operators on the facility’s CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines, which are used to fabricate aerospace components destined for customer’s aircrafts. These parts — washers, brackets, plates — may look similar, but Sharon knows better.
“They may appear the same,” she says, “but even a tiny difference — the size, or the hole being in a different place — means it’s for a completely different function.”
Her responsibility includes programming the machine, calibrating it precisely, and ensuring flawless output. She even helps prepare parts for the deburring process, ensuring they leave Summerville free of imperfections and ready for the next stage in Seattle.
Sewing for Military Readiness: Dry Bags and Mollies
Sharon also works on the production of military dry bags, also called stuff sacks, which keep soldiers’ belongings dry in the field. She uses two different industrial sewing machines for this line — one to bar tack webbing and buckles, and another to sew patches.
“The first step is quite simple. The second one is more detailed and hands-on,” she says.
These sewn components are sent to Seattle for final assembly before being delivered to the U.S. military. Sharon enjoys the challenge of handling heavy-duty materials and adapting her sewing expertise for industrial-grade applications.
She also contributes to the Molle line, a critical and high-volume product for military use. As a product that’s both intricate and essential for soldier readiness, it requires exceptional attention to detail. Sharon inspects labeling and construction to ensure every piece meets military standards before shipment.
Manufacturing with Purpose
Sharon’s favorite part of her job? The CNC machine keeps her learning. The sewing machines provide rhythm and flow. And the E-Nut line, another aerospace product, brings variety to her day. But above all, it’s the sense of purpose that keeps her coming back.
“When I first came to the Lighthouse, I didn’t know what to expect,” she recalls. “But being here — working with people who understand your challenges, encouraging each other — it gives you a real sense of purpose.”
Her journey with vision loss began early in life due to complications from childhood measles. Despite receiving a diagnosis of progressive myopia and scarring in her teens, Sharon remained resilient. After relocating to South Carolina and losing more of her vision in her 40s, she found a professional home at the Lighthouse — one where her disability was not a limitation, but a strength.
The Heart of Summerville
As the Summerville facility celebrates nine years of production, employees like Sharon remind us what’s possible when accessibility meets opportunity. Whether she’s cutting aerospace-grade aluminum, sewing components for the military, or inspecting final products with meticulous care, Sharon’s dedication represents everything The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. stands for.
Skilled hands. Sharp minds. Unshakable pride. That’s Summerville. That’s Sharon Dunbar.
