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World Sight Day Challenge in Canada - A Huge Success!
Almost CA$75,000 was raised from Canadian optometrists, their staff, patients and our corporate partners from the World Sight Day Challenge in October. Participating practices were very enthusiastic about how easy the Challenge was to run and how impressed patients were with their commitment. Patients were more than willing to donate too when they saw that their optometrist was making a significant commitment to Optometry Giving Sight. Plus many practices were able to obtain some great publicity in local media.
“We had fun wearing the T-shirts and promoting a very worthy cause. We also sent out a press release, which was printed in our local community paper”, said Dr Michelle Georgi from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Dr Jane Newman and Dr Theresa Donelson from Waterloo, Ontario added: “Our first World sight Day was a lot of fun and was met with an enthusiastic response from our patients. Next year we hope for an even better result.”
“All of our staff wore the T shirts (no exceptions) and we enjoyed patients comments” said Dr Len Koltun from Regina, Saskatchewan, President of CAO. “Everyone was proud to be a part of this project and gained insight (and were subsequently able to explain to patients) how the money we donate will be used for avoidable blindness in less fortunate countries. It was a mutually beneficial experience”.
Dressing the Tree
Dr Scott Brisbin’s practice in Sherwood Park, Alberta is a strong supporter of the Practice Giving Program, which involves both the practice and patients helping to give sight by making a donation to Optometry Giving Sight. In December, wanting to get into the Holiday Season spirit, Dr Brisbin asked his patients to donate in a new and fun way.
“We asked our patients to donate to Optometry Giving Sight in return for having their name go on a ball on our Christmas tree. We left it as a strictly passive “ask”, simply leaving 8x11 size notices by the 3 donation boxes we have scattered through the office, informing people about the opportunity to help provide an eye exam and a pair of glasses for $5. After just two weeks the boxes were completely full with over $200 in them. Patients have been very glad to contribute for such a meaningful cause.
“What I liked most was that it required no effort on the part of our staff or doctors and yet our production from the donation boxes in just 2 weeks more than quadrupled our usual monthly numbers. People spontaneously embrace giving in December. Obviously it will become an annual event for us”, explained Dr Brisbin.
This practice is all about giving!
“I wondered how to make fund raising a successful venture. Considering we have 21 staff plus our 5 doctors, we’re capable of doing so much,” reports Pauline Blachford, responsible for Patient and Community Relations at White Rock Optometry Clinic. Pauline is from Guyana and has worn glasses since age 13 so a vision charity working in the developing world is all the more personal. “For anything to work, you need someone passionate to drive it. I realized I could be that person!”
Pauline’s advice is simple – invite everyone to give. It’s all about asking with passion and thanking patients with sincerity, whether they decide to donate or not. Some staff members ask for a loonie or toonie. Others simply ask for a donation, especially after doing a no-charge service. Patients are never pressured, but warmly invited.
White Rock Optometry donated $6,000 in 2007 and has an aim of $7,000 for 2008!
“We exceeded our expectations because we became a strong team as our staff gained confidence. There was real enthusiasm, with lots of “high fives”, and there was joy in being part of a great cause.”
Pauline Blachford, White Rock Optometry Clinic
$5 for every Frame Purchased - an Easy and Visible Way to Support Optometry Giving Sight
“This fall, our optometrists pledged to donate $5 for every new frame purchased by our patients. We feel good about it, we can afford it, and it is a marketing tool. It raises a useful amount of cash for Optometry Giving Sight and is very easy to implement. We use it as one more reason why patients might want to buy their eyewear from us. We are planning promote this donation more consistently in the office, and on an in-office and website video currently in production.”
Dr. Cynthia P. Willis, Victoria Vision and Eye Care Centre
$5 million Allocated to Projects
Speaking at the American Academy of Optometry, the Executive Chairman and CEO of Optometry Giving Sight, Professor Brien Holden, announced that Optometry Giving Sight would disperse its first US$1,000,000 by the end of 2007. The funds will support projects that will give sight to people with refractive error blindness and impaired vision in Africa, Sri Lanka, East Timor and Indigenous Australia.
The funds have been raised by optometrists, their staff and patients in Australia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe.
“We are on track to raise the next US$4 million in 2008 and 2009, and the Board thought it wise for strategic planning and synergy purposes to allocate funds going forward to complete the current priority projects,” said Professor Holden. >more
Over a 100 Optometrists take the World Sight Day Challenge
Over a hundred Canadian optometrists have made donations in support of the World Sight Day Challenge, which was coordinated by Optometry Giving Sight throughout October.
“We are delighted with the response we have had to this inaugural Challenge,” said Dr. Joan Hansen, chair of Optometry Giving Sight in Canada. “There is a growing appreciation within optometry of the incredible impact that we as an industry can have on the lives of people who are blind or vision impaired just because they are unable to access basic eye care services.”
Here is some feedback from World Sight Day participants:
“I’m supporting Optometry Giving Sight by giving my eye exam fees on October 11th.” Dr Bénédicte Morisse, Baie Comeau, Québec
“All of our staff wore the T shirts (no exceptions) and we enjoyed patients’ comments. Everyone was proud to be a part of this project and gained insight (and were subsequently able to explain to patients) how the money we donate will be used for avoidable blindness in less fortunate countries around the world. It was a mutually beneficial experience.” Dr. Len Koltun, Regina, Saskatchewan, President of CAO
“I’m a parent as well as an eye health care professional”, explains Dr. Dorrie Morrow of Sherwood Park, Alberta, “That’s why supporting World Sight Day is such a priority for me. We have to find ways to provide regular eye care for children in countries where no such services have existed before.” After two years as president of the Canadian Association of Optometrists and chair of the “EYE SEE… EYE LEARN” program in Alberta, Dr. Dorrie Morrow knows all about campaigning for vision awareness. “Other children in the world can’t even dream of the kind of coverage we have for young people in Canada,” she notes.
“World Sight Day is a great teaching tool for us”, points out Dr. Susan Joe of Sherwood Park, Alberta. “It highlights blindness prevention and vision impairment due to refractive error. Many of our patients are amazed to learn that refractive error blindness can be treated.” A competitive athlete herself, Dr. Joe knows first hand how important good vision is. “Being able to see is such a huge part of proficiency in physical activity. I can’t imagine a child anywhere in the world not being able to go play soccer or run or ride a bike just because they don’t have a pair of glasses.”
CIBA Vision Staff Celebrate World Sight Day all Week Long!
CIBA Vision staff in Mississauga raised over $1000 for Optometry Giving Sight with a fun filled week of fundraising activities and individual donations. During the course of the week, they organized a 50/50 draw, a VIP breakfast, raffle for a “day of vacation” and a great tricycle race.
Optometry Giving Sight Launched in Quebec!
Optometry Giving Sight was officially launched in Quebec October 5-6, 2007 with an appearance at the Association des Optométristes du Québec Salon Vision. Jane Ebbern, Country Manager for Canada, staffed a booth there, answering doctors’ questions and signing up participants for the World Sight Day Challenge.
All Donations are Tax Deductible
OSI becomes Gold National In-Kind Sponsor
Optometric Services Inc (OSI), Canada’s Largest Network of Optometrists, has agreed to become a Gold National In-Kind Sponsor. As a National Gold In-Kind Sponsor, OSI will encourage its members, suppliers and staff to also support Optometry Gi
ving Sight, the international charity of choice of the Canadian Association of Optometrists, and now of OSI.
As Marcel Brin, President and CEO of OSI states: “We are pleased to partner with Optometry Giving Sight. We are making this initiative the main focus of our charitable efforts at the international level. As the largest network of clinic-owning optometrists in Canada, we believe that OSI's 710 clinics and over 1,400 optometrists can make a real difference in supporting Optometry Giving Sight raise the financial resources needed to help millions of people around the world see better.”
It's not to late to take World Sight Day Challenge!
At the July CAO biennial Congress, Optometry Giving Sight launched its exciting World Sight Day Challenge in Canada. Those attending the CAO Congress were the first to learn the details. Canadian optometrists are being asked to commit to Optometry Giving Sight by October 11, World Sight Day, by
Donating their eye exam revenue from World Sight Day
Or
Signing up for a regular monthly or annual donation
And note that the World Sight Day Challenge continues well beyond World Sight Day. You can donate your eye exam revenue from ANY day (and we will provide support materials) or you can sign up for a regular donation at any time. It’s never too late.
The entire Executive Committee of the CAO has signed on for the World Sight Day Challenge. Len Koltun, CAO President says, "I would urge every CAO member to take the time to learn more about Optometry Giving Sight and the valuable work they are committed to. I believe then you too, as well as your staff and patients, will appreciate the genuine need to get connected globally to support this worthy cause and give back that precious gift of sight to millions of needy and worthy fellow human beings."
Click here for more details
Birthday Bash Helps Optometry Giving Sight!
“Dr. Lil Linton, a CAO Councillor from Perth-Andover, New Brunswick had a big birthday celebration recently and instead of receiving gifts from the many attendees, she asked them to make a donation to her charity of choice, Optometry Giving Choice. A great time was had by all and over $700 was collected to help provide sustainable primary eye care programs in the developing world.
Dr. Linton states, ““I am 100% committed to Optometry Giving Sight and truly feel that supporting this cause is part of our responsibility as Canadian optometrists. We have a duty to contribute to eliminating uncorrected refractive error in the developing world and Optometry Giving Sight provides the long term, sustainable global solution.”
CIBA Vision’s Platinum National Sponsorship
CIBA Vision Canada announced at the CAO Congress, it’s Platinum National Sponsorship of Optometry Giving Sight. It is committed to support the elimination of one of the leading causes of avoidable blindness and low vision globally – uncorrected refractive error.
CIBA Vision will be encouraging its staff, customers and industry partners throughout Canada to support Optometry Giving Sight. This partnership helps CIBA Vision achieve its mission to provide “better eyes for a better life”. The company sees one of its responsibilities to the global community as helping people in all parts of the world gain access to regular, quality vision care services.
CAO – Silver In-Kind National Sponsor
In addition to designating Optometry Giving Sight as the official International Charity of Choice of the CAO in January 2005, the CAO has now become a Silver In-Kind National Sponsor. As a sponsor, the CAO will now receive more visible recognition for the ongoing support it provides to Optometry Giving Sight in the way of CJO and IN FOCUS articles, ads, mailings to members, and legal and administrative support. The CAO logo will be displayed next to the logos of other corporate sponsors of Optometry Giving Sight from July.
Raising Funds With Eyeballs!
Dr. Roxanne Arnal of Prairie Vision Centre was one of the very first supporters of Optometry Giving Sight’s Practice Giving program, starting in the summer of 2006. The practice has an impressive stream of regular patient support for Optometry Giving Sight, which they matched each month.
To celebrate their 10th Anniversary in May the practice tried something a little bit different…
Staff made up paper eyeballs with blue, green & brown irises that patients, staff and suppliers could purchase for a minimum $1 donation. The eyeballs were then decorated and stuck on the reception desk. This created a fresh approach for staff and patients raising $325, which the office then matched.
Calgary Society of Optometrists
Jane Ebbern, Country Manager for Canada, presented to 75 optometrists and ophthalmologists at the annual Calgary Society of Optometrists dinner on June 18th. She spoke about the origins of Optometry Giving Sight and the two-step fundraising program of regular giving and then patient contributions. The presentation was well received with a number of optometrists signing up to participate immediately.
Viscon Becomes First Canadian National Sponsor
Optometry Giving Sight in Canada is delighted to announce its first corporate sponsor. As of January 4th, 2007, Viscon Contact Lens Manufacturing Limited, of Edmonton, became a Supporter National Sponsor of Optometry Giving Sight. Their president, Rikke Doojtes said, “Viscon is proud to play a role in such a beneficial cause.”
Centennial Optical Follows as Second National Sponsor
On March 6th, Centennial Optical agreed to become a Supporter National Sponsor. Centennial Optical Limited was founded in 1967 by Roger dePinto and the name Centennial is a tribute to Canada’s first 100 years of growth and success. Bruno Gismondi, their Director of Advertising and Marketing states: “It’s important to help the optometric community worldwide.”
New Options Available in Practice Giving
At the suggestion of some of our pilot program optometrists, we have recently added other options to our Practice Giving program. In this fashion you can choose the one that suits your practice the best.
How does it work?
The concept behind Practice Giving is simple. Participating practices make a commitment to raising funds for Optometry Giving Sight in one of the ways listed below – and then invite their patients to contribute in some way.
Generally, this will be in the form of a small donation to Optometry Giving Sight when the patient comes into your office for an eye examination, new pair of glasses, or even a simple screw repair. This donation can be as little as a few dollars – and can be added to a patient’s invoice or collected separately – whichever is more convenient for the practice and/or patient.
So how can you and your practice get involved? There are now 3 options:
Option A:
Matching Donations. The practice invites the patient to donate a loonie or toonie, nothing more, which the practice undertakes to match. This can be a one to one match, limited to a maximum monthly amount or a monthly guarantee.
Option B: New
Product Related Donations. The practice donates an agreed amount from the sale of one or more of its products (for example, $5 from the sales of every pair of glasses) and advises the patient that this amount will be donated to Optometry Giving Sight. The practice may also choose to display an authorized donation box in their practice and to invite donations in return for screw repairs etc.
When patients come in for simple adjustments to their eye glasses, screw repairs or new nose pads and they ask, "what do I owe you?" why not respond, "no charge but if you would like to donate to our charity of choice, Optometry Giving Sight, the donation box is there", and gesture to your donation box. This is an easy request since the patients are already asking, "what do I owe you?"
Option C: New
Special Promotions. Here the practice chooses to support the World Sight Day Challenge by agreeing to donate a day’s revenue on World Sight Day (October 11), and by inviting their patients to add a dollar or more to their bill throughout the month of October.
Remember, it is the financial commitment demonstrated by the practice that makes the Practice Giving program so powerful and helps to build a tremendously positive rapport with your patients. Experience shows that at least 70% of patients will happily match your leadership gift.
As Ken Hrubeniuk, Office Manager for Prairie Vision Centre in Wainwright, Alberta comments, “It has been exciting to see how easy it has been to collect money for this program from our patients. Yesterday we had a single patient donation of $50.”
Participation in the Practice Giving program also provides an opportunity for great practice publicity. We can supply you with regular articles and information for your local papers, practice newsletters and even recall notices. It’s a great way to build your practice’s image in the community. Just check out the attached article from the Wetaskiwin Times Advisor and the excellent publicity it produced for Johnson, Oliver and Martin’s practice.
Great Generosity from “Tick Yes To OGS” by the Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta Associations.
Over $50,000 was raised from Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia optometric associations in their 2007 dues mailing by members who “Ticked Yes To OGS”. And in a remarkable show of generosity for a new grad, Dr. Nohad Teliani, a new AAO member, “ticked yes to OGS” for a total donation of $600 – more than her annual dues amount. When asked about her motivation to give, Nohad replied, “It is important for optometrists to give back, both to their profession and to the global community and Optometry Giving Sight was a way of doing both. Optometry Giving Sight is Optometry’s solution to this global problem.”
She first heard about Optometry Giving Sight, the CAO International Charity of Choice, in the AAO information letter that was included with the dues invoice last fall. She urges doctors to support Optometry Giving Sight if they aren’t already doing so. “Why not make a monthly donation in the $25- $50 range per month ($300- $600 annually) or get involved with their Practice Giving program? Every bit counts and there is such need for primary eye care in the developing world.”
Great Support from University of Waterloo Students - Over $750 Raised!
"Our first campaign for Optometry Giving Sight was donating a toonie and giving up coffee for a day; our mini version of ODs donating an eye exam. It is important for Canadians to realize how lucky we are to live in a place where healthcare is easily accessible. Many Optometry students live a very active lifestyle, so it was easy to recruit enthusiastic players fora Badminton tournament in support of optometry Giving Sight. It was lotsof fun and good exercise at the same time. In addition we sold pizza at ourcurling Optomspiel 2007 to support the cause.
Overall, it was a great opportunity for University of Waterloo Optometry students to contribute to the effort of eliminating preventable blindness in developing countries. Why is Optometry Giving Sight important? It's Optometry's charity of choice, so why not start when we're students? Hopefully other students will continue to host events in our footsteps".
Lesley Ho and Micah Luong, University of Waterloo Optometry students
