Local activities / news / events
Decorate to Donate!
“As part of our "Decorate to Donate" Christmas fundraiser, the optometrists at Focal Point invited patients to donate to Optometry Giving Sight in return for having their name written on a decoration on the Christmas tree displayed in the foyer*. Our doctors then match the total donations collected during this program.
“Our office staff members are also encouraged to make a donation in lieu of buying our optometrists a Christmas gift. The doctors match those donations as well.”
* We just use a non-permanent marker on the ornaments and wipe them clean from year to year. We just make sure we get the balls on the tree without smudging them”
Laurie Nakonechny
Focal Point Comprehensive Vision Care, Morden, MB
World Sight Day Challenge 2009 – a big success!
The World Sight Day Challenge 2009 was a big success worldwide with tens of thousands of optometrists, opticians, practice staff, patients, students, optical companies and their staff participating during October. Participation from Canadian optometrists significantly increased this year, with great publicity for both the profession and the cause. Almost 400 optometrists participated in some way, many of them pledging a day of eye exam fees or making a substantial donation, and many created a fun office celebration for both staff and patients.
Canadian optometric corporations including Alcon, Marchon Eyewear Inc, Viva International, Centennial Optical, Scotia Bank, Optiq and Rodenstock joined in with employee fundraising events and corporate gifts. CIBA VISION offices in 20 countries participated in the World Sight Day Company Challenge. Students from the University of Waterloo also participated with some impressive fundraising and with every freshman purchasing a WSDC t-shirt. Final results will be available in January.
Here is what FYi doctor, Len Koltun, had to say about participating in the Challenge this year:
“I am pleased and proud to say that our office participated in its third annual OGS World Sight Day Challenge!! All the Drs, staff and many patients are becoming familiar with the message and the value of this worthwhile charity. Besides the balloons and posters in the office, we were also very pleased that our local newspaper provided recognition through a very complimentary article featuring a picture of myself and profiling the OGS message through an interview and quotes from our office (Regina Eye Centre) and the Lakewood Eye Health Centre.
It was also particularly gratifying to receive the following email from patient Lyle Benko - ' I am proud to be one of your patients and see the contributions you are making to the local and international community'. I think Lyle's comments echo the sentiments of everyone who was in any way even remotely aware of this noble cause. Patients and staff have all become increasingly aware of the importance of vision in our own lives and wish everyone, throughout the world, could enjoy good useful vision. We are hopeful that our efforts help achieve this goal.”
Dr. Len Koltun, Regina, SK , Past President of the CAO
To read more comments about the WSDC, click here.
The Thought of Holiday Shopping Getting you Down?
Why not give a Gift of Vision™ this Holiday Season?
The Optometry Giving Sight Gift of Vision™ online catalogue contains exciting ways to provide a gift that lasts a lifetime!
No more waiting in lines or searching for parking spaces - the Gift of Vision™ makes holiday shopping as easy as ABC. Make a donation in lieu of a present with a Gift of Vision™:
A) Go online and choose your donation gift.
B) Your friend, relative or colleague receives a personalized card and information about your gift.
C) The proceeds of your Gift of Vision donation will provide people living without eye care with one of the most treasured gifts of all – the gift of vision.
Gifts start at just $25 which will provide an eye exam and glasses for 5 people. Other gifts include the provision of vision screenings for six schools in a developing country. Check the full range of gifts at www.givingsight.org/giftofvision.
All purchasers of a Gift of Vision™ will receive a tax receipt for the gift amount.
And if you don’t want to receive another pair of socks this Holiday Season why not put a Gift of Vision™ on your wish list?
"I bought nine donation gifts from the Gift of Vision catalogue last year and it let me give a gift with some real meaning and impact rather than giving yet one more "thing" to someone who already had everything. Plus it sure made my holiday shopping easy. And giving an optometric gift like this just reinforced what I do in my profession", commented Dr. Allan Jones, Calgary, AB.
Upcoming Events
Learn more about Optometry Giving Sight at booths or presentations at these upcoming conferences.
