Testimonials
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
“It’s like anything else - you just have to decide to do it! The materials make it easy to implement in the practice. It’s such a worthwhile program that it makes me feel good about my job each day. I’m proud that we’re part of the program.
“It’s so simple. Dr. Connors presented it to us on World Sight Day last year and we began the program THAT DAY. You just have to do it!
“I think that the doctor matching the donation really helps to validate the program with the patient. It shows the doctors believe in the cause.
“Keeping track of the donations is really easy! We just added an OGS code to our accounting system. And we track this so our staff knows at all times where we stand versus our target. Then at the end of the month, the office manager sends in the donation. It couldn’t be simpler!
“We are passionate about Optometry Giving Sight and now it is just an ongoing part of our day-to-day office activities. Amy and I are at the front desk and it just rolls off our tongues!”
Andrea Frey
Front Desk Manager - Isthmus Eye Care, Middleton, Wisconsin
“Wow . . . Optometry Giving Sight is a great program and our patients seem
to love participating! We look forward to working with you helping to make
a difference for people around the world.”
Ron Gall, O.D.
Gall & Associates, Oakville, Ontario
“It has exceeded our expectations…I sent in a check of more than $500 for the month of May, which includes matching funds. I’m impressed how easy it is to raise money. I think it is important to give back not only to your local community but to worldwide problems.”
Jill Geering Matheson, O.D.
Alaska Vision Center, Juneau, Alaska
“We’ve gotten a very generous response. Overall, we receive about 250-275 patient donations a month. We ask each patient to add $1 or $3 to the eye care fee they are charged. We also let patients know that OGS is our charity of choice and that we believe in the organization so much that we will match patient contributions.”
Vic Connors, O.D.
Isthmus Eye Care, Middleton, Wisconsin
“We ask that each patient donate a $1. But I would estimate that 20-30% give more.”
80-85% of Dr. Weiner’s patients choose to donate to OGS.
Barry M. Weiner O.D.
Phoenix, Maryland
"Everyone's on the same page with this. We've all just jumped in and started and so far it’s gone very well. Most people are happy to donate for this cause. It's not a hard program to sell."
Tracie Kozak
Optometric Assistant of Prairie Vision Centre
Wainwright, Alberta
