Local activities / news/ events
AllAboutVision.com Increases its Support for Optometry Giving Sight
AllAboutVision.com has hit the ground running in 2010. In addition to increasing its sponsorship to a Silver National Sponsor level, they are once again making a donation to Optometry Giving Sight for every practice that signs up for its free practice Web site “hit counter.”
Now through April 30, 2010, just add the AllAboutVision.com recommended linking text or hit counter to your practice’s home page and AllAboutVision.com will donate $50 to Optometry Giving Sight.
AllAboutVision.com provides patient education about all aspects of eye health, and enlightens visitors about the many options that can enhance their vision, and their lives. The Web site has been online for more than 10 years and is expected to serve more than 11 million visitors in 2010.
Thanks AllAboutVision.com and keep the hits coming! For more information, visit the Eye Care Practitioner section at AllAboutVision.com
Collapsed-office-in-Haiti. Credit UN Photo / Sophia-Paris
Haiti Emergency - Optometry Responds
As the focus shifts from emergency relief, Optometry Giving Sight leads optometry in raising funds for the survivors of the devastating earthquake.
Imagine trying to rebuild your life and care for your family with what little you have left. Now imagine doing that without the glasses that allow you to see clearly.
We urgently need your help.
Optometry Giving Sight is working with partner organizations including Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH), the International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE) and the Caribbean Optometrists Association (CARIOA) to identify and fund projects that will provide emergency relief and assist in the reconstruction process through the establishment of sustainable vision care.
Please show your support and donate today.
Optometry Students Take the Challenge
Students at Optometry Schools across the United States came out in force to take the World Sight Day Challenge and raised more than $5,000 to help give sight to millions in need.
Denise Saunders, Class of 2011 at Nova Southeastern University School of Optometry in Florida, was introduced to Optometry Giving Sight at an industry trade show and felt a strong passion for our mission. She recruited other students to help and enlisted the support of local businesses. Best Buy donated several prizes for a raffle and Denise and her team raised $961 from students and faculty. Sarah Brehm, another resourceful Nova student, was able to tap into Bank of America’s Matching Gift Program turning the donation to Optometry Giving Sight into $1,922!
Students at the Indiana University’s School of Optometry raised $825 by raffling donated optical equipment. Student champion, Ton Van Alstine, told students how just $5 can change a life. He asked them to think of someone - a friend, roommate or relative - and have a meaningful conversation about the injustice of growing up blind in the world today simply for lack of an eye exam and pair of glasses.
Other Optometry Schools that took the World Sight Day Challenge include the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Southern College of Optometry, Salus University, University of Houston, University of Missouri-St Louis, Northeastern Oklahoma, Ohio State, and the Illinois College of Optometry.
It was evident this year that there is a great passion among the next generation of Optometrists to help give sight to those most in need.
Front Range Eye Associates Make World Sight Day Challenge a Team Sport
Front Range Eye Associates in Broomfield, CO, went all out for the World Sight Day Challenge this year, involving staff, patients and even suppliers in their celebration. The practice donated eye exam fees from World Sight Day and gave every patient a World Sight Day Challenge t-shirt. Dr. Mary Anne Murphy and Dr. Scott Gunderson were delighted that Optos, a retinal imaging company, committed to donate fees for any Optomap scans carried out in the practice that day - a fantastic addition to their fundraising efforts.
“Roughly 1 out of every 10 people on this planet are blind or visually impaired simply because they do not have the means of obtaining an appropriate pair of glasses,” explained Dr. Scott Gunderson, optometrist at Front Range Eye Associates. “The idea that someone could go through life with debilitating blindness that could be cured in an instant with a pair of glasses is unacceptable to me.” Thanks to Dr. Murphy, Dr. Gunderson and everyone at Front Range Eye Associates for their outstanding efforts.
To read more about other practices celebrating the World Sight Day Challenge, please click here
SLACK Inc. Bakes – and Eats – for a Cause
Employees of the Wyanoke Group and SLACK, Inc., publishers of Primary Care Optometry News, took the World Sight Day Company Challenge again this year and actually dressed down for the occasion. On World Sight Day, each employee who donated $5 to Optometry Giving Sight was able to wear jeans that day. Staff member, Stephanie Vasta, also showcased her culinary talent and baked “eyeball” cookies. She sold them for $1 per bag with all the money going to Optometry Giving Sight. The team at Wyanoke Group and SLACK, Inc. contributed $610 to help give sight to those most in need.
Click here for more stories about the World Sight Day Challenge.
Companies Help Give Sight at Vision Expo West
Thanks to several companies who came up with creative ways to raise funds at Vision Expo West, the first week of October in Las Vegas, many people will receive the gift of sight. Marchon’s regular customer party was transformed into a fundraising event for The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind and Optometry Giving Sight with each organization receiving $20,000! Bright Displays donated an optometry office display cabinet for a silent auction at their booth. Dr Joe Vansuch of Vansuch Optometric Inc. in Orange, California, was the highest bidder at the Bright Display charity auction. His bid of $650 will go to Optometry Giving Sight. Signet Armorlite provided free chair massages for weary convention attendees, but asked them to make a donation to Optometry Giving Sight, raising $196. Thanks to all of these companies who went the extra mile to make a difference.
Upcoming Events
Look for Optometry Giving Sight at the following conferences and meetings:
