To raise awareness of its global impact and encourage fundraising through the end of the year, Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has kicked off its “Light Up Their Eyes This Holiday Season” campaign. The appeal features stories of how the organization—through the generosity of individual and corporate donors—has provided the gift of sight to people around the world.
Throughout the coming weeks, the campaign will highlight a variety of real-life cases, including those of children in Zambia and Haiti who are better able to learn in school after support from OGS enabled them to be fit with their first pairs of glasses. Another tells the story of a health care professional in India who now incorporates education about primary eye care into her work with her community thanks to OGS-funded training.
“We are so proud of—and grateful for—the progress we’ve made in our mission to end preventable blindness and vision impairment by creating long-term sustainable solutions where they are needed most. But there is always more work to be done, and we can only do it with the help of donors. Every dollar counts,” said Lois Schoenbrun, CAE (Ret.), FAAO, OGS Executive Director, North America. “We hope that by showcasing the personal stories of those whose lives have been changed as a result of our support, people will be inspired to give during the holidays to this important and worthy cause.”
With the support of the ophthalmic industry, optometrists, patients, and other donors, Optometry Giving Sight funds programs to develop sustainable infrastructure, train local eye care professionals, and deliver desperately needed vision care in underserved communities both at home and around the globe.
Over the last fifteen years, OGS funding has provided basic eye care services to more than 8 million people, assisted with training more than 14,000 eye care personnel, established more than 130 vision centers, and served people in more than 40 countries. In the last two years alone, OGS has provided funding to more than 30 project partners around the world, totaling more than $1.5 million in grants. For more information or to donate, visit givingsight.org.
