Supporters of Optometry Giving Sight got their creative juices flowing for the 2018 World Sight Day Challenge to raise enough funds to deliver eye exams and glasses to over 190,000 people in need of eye care.
Over 160 companies and over 360 optometry practices around the world took part in the challenge raising over US$970,000!
“Every World Sight Day Challenge, we’re blown away by the generosity and loyalty of our supporters. We’re thankful for each one: from the large companies generously donating to the small practices passionately fundraising,” said Optometry Giving Sight’s Global Director of Development, Leigh Cleave.
“It only takes $5 to provide an eye exam and a pair of glasses to a child or adult in need, so we meant it when we say ‘every little bit counts’.”
The World Sight Day Challenge encourages the optometric community to donate and fundraise towards much-needed sustainable eye care projects overseas.
Companies, practices, optometry doctors and students joined together to hold bake sales, auctions, guessing competitions, talent shows, running events and walkathons, getting patients, employees and customers involved.
Longstanding Optometry Giving Sight supporter and Global Gold Sponsor CooperVision, had a record-breaking year raising over $260,000 through their remarkable employee fundraising campaign.
Over 40 global CooperVision sites and teams participated with employee contributions up by more than 35% year-over-year, supported by a matching commitment from the company. 2018 took CooperVision’s cumulative World Sight Day Challenge donations over the $1 million mark.
“Our record-breaking 2018 World Sight Day Challenge donation represents approximately 52,000 eye exams for people around the world who could otherwise be at risk of a range of vision challenges,” said CooperVision President, Dan McBride.
Vision Source®, another generous and long-standing partner, celebrated their 12th year participating in the World Sight Day Challenge. Over $220,000 was donated by Vision Source members and doctors, vendors, staff, family members and friends as part of their annual commitment to Optometry Giving Sight.
“I never cease to be amazed by the selfless generosity of the Vision Source family; we are proud to partner with Optometry Giving Sight as Vision Source’s international charity of choice,” said Vision Source President and Chief Executive Officer, Jim Greenwood.
In Canada, Westgroupe launched social media campaign #WithoutMySight, inspired by their Challenge Champion Hani a former Syrian refugee who is legally blind. The challenging initiative encouraged participants to complete an everyday task blindfolded.
The University of Montreal was the highest fundraising optometry school raising over $7,000 through several events including a silent auction and a 5@10 social night.
Click HERE for the full press release.
