Teeing Off For Sight: Fundraiser’s Impact Never Fades

Teeing Off For Sight, The Cincinnati Eye Institute Foundation’s primary fundraising effort for its community outreach program, netted more than $30,000 this year that will help underwrite vision clinic expansions, including the purchase of equipment, staffing, and clinic operating expenses.

A total of 88 golfers participated in the event, held June 16 at the Blue Ash Golf Course. Fifth Third Bank was the presenting sponsor. Taking first place was Volpenhein Brothers Electric. Second-place honors went to St. Elizabeth Healthcare.

According to Foundation President and CEO Patrick J. Ward, this major fundraiser supports the vision clinics, which serve the community’s most vulnerable patients. He believes the clinics’ benefit to their clients reaches far beyond eye exams and glasses, however. “When people come to our clinics for help, we are their last hope for better vision,” Ward says. “Without prescription glasses or medical eye care to preserve their sight, they could lose their independence and their ability to support themselves and their families.”

The CEI Foundation saw a year of growth in 2016, with vision clinics opening in the Good Samaritan Hospital Free Health Center, and at Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Both clinics have allowed The Foundation to bring its services closer to the population that most needs this care.

Growth did not come without its challenges, however. In February of this year, the Roselawn Lutheran Church – the site of the first vision clinic, established in 2008 – notified The Foundation that the church would be closing its doors. To continue serving Roselawn clients, equipment was relocated to Clovernook, where clinic size was expanded from one volunteer ophthalmologist to two.

The CEI Foundation also decided, after much studying and evaluation, it could have its greatest impact by opening a free, adult vision clinic in Middletown. Primary Health Solutions, a federally qualified health center, has offered The Foundation space in its original building in the heart of Middletown. The new clinic is slated to open later this year.

The Cincinnati Eye Institute Foundation (CEIF) is located at 1945 CEI Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45242. For more information, call 866.466.2343, email Foundation@CEIFoundation.org or visit www.ceifoundation.org.