Giving back to our community is an integral part of who we are. Not only do we base our values locally, we strongly believe in philanthropy globally. We frequently travel throughout the world and donate our expertise, prescription glasses and glaucoma medications. We strive to spread our good will to gain our community's and your family's trust and loyalty for the rest of your lives.
In December Dr. Gifford travels to Haiti to volunteer with Village of Vision for Haiti Foundation. You can learn more about the organization by visiting http://www.vvhf.org/ Donations are encouraged at Red Eye through December. We use your donations (every penny to be exact) to purchase, fabricate and send back glasses for each child who needs them. If you unable to donate in person, please call the office to arrange a donation.
Dr Gifford is on the Board of Directors; a medical group based out of Minnesota called International Health Service. The group consists of about 100 surgeons, general practitioners, G.I. doctors, dentists, pharmacists, engineers, radio operators, and general helpers. The volunteers are teamed into roughly 10 teams that travel to 10 different villages in Honduras. The medications and instruments used by the group are purchased from private donations and fundraising events. The glasses which are used are donated through the Wisconsin Lions Club then shipped to International Health Service; in Minnesota. From there they are picked up by a semi-truck in December and driven down to Louisiana, where they are put an a barge to La Ceiba, Honduras. The trucking and barge travel is all donated by Dole Fruit. The trip on the barge takes several weeks and once they arrive they are sorted and put on another boat that travels from La Ceiba to Puerto Lempira. In February, the team arrives by small aircraft to Puerto Lempira, sort the glasses and medication, set up the eye clinic and work for the next 2 weeks.
Dr. Gifford volunteers weekly for a community program called New Horizons. New Horizons is a mentoring program aimed to provide positive role models to middle school students in the Pilsen community. Pilsen ranks second among Chicago’s neighborhoods for the percentage of adults (56%) without a high school degree, and nearly one of out of three students in Pilsen drops out of high school. Also, gang presence in the area exposes students to violence on a regular basis. New Horizons is an early intervention program that serves at-risk middle school students. With the support of a mentor, every student is exposed to a variety of new and exciting experiences that challenge and engage the student in academic and social activities. By establishing one-on-one relationships, mentors will be able to support the student on their journey to high school, ready to perform at his/her best. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a mentor please contact Xavier at Gads Hill Center (312) 226-2747 In January 2011 Dr. Gifford and the Red Eye staff spent a day giving the kids at Gads Hill Center vision screenings. Approximately 20 kids received brand new glasses donated in full by Red Eye. Blind Service Association (BSA)
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