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Clinic Blog: Fishkill 2 Clinic Blog

August 9, 2010

Our Day Off in New York City

By vreyes

The team took the train to NYC. We had many first timers in the Big Apple. It was an experience of a lifetime. The weather was amazing and the sites were extraordinary. We arrived at Grand Central Station togther and split off in two teams. We covered much ground in this busy town. We took the ferry to Staten Island, saw Ground Zero, Wall Street, the M&M Store, Radio City Music Hall, Times Square and Central Park.      

August 9, 2010

Camp Mariah

By vreyes

Camp Mariah is a camp for the talented and gifted. We were able to see 188 kids. 

Words from the Team:

We have been so fortunate to have incredible volunteer support in Fishkill from our corporate donors. These companies not only give financially and gifts in-kind, but they also give the gift of their time. In week one, we were lucky to have volunteers from TopCon, Fulcrum, Gerber Coburn, Seiko Optical , Permasteelisa and Combined Insurance. These volunteers pitched in with every aspect of the clinic – from visual acuity testing to frame selection … registration to auto refraction. Our team had a blast with these vendors. We hope they had fun giving the gift of sight to the kids of the Fresh Air Fund!

The Fishkill Clinic also got an amazing visit from Elliott Masie. Elliott is a national leader in training and development and holds an 1,800 person conference on the subject each year. Elliott visited our clinic to get a taste of our unique corporate philanthropy model. He met with kids and interviewed volunteers in preparation for his conference in October at which OneSight will be recognized as their annual charity of choice. Thanks for the great visit Elliot! 

-Meghan Cummings

August 9, 2010

Camp ABC

By vreyes

This all girls camp was special. The view was gorgeous overlooking the lake and the shadows of the trees hovering over the camp. The group produced 109 pairs of glasses which was the most we did in a days time. We were fortunate enough to clean and label the frames and had just enough time to dispense to the young ladies during their dinner. Each tribe came up to the dispensing table and the OneSight Team was able to provide the beautiful gift of sight. 

Words from the Team:

Today was day 4 of the clinic. We were at camp ABC today which is a camp for all girls, ages 8 to 15.  Today was the first day I got to work on the vision van.  It was great to be on the van working with the kids. I got to see kids picking out their style of frames and their expressions coming out from visiting the doctors. Some were happy to find out that they didn’t need glasses. Others were actually disappointed to find out that they didn’t need glasses. Most though were pleased to find out that would be getting new glasses, and that they would get them tomorrow when they were leaving to go home. 

There was one experience that I will be remembering for years to come. One girl, Brittney, came out from seeing the doctor and was so excited to find out that she would be getting a new pair of glasses. Britney was jumping up and down, hugging the doctor, and couldn’t stop smiling. Seeing this I was moved to get her the glasses as soon as I could. I asked our great lab team to put a rush on her glasses and to hand them to me when they were finished. I then asked one of the counselors at the camp to see if Brittney could be brought back on to the van. When she arrived at the van, I presented her with her new glasses. She immediately put them on and began jumping up and down and smiling from ear to ear again. I then pointed out the people in the lab who made her glasses, and she went up there and hugged each of the lab techs. Her smile and her genuine happiness is what this experience is all about.

- Rob Strotman

August 5, 2010

Camp Tommy

By vreyes

Camp Tommy was the 3rd camp at the Fresh Air Fund that the Vision Van visited during our 2 week journey. This camp is an all boys camp ages 8-12. Each member of the Team was able to find an empty seat at lunch with the different groups at Camp Tommy.  They were very polite and welcoming. We were able to get 138 young men through the line. The group winded down with some outdoor activities after work. The awesome counselors assembled our gear for some nail biting, heart pumping tree climbing! The pictures reveal all!

Words from the Team:

Today, a young boy came through the visual acuity station. We could tell something was amiss… he was clearly making up letters that were not correct.  Although a bit confused by his actions, we encouraged him to finish the pre-test area.  It was determined he did not need glasses and he seemed very disappointed.  The volunteer asked him why he was so upset.  He admitted that he knew he didn’t need glasses, but his little brother at home did.  He was hoping we would prescribe him glasses so he could give them away.  Despite their difficult backgrounds and home situations, these kids are so giving. 

– Meghan Cummings

 

August 4, 2010

Camp Hayden-Marks

By vreyes

The day began with the cheers of several villages trying to outdo each other on who can be the most spirited. We followed them to an anticipated pancake and bacon breakfast. Hayden-Marks is specifically for boys ages 8-12. The guidance counselors did an amazing job routing their group through the line. They did not hesitate to help with anything we needed. Today, volunteers from Luxottica and TopCon arrived to lend a helping hand. We appreciate their commitment and dedication to OneSight and providing the tools to make the foundation truly successful. 

Words from the Team:

Today was a very long, but rewarding day.  The day started very early with the Fishkill team eating breakfast with the children @ Camp Hayden Marks.  The children and counselors gave the team a very warm and hearty welcome.  Immediately after breakfast , the team hit the ground running.  Today, I learned how to use both the 7E Edger, tracer, and blocker.  It was amazing!  Rob Strotman and I were responsible for manufacturing glasses.  We kept the pace and manufactured 90 pairs of glasses!  Wow, I am so grateful for this experience and the opportunity to help these children see.

- Cara Mousa

Today there was a kid named Marcus that was really interested in the van driver. When Dawn walked into van I introduced Marcus to Dawn (our wonderful leader and driver).  Dawn asked him if he would like to come with her to the front of the van and check it out.  He was so excited and happy when he left.  He was full of smiles turned to Dawn as he was walked out door and gave her a huge hug.  We also helped a counselor with a big prescription and broken glasses today.  He was very thankful. 

- Cory Stegall

At registration today, a ten-year-old came through wearing a Harvard university t-shirt. Jokingly, I asked if he graduated from there. He quickly replied, “Not yet. But I will someday.” These kids never cease to amaze me with their ambition and determination. They have unlimited potential. To think our team, in some small way, can be part of their success is simply amazing.

– Meghan Cummings

August 3, 2010

Camp Hidden Valley

By vreyes

Our Fishkill journey began Sunday, August 1. We were greeted by OneSight Coordinator, Dawn Yager and Team Lead Maria Collora. We arrived at the Fresh Air Fund to see tall luscious trees, picturesque lakes, prancing deer and the Vision Van. The camp is divided into five different camps, Camp Hidden Valley, Hayden- Marks, Mariah, Tommy, and ABC each with their own personality. The group arrived at their cabin and settled in their bunkbeds to be serenaded by the sounds of the forest.   

The following morning we ate breakfast with the children of Hidden Valley, noticing how well the children follow the cafeteria rules and cleaned up after themselves.

With the fabulous team effort among local volunteers and our vendor partners, Seiko and Gerber Coburn, we were able to assist 117 children. We had several recipients with high prescriptions that we will be able to manufacture at our Knoxville facility. The typical flow of a clinic is 1 registration, 2 Color and Depth 3 Acuity Test 4 Auto Refraction 5 Tonometer; if glasses are needed based on the exams listed, we will determine if glasses are needed and those children will be sent to the Vision Van to see the doctor and pick out a frame. The Team rotates responsibilities daily and really use their skills and partnership to train and mentor each other. 

The Optronics edger had a malfunction during the day and we had to stop production. Luckily, a volunteer who happened to work for Gerber Coburn, was able to identify the problem and resolve the issue. Thank you Juan. 

We closed the night with a fabulous chicken dinner with the kids and counselors. Lights must be out by 10pm so the team caught some sleep from a 1^st busy day of the Fishkill Clinic.

Words from the Team:

Today was full of energy, helping kids and fun. One of the first kids we helped was interested in what we were doing with the pupilometer.   We let him look through it.   It was very cool. Shot out to Juan from Gerber.  He helped us in the lab. Thank you!   It’s really awesome to see volunteers , vendors,  and employees from all over North America come together for one really great common cause.

- Cory Stegall

July 27, 2010

OneSight Fishkill New York Clinic August 2010

By vreyes

Hello!
Well, if you're interested in virtual participation in our upcoming OneSight Clinic to Fishkill, New York, you've landed on the right blog! Our team of 16 volunteers and affiliated doctors will spend two weeks providing complete eye exams and recycled glasses to thousands of children who could not otherwise afford to see the world clearly.

Each day, right here on this very page, we will be posting highlights from our vision care Clinic including stories of our recipients, the team experience and a little about Fishkill itself. We land in New York on August 1st and will be posting messages and photographs through August 14th. Be sure to log on every day so you don't miss a minute of the excitement! And, if you’re interested, our team is also raising money to help fund our Clinic. Make your donation to our team today!

Here's a little background about OneSight and our Global Clinics: OneSight is a family of charitable programs dedicated to improving vision through outreach, research and education. Sponsored by Luxottica Group, OneSight programs have helped more than 7 million people over its 20-year history.

Each year, OneSight conducts two-week clinics in developing countries where our doctors and trained volunteers provide free eye exams and recycled eyewear to thousands of people in need. To date, we’ve run 175 clinics in 35 different developing countries. This year, we have planned 20 clinics in developing countries around the world. For a complete list of Clinic locations, visit www.onesight.org.