GOLDEN, Colo.—Optometry students Sara Lahoud and Nick Olberding have been selected as the winners of the World Sight Day Challenge Student Contest. Likewise, Kirra Denten has been chosen as the winner of the World Sight Day Challenge Vision Source Contest. All three winners will spend one week in 2011 providing support to sustainable vision care projects in a developing country. Each winner will choose the project in which they are interested from a listing of VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services for Humanity) International clinics. Winners will also receive a $1,000 travel voucher from Optometry Giving Sight to fund the cost of their trip.

Winners were chosen based on proven leadership skills in managing their World Sight Day Challenge campaigns as well as the content of their written essays. Each applicant submitted a 500 word essay describing their interest in helping people in developing countries access quality eye exams and glasses.

The World Sight Day Challenge Student Contest and WSDC Vision Source Contest are sponsored by VOSH International, Optometry Giving Sight and Vision Source.

University of Montreal students Yousra Djala (l) and Sara Lahoud

“We invited people to an unforgettable evening on Sept. 28 at the O Noir restaurant in Montreal so that they could enjoy a unique culinary experience while supporting a great cause,” said optometry student Sara Lahoud, the fundraiser's organizer.

O Noir offers guests a feast for all the senses- except the eyes. Diners eat their meal in complete darkness. There are no burning candles on the tables, not even the LCD glow of a cellphone or watch is allowed.

“In the absence of vision, ones remaining senses are heightened to savor the smell and taste of food. Guests also gained a better understanding of what it is like to be blind—just like the restaurants' entire wait staff. The event was an immense success and tickets were sold out within the first week of our promotio,” said Lahoud.

Lahoud and her WSDC campaign partner, AOSA Trustee Elect Yousra Djala raised more than $5,800 for Optometry Giving Sight.

Optometry student Nick Olberding said, “Managing the World Sight Day Student Challenge at the Illinois College of Optometry with fellow classmate Bart Higley was an enjoyable experience for a truly important cause. We first relayed messages to each class and put up several posters to notify students and faculty about the World Sight
Day Challenge.”

Illinois College of Optometry students Barton Higley (l) and Nick Olberding

ICO students used the Giving Posters that were sent in their WSDC kit to create a friendly competition between each class. Each class, 1^st year through 4^th year students, had their own poster and faculty members had their own poster as well. The students also sold T-shirts and gave a cupcake to each student and faculty member that made a donation.

“The goal was to create the largest amount of student participation and visually display how many individuals we could help as a school. We promoted the idea of a $5 donation to provide an eye exam and pair of glasses to one of the millions worldwide that lack access to an eye exam and glasses. Through this combination of techniques, and help from other class representatives, we were able to raise $2000 in one day for Optometry Giving Sigh,” said Olberding.

“Our practice has always believed in the mission of Optometry Giving Sight and this year on World Sight Day we matched donations with Optos for every patient who had an Optomap. Our office is already talking about what we can do to be more involved in the World Sight

Kirra Denten, WSDC Vision Source contest winner

Day Challenge next year, “said Kirra Denten, a staff member at Palatine Vision Center in Palatine, Illinois.

In her essay, Denten wrote about her interest in reaching out and helping others. “I believe in the calling of giving of myself so others can live to their fullest potential. Volunteering on an Optometry Giving Sight funded project would be a great opportunity to teach both my family and friends about compassion and commitment to others outside of our everyday worl,” she said.

“We are grateful for the efforts of the optometry students and Vision Source staff members who participated in both contests. These individuals have shown their compassion for making a real difference in the lives of others. We look forward to following their stories as they travel abroad next year and congratulate them all on being chosen as the contest winners,” said Vic Connors, OD, CEO of Optometry Giving
Sight, USA.

Visit Optometry Giving Sight to learn more.