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September 2012
In This Issue
Live United with the Eye Bank
How Are They Doing?
Golf Tournament Review
Employee Spotlight: Althea Fogle
Reminder:

Our TD Bank Affinity Code is A3648  

 

Our United Way donation code is 5627

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Register to become an eye, organ and tissue donor today!


News and Event

 

District 22D Sight Night

October 23, 2012

 

PID Gene Polgar Fellowship Brunch

November 4, 2012

   






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Donate Through United Way!

 

September kicks of United Way's Season of Giving, a time where individuals and companies come together to donate to United Way, an organization that focuses on making the community and families "stable and thriving." The Lions Eye Bank will be kicking off our employee campaign this week and we encourage you to make sure your company has a United Way Campaign in place.

  

United Way is celebrating 125 years of giving back to the community, promoting the three tenets of youth education, financial stability and independence training and promoting healthy lifestyles. "We look forward to investing these funds back into our community and introducing our work to the next generation of donors, advocates, and volunteers" says Jill Michal, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New JerseyThere is an option to direct your donation to a charity of your choice when filling out the form. 

 

The Eye Bank needs your support to help us meet our mission mandates--don't you think everyone deserves the best eye sight possible? So do we! Your support helps the eye bank provide services to those in need from infants to seniors. To donate to the Eye Bank through United Way, please use the code 5627.

 

For more information, visit the United Way website

  

 

How Are They Doing Now?

The Eye Bank features recipient and donor family stories from time-to-time. After over 55 years of caring for donor families and recipients, we are still amazed by the miracle of sight through corneal transplantation. And, for those who do need a cornea, the greatest impact comes from hearing the personal story of someone's journey to transplantation.

We wanted to share with you how Leslie Shapiro is doing. We were first introduced to Leslie in 2010 where she shared how she balanced her theatrical career together with the demands of family life and challenging eye health diagnoses. It was when she was in the midst of the her lead role as Maria in the Sound of Music that her medical care team recommended a cornea transplant. She was able to finish that performance but not without the necessary nuisance of constant care and medication. 
 
According to Leslie, "Things are great!" In fact, Eye Bank staff enjoyed her performance in "A Little Night Music" as one of the Liebeslieder storytellers. Currently, Leslie has the role of Blanche in Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" at the Swarthmore Players Club. Says Leslie, "I still continue to teach Zumba and a class for seniors called 'prime time fitness'. This fall, you can see me performing at area churches." 
 
We wish Leslie continued good health and best wishes to her husband, Aaron and their daughter Catherine who just debuted in her first show this summer, "Mouse Talk".

 

Gift of Sight Golf Tournament

 

The 18th Annual Gift of Sight Golf Classic was held on August 13th at the Radnor Valley Country Club and was a great success! It was a perfect day to be outside enjoying the course while raising over $15,000 for the eye bank's gratis tissue program. 

 

Many familiar faces returned for the event along with eager new golfers and volunteers. All items in the auction were donated to the eye bank, and big ticket items included a stay at the Revel Resort & Casino in Atlantic City, autographed baseballs and bats from the Philadelphia Phillies and foursomes to six different courses in the Delaware Valley area. 

 

The Lions Eye Bank and Golf Committee would like to thank the volunteers, sponsors and golfers for a wonderful event. Without your help and support, we would not be able to continue to go forward with our mission and we are very grateful.

 

Tournament Chairman PDG Fred Frisch, Joe Gindhart, Tom Giacanto and Dennis Eremus

 

Congratulations To Our Winning Foursomes!

 

1st Place: Dr. Gregory Smith, Brett Smith, Matt Smith and Rick Morrison

 

2nd Place: Phillip Villari Sr., Phillip Villari Jr., Anthony Villari and Mark Zagunis

 

3rd Place: Jimmy Barkalow, Alex Barkalow, Scott Sklar and Jeff Snyder

First Place Foursome (l to r): Rick Morrison,
Brett Smith, Dr. Gregory Smith and Matt Smith 
One of our most dedicated volunteers, PDDG Bill Hansen, manning the double jeopardy gimmick
See more pictures from the tournament on our Facebook Page or our website!
Meet Althea Fogle

 

Executive Secretary and Payroll Specialist Althea Fogle recently celebrated her 26th year working at the Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Althea attended West Philadelphia High School and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in English. When she's not working, Althea enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her three children and four grandchildren. Her favorite vacation was her 25th anniversary cruise with her husband Lion Jimmy, and her dream destination is Hawaii.  

 

Committed to giving back to the community, Althea serves as Executive Director for the Mount Carmel Chapter of TeenShop, an empowerment organization for girls between age 13 and 18. The TeenShop program runs from September to June and meets for 20 three-hour sessions that range from interactive workshops to attending college tours. Althea is also President of her Senior Choir at Zion Hill Baptist Church.

 

When she began working at the Lions Eye Bank in 1986, the world of corneal transplantation was very different. Corneas were in short supply, therefore people were placed on a waiting list and outside groups (including the state police and medical residents) worked with the eye bank to make sure corneas were safely transported and transplanted. Due to technological advances and advocacy of those involved in eye banking, there is no longer a cornea waiting list and the certified  eye bank technician (C.E.B.T.) program ensures that medical professional standards are followed.

 

Althea has watched the eye bank transform and grow and was inspired to become a Lion because of their wonderful humanitarian work around the world. She is a charter member of the Wills Eye Hospital Lions Club in District 14-A and has served as a past President of her club and immediate past secretary. Additionally, Althea is the secretary for the National Ambassadors of Corneal Transplants. Althea loves being a Lion and truly understood the fellowship between Lions after her husband passed away; "Lions I didn't even know sent me cards and condolences, I was truly touched."

 

When asked why she likes working at the Lions Eye Bank, Althea says "there is nothing more rewarding than helping others, to know I play even a small part in someone receiving the gift of sight. Because of the eye bank, I have been able to meet and connect with recipients and hear how the work we do changes their lives. Also, I couldn't remember working with a better board and a staff that feels like family."

Have you read forSight yet? Click the link to check out our award winning annual publication!