Violet Eyes Optometry has donated $1,500 to Border City Connects following its annual fall frame show and sale.
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Dr. Danielle Guenet, optometrist and one of three owners of the clinic, said the yearly event doubles as a customer appreciation day and an opportunity to support a local cause.
“Every year, when we have our annual frame show in the fall. It’s like our customer appreciation event. It’s a big, fun day and everyone partakes in it,” said Dr. Guenet, who owns the clinic with Dr. Jessica Lawrence and Dr. Christy Mushtaler. “We always want to give back to the community when we can.”
The business has been hosting the sale and subsequent donation since 2012. Previous recipients have included Lloydminster Sexual Assault Services, Holy Rosary High School’s Beba Project and Big Brothers Big Sisters Lloydminster, among others.
This year, the team chose Border City Connects, a non-profit organization that provides transportation for residents travelling to out-of-town medical appointments.
“We chose Border City Connects because a lot of our patients use their services to get to Saskatoon, Edmonton and North Battleford for medical appointments, surgeries, eye injections, which aren’t just vision saving, they can be life-altering,” said Dr. Guenet.
“We hear more and more every year how many of our patients use those services and we wanted to make sure the money went to a good cause in our community that our patients use.”
Dr. Guenet noted Border City Connects has long been on their radar as a potential recipient and said it felt “amazing” to contribute $1,500 to the organization.
Dr. Lawrence added the donation wouldn’t be possible without community support.
“It’s because of the support of our community that we’re able to do this, and we’re very grateful for that,” she said.
Border City Connects interim executive director Mike Sidoryk said the organization was thrilled to be selected.
“We’re very honoured to even be considered to be their charity of choice for this project,” said Sidoryk. “It’s immensely gratifying.”
He says the services offered by the non-profit complement those provided by the optometry clinic.
“When they say it’s easier for their clients to get to out-of-town eye surgeries and medical appointments because of us, that’s very gratifying for us,” said Sidoryk. “That means what we do has meaning and has impact to this business as well as our community members.”
Border City Connects provides transportation to cities such as Saskatoon, Edmonton and North Battleford for medical services not available locally.
Sidoryk also explained the organization has been working to raise its profile in recent years.
“The board realized we need to be in the public more and show people what we’re doing,” he said. “Most of us non-profits are our own best-kept secret. It was about realizing we’re here for the community and we want to make sure the community knows who we are and what we do to help them.
“Not that we weren’t active before, but it takes years to get people to be aware of programs and projects. It’s not a simple process.”
Sidoryk added he was unaware of Violet Eyes Optometry’s annual charitable initiative until recently.
“Up until a couple weeks ago, I didn’t even know Violet Eyes did this,” he said. “We were very honoured to be selected as a charity of choice.”
The $1,500 donation will help cover operational expenses.
“This will go a long way to help with our operational costs. We have to replace tires on the vans, the fuel costs, things like that,” said Sidoryk. “Our recommended donation to take the trips is very reasonably priced, but it barely covers fuel and repair maintenance.
“We also have to remember we rely 100 per cent on volunteer drivers. If it wasn’t for the volunteer drivers, there’s no way we could provide this service. We give so much thanks to our volunteer drivers who keep this going.”
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