Thanks to some Boy Scouts in Talent, OR, Great Shape! Inc.’s iCare project will have access to thousands of pairs of prescription glasses. In Jamaica, there is very little access to eye care and eye doctors. For the past couple of years, Great Shape!’s iCare volunteers have served thousands of people who hadn’t been able to read because they just needed a pair of glasses. The prescription glasses and “readers” are donated to Great Shape! Inc. from across the country (VOSH and Lions Clubs) and it takes months to sort and prep the glasses for Jamaica.
Teresa Contrares is the Assistant Program Manager for iCare. She needed space to store all the eyeglasses and get them organized. This proved difficult! Until…
Michael Pennington of Turning Point Physical Therapy offered a vacant space next to his clinic. Then she met Michael’s son, Travis. He was in search of an Eagle Scout project. Teresa filled out the paperwork, got it approved by the scout masters, and next thing she knew, Travis organized a team to help as well! Teresa and the Boy Scouts took 4-6 weeks sorting and organizing eyeglasses and then shipped them off to Jamaica.
Teresa has worked on the fundraising committee for Great Shape! Inc. for 5 years and has volunteered in Jamaica for 3. She began her work with the dental program (1000 Smiles) but was recruited for Great Shape! Inc.’s iCare program and things have just taken off! Teresa is busy year-round working on some aspect of this project and will return to Jamaica this Fall to help lead other volunteers on the iCare project.
Good luck, Teresa and thanks so much for all your wonderful hard work!!