Sight Saving Superheroes Highlight Annual Campaign
New York, NY: The Tuesday after Thanksgiving has been dedicated as “Giving Tuesday” since its inception in NYC in 2012. What started out as a day to simply do good deeds for others has become an international movement to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity.
This marks the beginning of a month-long initiative to carry that message of generosity and giving through the end of the year. “Every gift helps us secure additional resources to support all of our mission areas – education, research, and patient care,” noted Dr. David A. Heath, President of SUNY College of Optometry. “Every donation has an impact when it is combined with the support from our entire network.”
This year for Giving Tuesday, SUNY College of Optometry encouraged people to be Sight Saving Superheroes and carry that message of giving to others in and outside the college community. The campaign began earlier in the month with social media posts featuring members of the college community who touted their own individual “superpowers” while putting out the call to participate on Giving Tuesday 2023.
When the big day arrived, a Giving & Gratitude Station was set up in the College’s Lobby Gallery encouraging students, staff, faculty and alumni to participate. Over 120 Appreciation-
Grams were written giving thanks and showing appreciation by students, faculty and staff for others within the SUNY Optometry Community. These fun and meaningful messages were sent out to deserving recipients, teams and individuals. As the day progressed, online and in person financial donations were made, and the current total has approached over 40 individual pledges and gifts totaling nearly $20,000, meeting the day’s goal! Donations could be designated to specific College causes like Diversity and Inclusion Programs, Student Clubs, Patient Care and Scholarships. An anonymous donor came forward at the onset of the day and pledged up to $5,000 in additional funds for every donation made specifically during Giving Tuesday helping to encourage others to give back.
Those who came by the Sight Saving Superhero Station could also enjoy light refreshments and don their own superhero capes for photos with signs sporting the #EyeGive and #EyeAppreciate messaging.
“Witnessing the entire SUNY College of Optometry community unite throughout the day was truly uplifting,” said Nicole Totans, Associate Director of the Annual Fund who led the initiative. “The spirit of generosity and gratitude makes us all Sight Saving Superheroes.”
Donations can still be made through the following link: www.sunyopt.edu/givingtuesday
For images of Giving Tuesday 2023 at SUNY Optometry, please visit our virtual photo album: SUNY Optometry Giving Tuesday 2023 Images
Medi Contact: Rob Rosiello, communications@sunyopt.edu, 212-938-5753
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, November 30, 2023
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About SUNY Optometry
Founded in 1971 and located in New York City, the State University of New York College of Optometry is a leader in education, research, and patient care, offering the Doctor of Optometry degree as well as MS and PhD degrees in vision science. The College conducts a robust program of basic, translational and clinical research and has 65 affiliated clinical training sites as well as an on-site clinic, the University Eye Center. SUNY Optometry is regionally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools; its four-year professional degree program and residency programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association. All classrooms, research facilities and the University Eye Center, which is one of the largest optometric outpatient facilities in the nation, are located on 42nd Street in midtown Manhattan. To learn more about SUNY Optometry, visit www.sunyopt.edu.