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Eye Ball 2023: Celebrating 50 Years

About the Eye Ball

The Eye Ball, Lions World Vision Institute Foundation’s premier annual fundraising event, was a resounding success! On September 9th, we came together to commemorate an impressive 50 years of delivering the precious gift of sight to over 500,000 individuals. The funds generated by LWVI Foundation continue to provide invaluable sight-saving resources, benefiting our local community and reaching around the globe through a variety of programs, including cutting-edge ocular research, vision restoration, surgeon training, pediatric eye care, and vision screenings, among others.

The evening was nothing short of thrilling, filled with laughter, camaraderie, and heartfelt fundraising efforts. Our 2023 Person of Vision, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Co-Owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and President of the Glazer Vision Foundation, was a beacon of inspiration. Her remarkable contributions to the Buccaneers, the Glazer Vision Foundation, and the Tampa Bay community are truly exceptional. Under her leadership, the Glazer Vision Foundation has championed comprehensive vision correction for children in Tampa Bay. The Mobile Vision Clinic, launched in 2009, has conducted over 200,000 free eye screenings and provided more than 20,000 free prescription eyeglasses to children in need.

In 2021, the Lions Eye Institute for Transplant and Research took over the operation of the Glazer Mobile Vision Clinic, furthering its mission by distributing more than 2,200 free pairs of eyeglasses, conducting over 3,000 exams, and performing more than 4,500 free vision screenings. We were honored to recognize and celebrate Mrs. Kassewitz at this year’s special commemorative Eye Ball. Her dedication and impact are truly remarkable.

For those who couldn’t attend, you missed an unforgettable event. The disco-themed gala transported us back to our roots in 1973, featuring a lively cocktail reception, an exciting live auction, a sumptuous seated dinner, exhilarating dancing, and an electrifying performance by Tampa Bay’s very own #NoFilter. It was a night filled with nostalgia and celebration, where disco shoes were a must-have accessory.

Sponsorships and tickets were in high demand and sold out! If you missed out this time, be sure to secure your spot early for the next Eye Ball.

For more information or inquiries, please reach out to Meg Carlone, Foundation Manager, at Meg.Carlone@LWVI.org or (813) 289-1200 Ext. 715. Thank you for your support and participation in making this Eye Ball a remarkable success!

Visit EyeBall23.org to check out, make a donation, and view pictures of this year’s event.

 

Special thank you to Let’s Roam for their donation to our Silent Auction!

The Eye Ball Archives

See all the fun that we have had at past Eye Ball events!

2022 Eye Ball: It’s So Good to See You Again

Thank you so much to all who supported The Eye Ball 2022: It’s So Good to See You Again on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at the Tampa Marriott Water Street. Together, we were able to raise over $220,000 to elevate standards in sight restoration, tissue transplantation, research, and education. These funds help us ensure the 1 in 4 children in Tampa Bay who experience an undiagnosed vision problem get the help that they need through our Vision Health Programs. We are overjoyed at this achievement and grateful for the commitment of our community. More information and photos can be found at EyeBall22.org.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Thank you to  DigiBooths for sponsoring our selfie booth!

2021 Eye Ball: Home for the Holidays

Buy Local. Give Local.

The 2021 Eye Ball brought us Home for the Holidays for a night of seasonal celebrations to raise funds in support of children’s vision health. The gala was held at Lions World Vision Institute for Transplant & Research’s Ybor City headquarters and featured a tour of the Institute, a picture opportunity with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, a tour of the Glazer Vision Foundation’s Mobile Vision Clinic, and a holiday market filled with the best shopping from locally owned businesses.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                   

 

               

 

                           

 

                 

 

                  

 

                  

 

Gayle Guardo |Bouchard Insurance | Dr. Cheyenne Currall

Dr. David Ammar and Dr. Karen King | Marcia Gosline | MercuryWorks | MNX Global Logistics

Moria | PPK | Rays Baseball Foundation & Rowdies Soccer Fund

2020 Eye Ball

Each year, the Eye Ball presents a different mission-centric theme that provides an unforgettable guest experience.

The 2020 Eye Ball was our first entirely virtual gala! The event featured a #LiftUpLocal theme that supported local businesses who have supported Lions World Vision Institute Foundation in the past as well as our mission to restore sight. Each household that participated received a curated #LiftUpLocal Experience Box filled with specialty items such as spices, bath salts, a candle, a Tarpon Springs natural sponge and many more.

See What Was In The Box

2019 Eye Ball

See and Be Seen, It’s Fashionable to Care

The 2019 Eye Ball was a fashion-themed gala and a war between the famous Houses of Fashion: Louis Vision, Versacheye, Perry Iris, and Oscar de la Retina. The event culminated in a fashion show featuring visually impaired models.

Memorable Moments

Our Light of Sight Award was presented to Bryan Manning and Bradford Manning, the brothers behind the cause-based fashion company, Two Blind Brothers.

Special guest, Takeeya Woods and her family joined us at the Eye Ball. Takeeya had received her cornea transplant in August of that year.

2018 Eye Ball

An Optical Illusion

At the 2018 Eye Ball we explored the concept that things are not always as they seem. When it comes to protecting your precious gift of sight, sometimes it is easy to miss early signs of declining vision and eye disease. The event was also a celebration of our 45th anniversary of providing the gift of sight.

Justin Sight, a legally blind street magician, flew in from New York and delighted guests with his illusions. 

Memorable Moments

During the Eye Ball we highlighted our partnership with Dr. Herbert Knauf and our mission trip to Honduras. Through our Gratis Tissue Program we provided ocular tissue at no cost to 20 patients who had their sight restored.

The Eye Ball 2017

A Gala with International Vision

The 2017 Eye Ball was an international themed gala that included culturally diverse food, performers, music, and more. DJ Ravi Drums, an internationally renowned percussionist based in Los Angeles, flew to Tampa to entertain guests on his innovative drum rig.

Memorable Moments

Our Light of Sight Award

Our Light of Sight Award was presented to Stuart Sternberg, Principal Owner of the Tampa Bay Rays, and our Innovation and Research Award was presented to Dr. Benjamin Lambright, who two years later became our Medical Director after our long-time MD retired.

Dr. Benjamin Lambright receiving his Innovation and Research Award. Also pictured, Kimberly Murray and Jason K. Woody.

Story of Romina

We also shared the story of Romina and the work of Dr. Cesar Gomezperalta.

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