Party Pictures - 50th Anniversary Celebration

The weather and ambiance were perfect on September 18th for guests attending our 50th Anniversary Celebration and Wine Tasting at Julia Hopping's home in Bethesda. Sipping and supping, spending time with old friends and new, talking with Ambassadors from countries where IEF has programs and at the same time raising money for the newest sustainable eye clinic currently underway in Managua, Nicaragua.

A wonderful way to celebrate 50 years of preventing blindness and saving sight in the developng world.

Photos courtesy of long time friend and supporter

of IEF - Jo A.S. Carpenter

50th Anniversary Celebration Update

IEF will celebrate 50 years of Saving Sight Worldwide on Sunday, September 18, 2011 at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Hopping in Bethesda, MD. As this will also be the Ambassadors' Wine Tasting, ambassadors from countries where IEF is active will be joining in the celebration.

We are very pleased that David and Helen Choi of Pearsons Wine and Spirits of Georgetown will be offering a selection of fine wines for tasting. With hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction the afternoon promises to be one you won't want to miss.

Reservations are $100 per person and may be made online at the IEF website or by email. Sponsorships are also available, contact Calvin Baerveldt.

Reservations

Sponsorships or Further Information

IEF Celebrates 50th Anniversary - The Beginning

International Eye Foundation is celebrating its 50^th anniversary! In 1961, Dr. John Harry King, Jr., a corneal transplant pioneer founded the International Eye Bank under the arm of CARE/Medico at the urging of Dr. Tom Dooley, the missionary in Thailand. After a distinguished military medical career, Dr. King retired as Chief of Ophthalmology at the Walter Reed Army Hospital and focused entirely in promoting corneal transplant surgery and urging Lions Clubs to build eye banks around Washington, DC. Dr. King soon realized however, that much of the blindness in the developing world was preventable and much could be done before people became blind. He changed the name to the International Eye Foundation (IEF) in 1965 and the mission focused on prevention of blindness and primary eye care.

Read more

IEF Recognized for 50 Years Saving Sight Worldwide

The International Eye Foundation was honored to receive a citation from Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley recognizing the outstanding work of the organization over the past 50 years. The citation highlights IEF's "...dedicated efforts to prevent blindness and restore sight worldwide, especially in developing countries...with congratulations on the occasion of your 50th Anniversary; and as the people of Maryland join in expressing our high regard and sincere appreciation for your success as a global leader in sustainability programming for eye care..."

Additionally, US Senator Benjamin Cardin sent a letter congratulating IEF on its 50th Anniversary. Senator Cardin wrote "I would like to thank you for all you have done to help save the sight of millions of people threatened by blindness."