After Fire, Van Donated to Local Non-Profit

One thing was certain, Spectrios Institute for Low Vision was going to need a new program van.
The old van had seen better days. With close to 200,000 miles on the engine and an oil leak, the small non-profit realized it was on its last legs. Early planning and development ideas to raise funds to purchase a new vehicle had just begun when the unthinkable happened: the van caught fire.
“At first I thought I was smelling food, or burning leaves,” said Leslie LeResche, Seeing is Believing Children’s Program Manager. “Then I realized the van was filling with smoke!”
Luckily, no one was hurt. Leslie and Dr. Mary Jordan (Lead Doctor, Seeing is Believing) were able to pull off to the shoulder and exit the vehicle. When the smoke cleared, the culprit was easily identified as the rear window wiper motor. After pulling the motor and airing out the vehicle the team was able to complete the trek from Southern Illinois to Wheaton. The timing of the fire was terrible. School was in full swing and clinics for 400 vision impaired children throughout the state of Illinois were on the books. Without a vehicle to transport the doctor and the equipment, they would need to be canceled.
According to Diane Levine, Vice President of Development, this was a significant blow. “It takes time to run a successful campaign for big ticket items. To get a new vehicle, we would need to identify a dealership who was willing to work with us as a matching partner or major donor. Vehicles aren’t cheap. The fire really put us behind the eight ball.” Furthermore, 2016 had brought deep cuts to federal, state and county grants which left the organization stretching to make ends meet. “We recognized the need to seek out new sources of funding, and were in the process of doing so. When the call came in about the van fire, there was an immediate sense of urgency…and concern.”
When Chicago White Sox Athletic Trainer Herm Schneider heard the news he knew he had to act. He first learned about Spectrios while working with Spectrios Executive Director, R. Tracy Williams, who has been the team’s eye doctor for 30 years. As an Honorary Board Member of Spectrios Institute Herm understood the importance of the Spectrios mission and programs. He reached out to South Oak Dodge in Matteson, IL for assistance. It was a natural partnership. Garrett Guest, Vice President of South Oak Dodge, spent a number of years playing for the Warthogs, a minor league team who sent many players on to play for the White Sox. During his time in the minors Garrett had an eye exam by—yup, you guessed it—Chicago White Sox team eye doctor, Dr. R. Tracy Williams.
“When Herm and Garrett called and told us we would be getting a brand new van, it felt like Christmas came early,” stated Dr. Williams. “This generous donation means we can continue our mission of serving vision impaired children throughout the state without interruption. We are so thankful to Herm Schneider, Garrett Guest and everyone at South Oak for making this possible.”
Once the paperwork was completed the van was sent to Element Graphics and Design for a vehicle wrap. Spectrios hopes the state of the art design work will help spread the word about their programs and mission. “Our Seeing is Believing Program serves over 400 children with vision loss, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” explained Elizabeth Loan, Director of Community Relations. “Many people don’t realize we offer comprehensive low vision care, occupational therapy for vision rehabilitation, technology training, job site evaluations, a bioptic driving program, a summer camp program for vision impaired kids, support groups, workshops, Home Care Vision for people who can’t get to an eye doctor and vision services for at risk and under-served individuals. The wrap will give us another avenue to spread the message.”
For more information on Spectrios Institute and their programs contact Elizabeth Loan at 630-690-7115

www.spectrios.org

Serving People with Vision Loss for Over Thirty Years!