Eye Care Charity of Mid-America (ECCOMA), formerly known as the Clarkson Eyecare Foundation, will hold its ninth annual “Bright Future Gala” fundraiser on Sat., Nov. 10 from 5:30 to 11 p.m. ECCOMA, which provides eye health services and products to needy children and adults, will hold its gala at the Kemp Auto Museum located at 16955 Chesterfield Airport Rd. in Chesterfield. The evening includes dinner, a silent auction, and dancing to music by the band Project 3.
Proceeds will benefit the “Care Mobile”, a specially equipped van designed to bring vision care on the road before the end of 2012. ECCOMA, along with partner The Ronald McDonald House Charities, will operate this traveling clinic in areas that have been affected by poverty or natural disaster. The van will feature two comprehensive exam lanes and an optical dispensary to enable easy eye care for those in need.
In addition to the “Care Mobile”, ECCOMA offers a variety of programs including “World Vision”, a partnership with the Pujols Family Foundation to benefit the Dominican Republic; “LASIK for Physically Challenged”, which provides LASIK surgery to those with severe physical disabilities, and; “InfantSee”, which performs free exams to infants ages six to 12 months old for early eye treatment and disease detection. The organization operates two clinics at the Boys & Girls Club of Great St. Louis where free vision care and glasses are available to
underprivileged children and adults.
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Bill Jehling, chairman of ECCOMA, is deeply vested in the
St. Louis area and helping those who cannot afford eye care services. “We created this organization in 2004 to
benefit communities that need our assistance,” he said. “If you can’t afford eye treatment or care, then we make it happen.” Jehling worked at Emerson Electric in executive management for more than 20 years, as well as served as President/CEO at Clarkson Eyecare for 12 years.
Reservations are required, and space is limited. Tickets are $150 per person, and sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Bill Jehling at (636) 778-1022 or visit the website at www.ECCOMA.org.