Fifth Annual Event

Fifth Annual Fundraiser

“Delicious food and a really good time” are just two descriptions from attendees of The Eye Institute’s FIFTH annual “Looking Out for Kids” (LOFK) charity fundraiser. On the evening of November 5th, the Hafter Student Center on the Elkins Park campus of Salus University set the scene for the charity fundraiser. The LOFK event raises funds to help provide vision care services and eyeglasses to uninsured and under-insured children in Philadelphia and its surrounding communities.

Co-hosts, Moise Fokou and Joselio Hanson of the Philadelphia Eagles, mingled and posed for photos with guests. TEI’s own Dr. Andrew Gurwood served as the evening’s emcee, encouraging guests to bid on silent auction items while enjoying a full buffet. “The food is always excellent, high quality and done extremely well,” Dr. Daniel Abramowicz, from corporate sponsor, Crown Holdings, Inc., said. First time attendee Eva Grider agreed. “The food was awesome,” she said.

The enjoyment of the evening increased when a natural competition developed between attendees bidding on the same items during the silent auction - a highlight of the festivities. “One thing that stood out to me this year was the variety of the silent auction items - there were some very unique pieces,” Brett Moore, student volunteer for the past two years, said. Dr. Abramowicz, who has attended the event since its inception in 2007, agreed. “The quality of auction items is always neat and there is always something for everyone, including sports memorabilia, art, theatre tickets, dinner gift certificates and other gadgets,” he said.

This benefit has grown into The Eye Institute’s most successful fundraising initiative to date. “I really enjoyed the evening and the cause,” Dr. Abramowicz said. “I couldn’t say more about the event and how fun it was.”

The ability for TEI to provide vision care services to uninsured children depends on the success of this annual fundraiser. The 2011 event was very successful, but there is always more that can and should be done.

Thank you for your generous support and sponsorship. All proceeds provide vision care services and eyeglasses to underserved children.

Photos by John Dolores Photography and Ayana Simmons