Once a year, hundreds of children gripping pastel baskets dash through the hallways of the Casey Eye Institute at the Oregon Health Science University. Hunting for hidden Easter eggs, the children listen for chirping sounds coming from couch cushions and planters. The kids, many of whom wear eye patches or glasses, follow the sounds to find the eggs.
Every year, the Elks Children's Eye Clinic at OHSU's Casey Eye Institute in Portland, Ore., treats 8,000 children with vision problems and performs nearly 500 pediatric eye surgeries. The 58-year partnership between the Oregon Elks Association and the clinic goes above and beyond vision care. From sound-enhanced Easter Egg Hunts to handmade quilts, the Oregon Elks have made the Casey Eye Institute a sight to be seen.
Legacy and Vision In 1948, one in every four premature babies in the U.S. risked becoming blind. When Dr. Kenneth Swan of the Oregon Health Science University needed a piece of equipment to treat a baby whose father was an Elk, the Oregon Elks raised the needed funds. Soon after, the Oregon Elks founded the Elks Children's Eye Clinic, the first pediatric ophthalmology clinic in the country and today, the largest in the world.
"The Elks are filling the need for top-notch eye care on the west coast," says Joannah Vaughan, Elks liaison to the clinic and a member of Portland Lodge. "Their support has made the clinic's success possible."
Over the years, the Elks have donated more than $15 million to the clinic. Because of this funding, the clinic can treat the 40 percent of children who cannot afford the services. The Elks' contributions also provide eyeglasses and contacts to children in need. The support comes from local Lodges, individuals, the Elks Youth Eyes Services Foundation and annual grants from the Elks National Foundation.
"The Elks want to make sure the program is secure and will always have funding," says Vaughan. "We don't have to turn any patients away. That wouldn't be possible without the generous donations from the Elks."
A Different View Beyond financial support, the Oregon Elks give time, compassion and talent to the clinic. Elks provide 7,500 volunteer hours to the clinic each year, including greeting patients who visit the Elk Volunteer Information Desk in the lobby. The Lady Elks craft handmade quilts to give to children undergoing eye surgery. The children also receive a Casey the Elk doll that sports an eye patch and glasses. Elks throughout the state purchase the dolls, so the children can have a friend by their side in the operating room.
"It's scary for the families to hand their children over for surgery," says Vaughan. "But the parents see their child holding the quilt and doll, and they feel good. They realize this clinic is something special."
In 2005, Elk volunteers also screened 727 preschoolers for amblyopia, commonly known as "lazy eye." An estimated 12,000 children in Ore. have "lazy eye," which is reversible if found before the age of 5. Due to a lack of funds, however, schools don't have the necessary equipment or expertise to effectively perform the screenings. With funding from the Oregon Elks, Vaughan founded a vision-screening project in 2003. Vaughan trains Elks to visit Head Start classrooms in their community and conduct the screenings.
"It's great when Elks can see kids in their community and know they helped," says Vaughan. "Many of them follow up with the children or provide them with transportation if they need to go to the clinic."
A Look into the Future As the Elks outreach expands and more children are referred to the clinic, the need for a larger space exists. The Elks have contributed $1.75 million toward the future expansion of the Elks Children's Eye Clinic, including remodeling the clinic to allow for additional examination and operating rooms. Once the project is complete in several years, the clinic will be able to treat 50 percent more children. The expansion wouldn't be possible without the generosity of Elks across the state who share a vision with the Casey Eye Institute staff. Together, they show the children in Oregon that out of sight is not out of mind.
The Elks National Foundation will distribute more than $5.53 million to the state Elks associations in 2006-07. These grants will support the State Major Projects, such as the Elks Children's Eye Clinic, as well as fund other local charitable objectives. To learn more about how the Elks National Foundation partners with your state to meet the needs of your community, visit www.elks.org/enf/yourstate.cfm.