The Grand Rapids Lions Club hosted the 3rd Annual Blind Dinner Date, “Through the Eyes of a Child,” on March 6, 2008 at 6:00 PM at the University Club in downtown Grand Rapids.

“Through the Eyes of a Child” allows the Grand Rapids Lions to highlight local programs and people that help children who live with vision loss, such as those listed below.

David Hooker, Honorary Chair

Dr. Mark Sheldon and Dr. Patrick Droste

All monies raised benefit:

• Cherry Street Health Services Vision Clinic
• Early vision program for children at Ken-O-Sha
• Youth programs at the Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired
• Welcome Homes outreach program
• Grand Rapids Lions Community Foundation

The “Dr. Mark Sheldon Lifetime Achievement Award” was presented to Dr. Patrick Droste.  

The award is given to an individual who has made vision improvement and vision loss elimination their passionate life’s work both inside and outside their profession.  Their dedication and unselfish contributions have made very positive impact in reducing avoidable blindness especially with those from economically challenged parts of our community.   

The Visionary of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Mark Swan honoring years of dedicated service.

The Vision in Action Award was presented to George Kremer, for years of dedicated service.

Dr. Mark Swan

Ann Hemming and George Kremer

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the many sponsors who make this event possible. We would like to thank our honorary chairs, speakers, presenters, and film makers.

We would also like to whole-heartedly thank everyone who attended, and we hope you bring a couple friends when you come back next year. With your support, we are able to fulfill our mission to serve the blind and visually impaired in our community.　　

Thank you!

Dr. Dennis Cobler and Dr. Gary Anderson

About the Awardees. . .

George Kremer is the Director of Rehabilitation Services at the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist who has provided compassionate, creative and responsive services each day of his 27 years with the agency. George is untiring in his efforts to find ways to support clients' independence and leads the staff in his ability and willingness to work harder, smarter and go the extra mile.

Dr. Mark Swan serves as the Chief of Pediatrics and Binocular Vision Service, Michigan College of Optometry and is the Chief of Optometry at St Mary's Mercy Medical Center. Dr. Swan is currently the President of the Michigan Optometric Association and despite these and many other obligations, he still finds time to be a dedicated mentor, teacher and serve in his community in humanitarian efforts with particular interest in children's vision problems.

Dr. Pat Droste has worked for the past 20 years as a pediatric ophthalmologist in Grand Rapids, devoting his life to the preservation, restoration and enhancement of vision. He serves as the president of the Michigan Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, and is actively involved in medical research and teaching. Outside the office, Dr. Droste spends countless hours screening premature infants for retinopathy of prematurity, doing consultations, and serving on call. He is heavily involved in volunteer activities to improve the vision and lives of many people and is passionate in his desire to prevent avoidable vision loss wherever possible.