(L to R) Marina Sawatzky, Rahul Joshi and Kristine Massicotte organized WSD for the University of Waterloo School of Optometry.
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DENVER, Colo.—Optometry Giving Sight announced that students from 30 schools of optometry and pre-optometry student clubs across North America, have raised more than $40,000 as part of the 2016 World Sight Day Student Challenge, to help fund the development of optometry in underserved communities throughout the world.

Every year, Optometry Giving Sight, in partnership with VOSH International, offers three travel stipends to schools that raise the most in donations.

This year’s winners are:

The University of Montreal School of Optometry which organized a variety of activities including a bowling event, a “5-10” social event, a silent auction, as well as sales of t-shirts, wristbands and custom water bottles. Head organizer Molly Perron, along with fellow students Roxanne Arsenault, Genevieve Bourbonniere and Laura Pelletier as well as many other students, were able to raise a total of $10,000.


Optometry students from the University of Montreal wearing matching WSD shirts.
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Marina Sawatzky, Kristine Massicotte and Rahul Joshi of the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science undertook a “Dining in the Dark” event with a silent auction. During the event, participants were blindfolded during a meal to simulate what it would be like to be blind. Items for the silent auction were donated by the optometric community, local businesses and individuals.


UHCO talent show audience members cheer on their peers.
The University of Houston College of Optometry which has, for the last six years, been coordinating a Talent Show featuring students and faculty. This year the event was successfully coordinated by Christopher Lopez and included pianists, vocalists, dramatic performances and a flutist. With help from students and volunteers, 2016’s talent show was the most successful to date, OGS stated.“Our sincere thanks to the student leaders from the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA), Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (sVOSH) and the Canadian Association of Optometry Students (CAOS) for their help in making the Challenge a success each year, and to all those who participate in their fundraising activities,” said Clive Miller, CEO, Optometry Giving Sight. “This is an outstanding result that will help Optometry students in places as diverse as Nicaragua, Vietnam and Africa to gain their Degree or Diploma and provide vision care services to people in desperate need.”