Giving Back in the Bahamas
National Vision is proud to support a variety of organizations in their efforts to provide eye care to those in developing countries who otherwise may not be able to afford it. It makes us even prouder when one of our own employees decides to help people abroad. During a recent trip to the Bahamas, Sandy Sullivan helped people on the islands by delivering 400 readers and 70 sunglasses to those in need.
Sandy first traveled to the Bahamas in 1996. She instantly fell in love with the beauty of the islands and knew that she wanted to continue to vacation there for years to come. The immense kindness and humility of the Bahamian culture is another reason she has continued to travel back year after year.
As Sandy explains, “The locals were always so pleasant to talk to and helpful with any information anytime you needed.” Sandy even had the opportunity to meet a Bahamian woman named Hazel, who worked in the straw markets. Hazel became like family to Sandy and gladly babysat her daughter and her cousins while on many family vacations.
Hazel’s only source of income was working in the straw market. She would work all day with her hands, weaving baskets and handmade straw crafts to sell just to provide for her family. This made a lasting impression on Sandy – not only because of the pride she took in her crafts, but the fact that locals like Hazel had such few options for making money for their families.
Sandy started working for National Vision in 2008 and in that time, she has seen our efforts to give back to the community through charity events, donations and philanthropic work, locally and internationally.
When the opportunity presented itself for Sandy to travel back to the Bahamas this year, she knew that she needed to give something back for all of the wonderful experiences she had had while visiting this beautiful country.
Sandy contacted a friend of hers, Alan Kates, who is the Director of AEG Worldwide in the Bahamas. He contacted the Minister, who steered her in the right direction. She was able to talk to Mellany Zonicle, Director of the Office of Social Services, about making a donation from National Vision. Melanie was ecstatic to learn about the donation because of the many elderly and poor families on the islands.
Thanks to one of our partners Restoring Vision, Sandy was provided with the requested readers and sunglasses for her trip.
Once in the Bahamas, Sandy met with Maria Kelly and Wrensworth Butler from the Office of Social Services and presented them with the donation from National Vision. They were so thankful and already had over 350 recipients waiting to receive the readers!
What an amazing story. We’re very proud of Sandy’s efforts and are even more proud to call her a National Vision associate.
Jessica Altamirano
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