Giving Back in Punta Cana
Nothing makes us prouder then when one of our own employees decides to help others abroad. That’s exactly what Lena Shafie, General Manager of America’s Best Store 5527 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, did when she went on vacation over Memorial Day weekend. Here is her story:
Preparing to go to Punta Cana
When Lena booked her vacation to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, she knew she wanted to do more than just relax on the beach. Although she had never been to Punta Cana or the Dominican Republic before, Lena knew that the need for health services was great there and felt compelled to help in any way that she could. Given Lena’s tenure in the optical industry, she felt it was only appropriate that she help the optically underserved.
Lena first reached out to Pack For a Purpose, a nonprofit organization that assists travelers who want to take meaningful contributions to the destinations they visit. Pack For a Purpose put Lena in contact with Groupo PuntaCana Foundation in the Dominican Republic. Also a nonprofit organization, Groupo PuntaCana Foundation would be in charge of distributing the donated glasses to those in need. Our partner, Restoring Vision, provided Lena with a glasses pack of 300 readers and 100 sunglasses, and we covered the cost of the pack.
Trip to Punta Cana
On May 27, 2016, Lena traveled to Punta Cana with two friends. She packed the glasses pack in her luggage and paid the $25 fee to check the luggage. Everything seemed to be in order and Lena would have never guessed what would happen upon her arrival in the Dominican Republic.
Lena and her friends went through customs and as expected, she was asked to place her luggage on the carousel. When the customs officers saw the glasses in her luggage they took Lena into an interrogation room. For the next two hours Lena had to answer questions about the origin and purpose of so many glasses. She also had to present a translated letter from Restoring Vision explaining that the glasses were to be used by mission groups in Punta Cana.
It was obvious that the customs officers were not going to make this an easy process, but Lena never gave up. She answered every question until they finally allowed her to leave the airport with her glasses pack!
Lena met someone from Groupo PuntaCana Foundation at her hotel and presented the donation of readers and glasses. Those glasses have already been dispensed to those in need in remote villages in the Dominican Republic.
About Lena
Lena has worked for National Vision for almost 8 years. She came to us with an extensive background in optics and started as an Assistant Eyeglass Manager in one of our America’s Best stores. She was promoted to General Manager in 2014 and is American Board of Opticianry (ABO) certified.
Lena is a proud alumni of California State University, Fresno. She has attended MEP 101 and 102 and is excited to be attending LEAD: Unlock the Power of You this November.
Pictures from Punta Cana
Jessica Altamirano
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