SEE’s Eye Opening 50 Years of Work

Society Invites reports the upcoming 50^th Anniversary of SEE International, an organization founded in our town by Dr. Harry Brown, and dedicated to sight-restoring surgeries and essential eyecare world-wide. To celebrate its Golden Anniversary, the organization is inviting the community to a formal black tie Golden Gala ball on October 24, at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. It features a cocktail hour, three-course dinner, speakers such as famed Dr. Helena Ndume (whom I have interviewed for the MJ), gala entertainment, and an after-party with dancing and more cocktails.

The Gala’s Honorary Committee Chair is Keith Moore. He shared with me via email:

“I’m glad to support SEE International and honor them in their 50^th year of service to the international community. My friend, the founder Dr. Harry Brown, was a visionary who opened my eyes to the world of vision restoration. And I’m glad to see his mission continue. As Honorary Committee Chair, I am leading our committee’s efforts to share awareness of this event and SEE’s cause to bring greater support in helping people within our community and worldwide.”

Moore’s Gala Honorary Committee members are Beverly Cavaliere, Caryl Crahan, Gary Simpson, George Leis, Hiroko Benko, Jody Dolan Holehouse, Katherine Murray-Morse, Mara Abboud, Maria McCall, and Missy Chandler DeYoung. 

SEE International President & CEO Donald Bell provided these finer details to me via email-interview on its 50^th Anniversary:

Q.Could you share about the work of SEE International for our readers?

A. Half of all blindness in the world is people who need a 15-minute surgery costing $100. For 50 years, SEE International has provided sight-restoring surgery in more than 40 countries and here at home in Santa Barbara. SEE’s work impacts patients, families, and communities and helps break the cycle of poverty caused by treatable blindness.

Our guest speaker at the Gala is Dr. Helena Ndume, SEE’s Volunteer Ophthalmologist from Namibia, Africa, who explains, “There is nothing greater in the world than witnessing the happiness of a person who was once blind, as they regain their vision.”

What is the gala’s fundraising goal, and to what needs will the proceeds be directed?

Our gala goal this year is $350,000. The proceeds go to support our programs which include SEE clinics in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, SEE International clinics, and SEE Education initiatives to train medical professionals. 

The 50^th Golden Gala is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements and acknowledge the work that remains. Your generosity and partnership are crucial in creating visibly brighter futures for patients around the world. Our healthcare services include eye screenings, comprehensive eye exams, and surgical care. This impact extends beyond the patients themselves, touching their loved ones and entire communities, and fostering generational change.”

The Golden Gala Lead Sponsor is Alcon, and key sponsors are Drs. Ilene and Jeff Levenson, Drs. Madhavi and Sundeep Reddy, David and Patricia Markoff, Genetech, The Julia Stearns Dockweiler Charitable Foundation, The Hutton Parker Foundation, CenCal Health, and the Sansum Clinic.  

411: www.seeintl.org

Founded in 1974, SEE International is a Santa Barbara nonprofit organization dedicated to providing essential eye care services to those in need and ultimately eradicating preventable blindness. To this end, SEE has served over five million people, restoring sight to more than 750,000 people in Santa Barbara and throughout the world in regions like Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and others.