A few months ago we applied for a grant from the Sierra Pacific Synod (our local 'branch' of the national ELCA). The grant criteria was open ended, gushing with flexibility and creative submission opportunities. So we focused on what was incredibly important to SF CARES: Our regular Vision Events where we offer free eye tests and free prescription glasses to anyone that literally walks in off the street. The first few dozen that sign up for our events (first Tuesday of every other month), by a first come first served set up, are usually lining down the street and patiently waiting for Saint Paulus's church doors to open. Hosting our events for many years at Saint Paulus has given us the freedom to create our Vision Events on zero budget and we're well known amongst our city, and by healthcare professionals that refer their patients.
On the day of each event, the program is simple: Line up, sign up, sit down, wait, receive an eye exam and within two weeks, we'll call you to come in and pick up your glasses.
The results fill our hearts with so much joy when people knock on the door, excited to collect their glasses. The awe that they can finally see once again, the adrenaline of not being reliant on others because of their poor vision is incredible and the thank yous are always in abundance. We also respond with 'Don't thank us, thank God.' And they do.
Knowing how critical our Vision Events are to our community, and after giving the gift of sight to thousands over the past few years, we wanted to expand our program so we hit the send button, submitting our application to the Sierra Pacific Synod.
Towards the end of last month, we received an email from the Synod that we'd be hearing shortly with a yay or nay to our application. Today, an outstandingly glowing email arrived that SF CARES would receive a healthy cash grant. This would go towards expanding our Vision Events to monthly occasions and serving even more people that can barely afford food, never mind the luxury of prescription glasses.
This is the first time Saint Paulus and SF CARES have applied for a Sierra Pacific Synod grant. To be the recipient of financial support is phenomenal because as we give hope to our locals, the Synod has injected even more hope back into our goal of paying forward to those that simply want to see...and deserve to.
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