News

Children’s Eye Foundation recognized for Excellence in Communications

The Children’s Eye Foundation was named the winner of the 2011 Excellence in Communications, in Honor of Robert Miller award, by the Center for Nonprofit Management, Dallas. The honor, which included a $5,000 gift and a beautifully engraved Tiffany plate, was presented to foundation president, Bill Gibson, PhD during the center’s A Night of Light event, on Nov. 11, at the Hilton Anatole hotel.

The award recognized the foundation’s communication efforts for its ‘little ambassadors’ program. Through the use of video stories, parents and children are able to share their gratitude and raise awareness about the need for early detection and treatment of eye disorders in children.

Other finalists in the Excellence in Communications award were the American Red Cross Dallas and Metrocare Services.

“Our little ambassadors program helps give a voice to children with vision disorders and helps parents to share their appreciation for their pediatric ophthalmologist. When a child is diagnosed with a vision problem like amblyopia or strabismus, it can be very disruptive for a family. The little ambassadors program provides support for families at a time when they most need it. Many of the parents who are anxious or concerned when they received a diagnosis end up advocating for children’s health once treatment has concluded and we provide them the tools to become advocates,” says Thomas Rogers, Children's Eye Foundation executive director.

The little ambassadors program is one of many initiatives the Children’s Eye Foundation has developed to help raise awareness about the need for early detection and treatment of eye problems in children.

Photo - From left to right are: Elise Longpree, community relations manager at The Dallas Morning News; Dr. Bill Gibson, president of the Children’s Eye Foundation; Robert Miller, The Dallas Morning News business columnist; and Brent Christopher, president andchief executive officer of Communities Foundation of Texas.