Our Commitment to Giving
It starts in our own locality. We truly value our neighbors and do our best to use our skills to make sure those who need eye care get it. We partner with and support many local non-profits and constantly search for ways to give back.
This commitment to giving extends to Cascadia Surgical’s ambulatory surgery center, where we’ve dedicated a specific portion of our budget every year to performing surgeries without payment for people in need.
Free Vision Clinic 2024
We feel fortunate to be able to share our expert vision care services for the un- and under insured at our own yearly local free vision screenings. We partner with EyeWitness Missions, Cascadia Eyewear and North Cascade Cares, a ministry of North Cascade Seventh-Day Adventist Church to offer vision screenings and basic care, and diagnose medical conditions for future care. We also give those who need them also receive a free pair of prescription glasses. Our staff donates their time and expertise and consider it an honor to serve – in 2023 we treated over 150 people in two days.
22nd Annual “Excellence in Education” Scholarship
Our team takes joy in reaching out to our young people. Our Excellence in Education scholarship has been going strong since 2003. We award the scholarship to two winning candidates, and are thrilled to support their future through helping provide education with an eye to the next generation. In fact, in 2024 we have upgraded our scholarships and increased the award to $1,500 each to winning students with:
1) a GPA over 3.25
2) graduating from the following local areas
- Skagit Valley/North Snohomish County (includes Camano Island)
- Whidbey Island/Island County (not incl. Camano Island)
3) plans to study in any field/major at a university, college, or trade school.
22nd Annual “Excellence in Education” Scholarship Winners, 2024:
EyeWitness Missions
From the beginning, our doctors have made it a priority to serve both our local region and our larger community. In 2014, Dr. Siapco, Dr. Pereira, and their team created a full-fledged non-profit organization to battle global blindness; Eyewitness Missions. With support from companies and organizations like Alcon, AmeriCares, and OneSight, as well as community members like you, Eyewitness Missions’ international mission trips provide eye care for those who don’t have ready access to it.
Missions to needy countries are some of the most fulfilling projects of the practice, but we continue to bring that same passion to meeting the needs of the people close to home. If you want to join us in our quest to go above and beyond mere eye care, think about bringing some of your old glasses or used contacts to any of our locations.
Update: Greetings from our latest mission trip: Philippines, March 2024:
Dr. Pereira and Dr. Siapco, along with their dedicated team, worked hard, bringing hope and healing to the community. In just three days they completed an incredible 60 cataract surgeries, transforming lives and restoring sight for those in need. We’re grateful for the smooth progress in the operating room and for the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
Partnerships
Lions Club
Each location of Cascadia Eye collects eyewear donations on behalf of the Lions Club, so that glasses you no longer need can land in the hands of someone who does. Every year, we are privileged to see these donated glasses go where they are most needed.
As part of Cascadia Eye’s mission to help people in our region who find themselves in need, Dr. Pereira and Dr. Siapco – along with Cascadia Surgical‘s staff have also taken boxes of glasses, carefully catalogued by prescription, to give to people who have no access to eyewear.
Eyewear partners
Cascadia Eye is proud to partner with and support many different eyewear distributors that have their own initiatives, for example:
Cascadia Eye sells Cascadia Eyewear’s “Rebel” sunglasses, reminiscent of the Ray-Ban “Wayfarer”. The distributor for this frame donates 100% of their profits to supporting travel and league costs for young people so they can afford to compete with the North County Alliance Football Club, based in Bellingham.
Cascadia Eyewear has also created “CATS” – a special line with beautiful frames, whose profits are donated to benefit non-profit agencies that make it their mission to help save and improve the lives of local cats, like the the Whatcom Feline Alliance, NOAH, and others. May your life be filled with purrs and love and may your vision be enhanced with Cascadia Eyewear!
More Local Partnerships – Fall 2024
- MVHS Football Booster Club 2024/25
- Skagit Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services “Fall into Awareness” evening, Oct. 15.
- Legally Blonde, Nov 8-24, at the Lincoln Theater. Look for our Cascadia Eyewear aviators!
- Free Vision Clinic, Oct 25 & 27, at North Cascade SDA Church, 800 Peacock Lane, Burlington. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.
Recycling program
It is important to the doctors and staff at Cascadia Eye to do our part in protecting the environment. That is why we take part in Terracycle’s contact lens recycling program.
Through this program, we receive used or expired contact lenses, contact lens blister packets, contact lens cases, and caps from contact solution bottles and send them to be recycled correctly. For more information about why and how this is done, visit our blog on the topic: Contacts and Plastic Waste.
To help us keep plastics out of the oceans, we welcome you to bring any brand of contact lenses, contact lens blister packets, contact lens cases or contact lens solution bottle caps to any of our offices–regardless of whether you are one of our patients.
Contact Cascadia Eye
If you would like to learn more, or if you would like to schedule an appointment or consultation with our talented doctors at Cascadia Eye, please contact us today. You may also pre-shop for glasses at our online pre-shopping page any time. Our entire team is committed to protecting and improving your vision and the health of your eyes. We are happy to answer any questions you might have!
In addition, join us on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube to ask your questions about eyes, exams, and our practice. We’d love to hear from you – and there might be a blog to address your questions in the future.
